Study on snowmelt and algal growth in the Antarctic Peninsula using spatial approach

In recent times, global warming across the world is one of the major factors that triggers surface snow melting. According to the reports, climate change across the globe has a major impact on the poles, which has resulted in rapid snowmelt and red-pigmented algal growth. Because of its less sunlight reflecting characteristics, algal growth results in the rapid melting of snow. In this study, we used Landsat images of 30 m resolution to estimate the area of snowmelt and evaluate the impact of algal growth in snow reflectance in Eagle Island, Antarctic, Peninsula. Based on the analysis, it is estimated that within a span of 9 days between 4 and 13 February 2020, around 21.37% of the area of snow melted resulting in the formation of a pond of 2.13 km(2). Variation in the visible band is witnessed, indicating reduction of snow reflectance due to algal growth that leads to reduced albedo and increased warming.