Based on the ten-year (2011-2021) measurements of the aerosol optical depth of the atmosphere, and the near-surface volume concentration of aerosol and mass concentration of black carbon (eBC) in the Barentsburg settlement (Spitzbergen Archipelago), we estimate the relationship between the contributions from different time variability scales to their total variations. It is noted that synoptic-scale variations make the main contribution (30-70%) for all characteristics. The effect of the diurnal rhythms, making up about 30%, is just manifested for eBC and concentrations of submicron aerosol. The contribution of seasonal and interannual variations does not generally exceed 10-20%.
The results of experimental studies are presented on the variability of mass concentration of organic and element carbon, of carbon isotope composition, and of elemental content in aerosol composition at the polar station “Cape Baranov” (the Severnaya Zemlya archipelago) in 2018. Statistical and comparative analysis of expeditionary data, together with the backward air mass trajectories analysis, makes it possible to estimate the degree of Arctic aerosol pollution, and the role of natural and anthropogenic sources in the formation of high latitude aerosol substances.
We discuss the specific features of seasonal and interannual variations of aerosol and black carbon concentrations in the near-surface atmospheric layer at polar station Barentsburg (Spitsbergen) during 2011-2019. Over the observation period, the diurnally average values had been 7.1 ± 6.65 cm–3 for aerosol concentration and 120 ± 131 ng/m3 for black carbon concentration. In the seasonal behavior of aerosol concentration there are a maximum in March-April and a low level of values from June to November; the black carbon concentration shows maxima in August and April. The increased black carbon concentrations (in July-October), as compared to other polar stations, are caused by the effect of local anthropogenic sources.
We discuss the results from analysis of seasonal and interannual variations in aerosol optical depth (AOD) of the atmosphere, using observations in 2011-2019 at the polar station Barentsburg (Spitsbergen Archipelago). The multiyear average values had been 0.091 for АОD (0.5 µm) and 1.28 for Ångström exponent. Fine-mode aerosol makes the major contribution (77%) to AOD and its variations. Summertime AOD maximum in July-August developed in the seasonal behavior in addition to springtime maximum. The summertime maximum is attributed to outflows, more frequent in recent years, of smokes from forest fires in boreal zone to the Arctic atmosphere. The interannual variations in AOD are, too, mainly determined by the frequency and intensity of outflows of smoke aerosol. The annually average values of AOD (0.5 μm) varied from 0.069 in 2013 to 0.116 in 2019.
Based on data of 7-year (2011-2017) measurements in the Arctic settlement Barentsburg (Spitsbergen archipelago), we discuss the seasonal and interannual variations in aerosol characteristics: atmospheric aerosol optical depth and nearground concentrations of aerosol, absorbing substance (black carbon), ions, as well as gas-phase species. For certain aerosol characteristics (especially in 2011 and 2012) we noted an anthropogenic effect of settlement, i.e., dust, black carbon, and pollutants from heat and power plant.
The results of measurements of the aerosol optical depth (AOD) of the atmosphere carried out in 66th and 67th cruises of RV “Akademik Mstislav Keldysh” (Kara and Barents Seas) and at Russian scientific center in Barentsburg (Svalbard) during polar summer of 2016 are analyzed. It is shown that the level of aerosol turbidity of the atmosphere was close to the long-term average data in arctic latitudes. The mean value of AOD(0.5 μm) obtained from shipborne measurements is 0.065±0.056 and analogous value in Barentsburg is 0.072±0.040. The smoke plumes of forest fires on the continent significantly affected the atmospheric turbidity during measurements. For example, the contribution of smoke aerosol in the mean value of AOD (0.5 μm) obtained onboard the ship is about 44%.
Since 2011, the Institute of Atmospheric Optics (IAO SB RAS, Tomsk) and the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute of the Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (AARI, St. Petersburg) conduct field studies of near-ground aerosol characteristics at the Spitsbergen archipelago (Barentsburg) in the spring and summer seasons. The following parameters are measured in the atmospheric surface layer: aerosol particle number density and volume particle size distribution; mass concentrations of aerosol and absorbing matter (black carbon); coefficients of total aerosol scattering and aerosol backscattering in the visible spectral region. The experimental findings obtained in 2011– 2015 are reported. Peculiarities of the seasonal and year-to-year variability of the aerosol characteristics are revealed. The results of investigation of the chemical composition of the near-ground aerosol in Barentsburg are discussed.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.