What is Albedo?

Albedo, or reflection coefficient, is the fraction/ratio of radiation which is reflected

back to space by an object or surface. This is also called diffuse reflectivity. This
radiation is coming from a source, like the sun. It is measured from 0 1; with 1
being the most reflective and 0 being the least.
How Does Albedo Work?
The sun emits different wavelengths of light intercepted by the atmosphere and
objects on Earth, for example. Albedo depends on this frequency of the radiation
and usually refers to the average across the spectrum of visible light. It also
depends on the directional distribution of incident radiation, or the angle at which
the light is reflected upon the surface. Although, there is an exception for
Lambertian surfaces; scatter radiation in all directions according the cosine
function. An example would be unfinished wood. White reflects all frequencies of
light while black absorbs all frequencies; thus warming it with solar energy (heat).
Albedo is important because it is used in climatology, physics, astronomy, fashion,
and a lot of other fields. Now, lets see how albedo affects the climate, ice caps,
oceans, etc.
Now, albedo takes place all around you every day. You wear black colours to keep
you warm in winter, white to keep you cool in the summer. Different features of
the earth also have different albedos (snow, ice, water, etc.). For the land and
ocean, it is typically 10-40% while snow, ice, and clouds are about 70-90%. Overall,
earths average is 30%
Earths Radiation Budget
There is also a concept called Earths Radiation Budget which helps us understand
how much energy is being received from the sun and reflected back to space.
What we have learned from this is that Earths overall temperature has risen 0.8C
since 1880 with two thirds of the warming occurring 1975 (during the
technological revolution). It tells us the net warming and cooling.
Ice-Albedo Effect
Now, one large factor affecting Earths albedo is the melting of snow and ice.
Because of its light appearance, it has a low albedo, whereas the dark ocean water
and land has a high albedo. As the ice melts, more ocean and land exposure
increases the albedo and further warms the planet called the ice-albedo
feedback.
Explain animation (polar ice melts, loop, diagram)
Pollutions Effects on Sea ice
Now, let us look how pollution plays a role into sea ice and albedo. With the
addition of pollution, which creates many greenhouse gases which affect the
albedo of sea ice (such as carbon dioxide), there is also black carbon (or soot)
created. It is created through incomplete combustion and although it creates other
problems such as human morbidity, it affects sea ice greatly even more than
CO2.
These are called aerosols, and are measured in PPM. Not all are bad however,
sulfates are lighter coloured and have a low albedo reflecting light. We have had
an aerosols that warm and cool for centuries but, in recent years, the balance has
been lopsided towards the carbon, and other warming aerosols.
The soot travels through the air currents and reaches sea ice and glaciers. Using
dry deposition, it lands on the ice which darkens it thus raising its albedo as less
light can reflect off of it. As the ice melts, you may assume the soot to disperse,
but nay; it becomes concentrated, speeding up the process of melting.
Explain animation and diagram (soot-infused ice, melting, loop)
There is also a well-accepted theory that if sea ice and glaciers continue to melt,
they may release millions of years of stored greenhouse gasses which will further
warm the planet.
Pollutions Effects on Polar Ice Caps and Glaciers
The same happens on alpine glaciers and polar ice caps. An example would be Mount
Kitimenjaro Africas highest mountain which shrank 80% in the last century.
Animation (this is the icecap from Feb. 17, 1993 Feb. 21, 2000. You can see the
melting of the mountain which was formed 11,000 years ago and never had such a
sudden change. The mountain will, supposedly, be gone in the next two decades).
Sea Ice
As you have learned by now, Albedo affects sea ice as well. But by how much has it
affected sea ice? You may be surprised.
NASA and other scientists have confirmed that the sea ice in the Arctic has declined. Its
lowest point was on September 2007 where the ice was 25% less than the previous
record set in 2005. It was also 39% lower than the climatological average since 1979
(when recordings by satellite began)
So, based on these results, what do you think the average yearly decline is since 1979?
1%? 2%? 5%? How about 10%? Correct. About 72,000 square kilometers of ice are lost
yearly! This has so many implications for ecology, industry, engineering, etc.
Animation shows the decline from 1979.
Ice Melts Effects on Land and Sea
well look at the ice melts effect on Land and Sea
As you know, polar ice caps cover a large span of area along the poles of our planets
stretching larger than continents. They are one of the largest regulators of Earths
temperature and all within in because of their low albedo and ability to reflect so much
radiation back into space. Although, as light is absorbed because of greenhouse gasses
being trapped within the atmosphere more, black carbon and other aerosols heat the
environment. This intensifies a feedback loop a warmer planet yields more ice melting
and thus, an even warmer planet.
This animation illustrates this point
Thermal Expansion and the Rising of the Sea
The melting of polar ice, and warming of our planet doesnt just affect our temperature
however. The heating causes thermal expansion of the ocean. This is the tendency of
matter to change in volume in response to a change in temperature through heat
transfer. The second of the two mechanisms contributing to sea-level rise is the melting
of major stores of land ice like glaciers and ice sheets.
This affects all of us and much of the world. For the United States, much of the
population lives on the coast which is rising 3.2 mm/year! This is twice the average
speed of the preceding 80 years!
It will also effect major ocean currents which depend on the cold water of the arctic.
Conclusion
In conclusion, albedo is an import topic which can be used in a variety of fields. You are
using it every day. Mainly, it is used by climatologists to help reduce the effects of
pollution, such as black carbon, carbon dioxide, etc. These aerosols affect ice caps,
glaciers, and ice sheets which cause sea-levels to rise, oceans to expand through
thermal expansion, and many other problems. In the end, if we continue to live the way
we are, the effects will be much worse as the average temperature has already risen
0.8C. Imagine what would occur with another degree warmer just like the
documentary we saw earlier.
Activity
Activity Begin. Turn on light bulb.
Now, lets move on to a quick activity about albedo, ice caps, sea-level rise, and
expansion. This is a simple activity which you are able to do at home.