The Determination of the Mass Absorption Coefficient of Particulate Matter Using Measurements of Spectral Reflectance and Impurity Mass Concentration

We propose a simple method for the determination of the mass absorption coefficient (MAC) of light-absorbing impurities in snow. It is based on the spectral albedo/reflectance measurements in combination with standard gravimetry techniques for the measurements of the impurity mass concentration in snow. The technique has been applied for the estimation of the dust MAC in snow close to the mining facilities in Kiruna (Sweden).