Albedo of Earth

The earth’s surface absorbs different energies and particles which spread throughout the surface area. However, the storage of energy and reflection mainly depend on the Albedo. The capability to reflect from the surface of earth is known as Albedo. Therefore, the environment and ecology both tend to be regulated by the Albedo of earth. The solar energy passing and amount of energy returning have been related with specific elements. Hence, ice and snow have higher reflective capabilities and are recognized as the most adoptive surface for Albedo.   

Environment and Ecology

The environment and ecology both have been played as an enabler for Albedo. The surface area of earth is now significantly changing with different ecological forces. The satellite imagery enables us to identify the albedo favoring regions on earth. As, the atmospheric elements and other natural elements of the earth surface have been diverse and distributed. The albedo is different at different regions with these all natural and constructed structures. The solar energy reflection has been associated with different objects and their internal structure . Therefore, the most reflective objects are mainly ice and snow. Grasses and vegetation fields are abundant in some areas. The environmental features and structures are present at surface areas to act as albedo for energy reflection.    

Albedo of Earth

The albedo of earth refers to the capacity of earth’s surface area to reflect solar energy. Therefore, the value of albedo is significantly different for each and every object. The different atmospheric layers of earth have been observed to promote significant energy consumptions and reflect it to the external atmosphere. Thus, the most protective aspect of albedo seems to reflect or return maximum energy in case of snow and ice. The straight and forward moving solar rays towards the earth surface is evident. Nevertheless, many other atmospheric elements prove to be obstacles. Moreover, the albedo of the earth based on observation from satellites has been found to be about 0.30. 

Figure 1: Albedo of earth (NCERT)

The value of earth’s albedo

The value of earth’s albedo has been identified with 0.30, and the other type of value diversification has been observed. The satellite images and analysis of different object specific albedo transferability has shown the different rate. Thus, the most abundant and higher value of albedo has been identified from the snow and ice. Though, the most reflective and effective aspect of the environment and ecological elements have been participating in the reflective movements of particles of the solar energy distribution system. White color shows almost 100% albedo. The pure white color has been capable of providing 100% albedo.  

Table 1: Value of earth’s albedo 

The values of albedo are described in this above-mentioned table with different elements present on the earth surface. Therefore, the deciduous trees basically have only 0.18 albedo while worn asphalt has 0.12. Moreover, the higher albedo has been identified with fresh snow about 0.80-0.90. Ocean ice and snow are commonly involved with significant albedo reflection. The radiation amount of outcomes and returning to the external atmosphere has been significant. However, the desert sand and fresh snow is the best evidence for extreme differences of albedo. 

What is albedo of earth

The earth’s albedo is nothing but the radiation returned from the earth’s surface at an insignificant rate. In the other word, the albedo is mainly the reflective solar energy that mainly comes from sunlight and then gets reflected to the outer atmosphere. Therefore, the most relevant aspect of earth’s albedo is involved with identifying significant energy extraction and implementations. Thus, the basic requirements and pivotal aspect of this albedo is clearly involved in providing greater insight into the energy stored and energy return amount. This amount has been critically and significantly allowed to estimate solar energy movements.

Conclusion 

The capability to reflect from the surface of earth is known as Albedo. The earth’s albedo is significant to the environment and ecology as well for different elementary effects. The individual elements and their elementary aspects are crucial. However, snow and ice are common two elements of earth’s surface that are highly reflective towards solar energy. While dark colored objects absorbs sunlight, the Global warming is also a result of decreased albedo effect on earth due to increase in presence of the Green House Gases (GHGs)