Sulfate versus snowpack rates in CESM2.1.3

[wrunyu]

Hi all,
I'm using the CESM 2.1.3 model for SO2 sensitivity testing (other variables like BC, DMS, etc. are all 0), and I'm using (so4_a1_SRF+so4_a2_SRF+so4_a3_SRF)*1.29
calculating the sulfate concentration. I found that it is not the case that the higher the sulfate concentration, the greater the snow cover (FSNO).Is there a problem with the way I calculate sulfate, or is the snow cover not directly related to the sulfate concentration.

Thank in advance

 

[rrbuchholz]

Hi wrunyu,

We need a little more information about your question. What region are you looking at? What sensitivity simulations are you comparing (e.g. what is your control)? I would suggest keeping DMS and BC etc. constant, rather than at zero to look at sulfate impacts. What other emissions are you using in your model set up? Is the simulation free running or nudged?

As a first response, feedback with precipitation in the model is very complicated and would potentially be different in different regions. Also, the snow is not produced in the bottom layer of the model, so I would suggest to evaluate concentrations of sulfate in the whole atmospheric column, as compared to snow production.

Hope this helps a little.
Best,
Rebecca

 

[wrunyu]

Hi wrunyu,

We need a little more information about your question. What region are you looking at? What sensitivity simulations are you comparing (e.g. what is your control)? I would suggest keeping DMS and BC etc. constant, rather than at zero to look at sulfate impacts. What other emissions are you using in your model set up? Is the simulation free running or nudged?

As a first response, feedback with precipitation in the model is very complicated and would potentially be different in different regions. Also, the snow is not produced in the bottom layer of the model, so I would suggest to evaluate concentrations of sulfate in the whole atmospheric column, as compared to snow production.

Hope this helps a little.
Best,
Rebecca

Hello, Rebecca.

Thank you very much for your reply. My study area is the Tibetan Plateau. I will evaluate the sulfate concentration in the whole atmospheric column as you suggested.

Regards,
Runyu