Item: Structural Phase Changes of the Liquid Water Component in Alpine Snow
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Title: Structural Phase Changes of the Liquid Water Component in Alpine Snow
Proceedings: 2002 International Snow Science Workshop, Penticton, British Columbia
Authors:
- A. Denoth [ Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Innsbruck, Austria ]
Date: 2002
Abstract: The way free water is arranged in the complex texture of Alpine snow is measured by a series of different methods: Broadband electro-magnetic measurements ranging from radio-frequencies up to the microwave K-Band regime directly allow the detection of the geometrical structure of the water bodies; hydraulic measurements - measurements of water percolation through or water drainage off an Alpine snow cover - show a significant change of water movement characteristics which are caused by changes in the water geometrical configuration (structural phase changes) due to the natural variation in the free water saturation. Structural characteristics of water bodies included in snow are reflected by the dielectric depolarization factors, the special case of ring-shaped water inclusions is reflected by the magnetic permeability. Field measurements have been carried out in the Alpine regions of the Stubai Alps, Austria, whereby metamorphism of these Alpine snow covers is characterized by several melt-freeze cycles. It results the existence of 4 main regimes of water saturation characterized by different structural properties of the free water bodies: the pendular zone with closed isolated water bodies, a funicular zone with confluent water bodies, a transitional zone where isolated water bodies begin to merge, and a sub-regime included in the pendular zone characterized by the existence of ring-shaped water bodies. Experimental results of a twelf-year field study are presented.
Language of Article: English
Presenters: Unknown
Keywords: snow physics, electromagnetic properties, hydraulic properties
Page Number(s): 374-375
Subjects: alpine snow physics hydraulic properties
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Digital Abstract Not Available
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