Elevated Levels of Black Carbon on Mount Rainier in Correlation to Wildfires

Authors

Charlie H. Henning, University of Puget SoundFollow
Bella Dunn Dias Ferreira, University of Puget SoundFollow

Faculty Advisor

Steven Neshyba

Area of Study

Science and Mathematics

Publication Date

Summer 2021

Abstract

Black carbon impacts the albedo of snow by absorbing a higher proportion of solar radiation leading to higher melt rates in snow and the development of a water resource shortage during summer months in the PNW. For this reason, the measurement of black carbon in the Cascades of Washington is an important, but under-measured property. Through sampling on Mount Rainier and analysis using the LAHM instrument, the concentration of black carbon was measured on 13 different occasions at five separate locations on Mount Rainier. After analysis the BC concentrations were overlaid with forest fire smoke trajectories to determine increased snow exposure to smoke vastly increases BC concentrations.

Award

John Gilbertson

Recommended Citation

Henning, Charlie H. and Dunn Dias Ferreira, Bella, "Elevated Levels of Black Carbon on Mount Rainier in Correlation to Wildfires" (2021). Summer Research. 391.
https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/summer_research/391

Rights

Default Rights Statement.

Publisher

University of Puget Sound