POLAR-AOD and the Arctic Oceanographic Observations (AREX)

Updated 2012-08-28

The Arctic region represents a sensitive ecosystem, which is susceptible to even small changes in the local climate. Special conditions of usually high surface albedo and low solar elevations cause enhanced aerosol/cloud effects due to multiple scattering. It is suspected that this increased interaction between solar radiation and the aerosol particles/clouds magnifies their radiative impact. Thus, for a given aerosol distribution, the specific optical properties are enhanced in the polar regions. For the same reasons, results from field experiments at low latitudes are difficult to transfer to polar regions and as a consequence there is an urgent need to conduct specific measurement programs in high latitude regions. In order to improve the knowledge about the origin, transport pathways, vertical structure of aerosol physical and chemical properties as well as the impact on climate in the polar regions, a combined effort of surface-based, airborne and spaceborne measurements is needed. Therefore, this proposed project is aiming at a determination of the vertical structure of the chemical, physical and optical properties of Arctic aerosol particles, including solar radiative closure between observed and calculated aerosol properties (direct climate effect)

Time frame

Status
Ongoing
Project time span
1988 -
Data collection
1988 -
Data processing
1988 -
Data reporting
1988 -

Contact information

Contact person
- -
Address
Tymon Zielinski, Tomasz Petelski
Email
lp.adg.napoi@iksletep ,lp.adg.napoi@nomyt

Parameters and Media

Parameter groups measured/observed/modelled
Media sampled/studied/modelled
Air/aerosol

Geography

Regions studied
Svalbard
Svalbard

Data availability

Samples/specimens archived in specimen banks?
No

Methods & Procedures

Procedures and methodology used for, e.g., sampling and sample storage, sample pretreatment, extraction and analysis, including which laboratories are involved, references to methods employed, etc.

Physical features of aerosols, such as concentration, extinction coefficient, aerosol optical depth and indirectly-radiative forcing. Measurements at fixed oceanographic sections (map as above), every year between 20 June – 20 July and Svalbard region at different times of the year.

Additional Information

Is this a bi- AND multi-lateral project (i.e. a project involving cooperation between different countries)?
No
Other institutes involved in the project

Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IO-PAN) (IOPAN)

Is this project reporting to other organizations/programmes?

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