基于Sentinel-2和MODIS的七一冰川消融季反照率变化特征研究

doi:10.12118/j.issn.1000-6060.2025.846

Abstract

Abstract:

Mountain glaciers are rapidly melting owing to global warming. Glacier albedo is a key driver of glacial ablation. Glacier albedo plays a critical role in regional water resource management and the assessment of climate interactions by enabling predictions of future glacial evolution. Herein, the Sentinel-2-derived glacier albedo and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) daily albedo products of the Qiyi Glacier were first validated using in situ-measured albedo data. Next, the spatiotemporal characteristics of surface albedo during the ablation seasons (May-September) of 2016—2024 were analyzed. Finally, the relationships between albedo and climatic factors, surface impurities, and mass balance were explored. The key findings were as follows: (1) Sentinel-2 MSI albedo data were highly accurate. In the spatial validation, the coefficient of determination (R²) was 0.845 and the root mean square error (RMSE) was 0.035, whereas in the temporal validation, R² was 0.959 and the RMSE was 0.045. MODIS daily albedo data exhibited slightly lower accuracy but maintained good temporal consistency (R²=0.859, RMSE=0.123). (2) Ablation-season albedo exhibited significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity. Spatially, albedo peaked in the high-altitude central zone, gradually decreasing toward the margins and terminus, where supraglacial debris formed low-albedo regions. Temporally, albedo decreased from 0.66 in the early ablation season to 0.52 during the intense melting phase and then increased to 0.58 by the late season. Interannual trends showed a gradual decrease, while daily trends exhibited V-shaped variations caused by temperature-precipitation interactions. (3) Correlation analysis revealed negative relationships between albedo and daily mean temperatures and positive temperature sums, as well as positive correlations between albedo and precipitation volume and rainy days. The results also showed that impurities were concentrated at lower elevations (4450-4600 m). Moreover, the ablation-season average albedo of the Qiyi Glacier exhibited a strong positive linear correlation with the annual mass balance. This study enhances the understanding of glacial ablation processes and mechanisms, providing a theoretical basis for precise modeling of energy and mass balance in glacial systems.

Key words: Qiyi Glacier, Sentinel-2, MODIS, albedo, spatiotemporal variation

XU Xiao, WANG Ninglian, SHI Chenlie. Albedo variation characteristics of the Qiyi Glacier during the ablation season based on Sentinel-2 and MODIS data[J].Arid Land Geography, 2026, 49(8): 1560-1571.

Figures/Tables 11

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月份	日均气温/℃	日最高气温/℃	日最低气温/℃	正积温/℃·d	降水量/mm	降水日数/d
5	-0.4470^*	-0.1773^*	0.0192	-0.3521^*	0.1263	0.1402
6	-0.2783^*	-0.1078	0.1504	-0.2596^*	0.4261^*	0.4786^*
7	-0.3452^*	-0.1154	-0.0203	-0.3452^*	0.2485^*	0.2424^*
8	-0.2837^*	-0.0816	0.1702^*	-0.2844^*	0.1709^*	0.1693^*
9	-0.1156	-0.3764^*	0.0368	-0.0832^*	0.2649^*	0.0477

Albedo variation characteristics of the Qiyi Glacier during the ablation season based on Sentinel-2 and MODIS data

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