Estimation of Past and Future Mass Balance of Glaciers of Sikkim Himalaya using Energy Balance Modelling Approach and Regional Climatic Projections

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Aggarwal, Anubha^{; *} | Mandal, Anubha

Affiliations: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Delhi Technological University, New Delhi

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding Author. [email protected]

Abstract: In this study, the mass balance of Sikkim Himalayan glaciers is computed by the energy balance modeling approach using REMO and APHRODITE data. According to the present work, the glaciers show a mass balance of ~0, +0.31 and –0.32 m w. e. yr–1 for time periods 1981-1990, 1991-2000 and 2001-2005. To investigate the possible changes in the near future (2006-2049) and far future (2070-2099), REMO data under different representation concentration pathway scenarios 2.6, 4.5 and 8.5 are also analysed. For the time period 2006–2100, RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 give an average mass balance of -0.75 m w. e. yr–1, -1.04 m w. e. yr–1 and -1.4 m w. e. yr–1, respectively. The results are comparable to other studies. This study is one of the few studies carried out to estimate the mass balance of glaciers using only climate model data.

Keywords: Mass balance, Energy balance, Representative Concentration pathway, REMO

DOI: 10.3233/JCC210017

Journal: Journal of Climate Change, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 35-43, 2021