Kang Shichang introduces his laboratory. (Image from Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, CAS)

CAS President's International Fellowship Initiative allowed me to personally visit for the first time the State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Science, the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources in Lanzhou, which is under the leadership of Professor Kang Shichang, an international leader in aerosol measurements of the atmosphere and glaciological investigations.

On Aug 13 and 14, 2017, I gave two lectures to the scientists at the Key Laboratory, the first on a paleoclimatic topic of global significance and the second on communicating climate science effectively, especially in the framework of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The two lectures were very well attended, and the scientists and staff asked many questions and showed a keen interest in learning about the paleoclimatic processes that provided global teleconnections during the last ice age, as well as the IPCC process of assessing climate change science and communicating its findings effectively.

Professor Kang introduced to me the different activities at the Key Laboratory, in particular the experimental equipment. Thanks to the most up-to-date equipment and measurement devices (mass spectrometers, ICP-MS) at the laboratory, the scientists of the Key Laboratory are able to carry out world-class research and publish their results in international journals. This provides invaluable information on glaciers and mountain processes, establishes knowledge about interactions with the atmosphere, and quantifies natural and anthropogenic emissions of aerosols.

Thomas at the Touming Mengke glacier, also called Laohu Valley No 12 glacier in the Qilian Mountain range, Gansu province. (Image from Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, CAS)

I was given a first-hand look at the latest scientific results of the Laboratory which include, e.g., the measurement of impurities in glacier ice (black and organic carbon among others), that were identified as a major cause of acceleration of wide-spread glacier melting in the Qilian Shan region. These results are of principle importance to better understand and predict the global retreat of glaciers. The research at the Key Laboratory provides crucial environmental information for decision makers in China, in particular those concerned with water resource management in Gansu province.

I was also impressed by the international activity and presence of Professor Kang. Just recently he has been selected as a Lead Author of the chapter on high mountain areas in the forthcoming IPCC Special Report on Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate which was commissioned for the 6th Assessment Report of the IPCC. He will make a unique contribution to this IPCC Special Report by providing direct input of the observations carried out by the Key Laboratory and its several monitoring stations and by his scientific experience of mountain processes and changes in China.

From Aug 16 to 18, 2017, I was taken on a tour to visit Qilian Shan Station of Glaciology and Ecologic Environment. Located at an altitude of 4,124 m above sea level this required a one-day trip starting from the Base Station in Yumen City to Qilian Station. About 7 km before the station, we found that the road was washed away by the river. This required us to walk for the final stretch to the Station. Qilian Station is part of the WMO Global Cryosphere Watch network and provides crucial data that comprehensively characterizes this environment and in particular monitors the state of the nearby glacier. Measurements include runoff gauges, glacier accumulation and ablation, annual mass balance, albedo, and ice and firn temperatures. This is complemented by atmospheric measurements including the standard meteorological variables, and trace gases and aerosols.

The staff warmly welcomed us and I was given a tour of the station which was established in 1958. Since 2006, a comprehensive set of cryospheric variables has been monitored there as part of WMO's Global Cryosphere Watch.

In summary, I am most grateful for the opportunity this Fellowship gave me to learn more about the scientific activities in the leading cryospheric laboratory of China and appreciate the many international scientific contributions that are made by its staff and leadership. The visit also enabled me to strengthen my scientific and personal contacts, and to advance the future exchange between the State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Science and my institution in Switzerland.

Source: CAS