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albedo

a non-dimensional, unitless quantity that measures how well a surface reflects solar energy; ranges from 0 - 1; a value of 0 means the surface is a “perfect absorber,” where all incoming energy is absorbed, a value of 1 means the surface is a “perfect reflector,” where all incoming energy is reflected and none is absorbed.

(Top) Schematic demonstrating how sea ice and snow-covered sea ice alter surface albedo. (Bottom) Russian translation prepared by Nina A. Zaitseva for the Arctic Climatology Project Arctic Meteorology and Climate Atlas.
(Top) Schematic demonstrating how sea ice and snow-covered sea ice alter surface albedo. (Bottom) Russian translation prepared by Nina A. Zaitseva for the Arctic Climatology Project Arctic Meteorology and Climate Atlas.