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The 2009–2010 Arctic polar stratospheric cloud season: a CALIPSO perspective
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP), Vol. 11. N° 5. Pitts M.C.; Poole L.R.; Dörnbrack A.; et al. - Copernicus GmbH, 2011Spaceborne lidar measurements from CALIPSO (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations) are used to provide a vortex-wide perspective of the 2009–2010 Arctic PSC (polar stratospheric cloud) season to complement more focused measurements from the European Union RECONCILE (reconciliation of essential process parameters for an enhanced predictability of Arctic stratospheric ozone loss and its climate interactions) field campaign. The 2009–2010 Arctic winter was unusually cold at stratospheric levels from mid-December 2009 until the end of January 2010, and was one of only ...
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Available online: http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-2161-2011
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP) > Vol. 11. N° 5 [03/11/2011] . - p.2161-2177Spaceborne lidar measurements from CALIPSO (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations) are used to provide a vortex-wide perspective of the 2009–2010 Arctic PSC (polar stratospheric cloud) season to complement more focused measurements from the European Union RECONCILE (reconciliation of essential process parameters for an enhanced predictability of Arctic stratospheric ozone loss and its climate interactions) field campaign. The 2009–2010 Arctic winter was unusually cold at stratospheric levels from mid-December 2009 until the end of January 2010, and was one of only a few winters from the past fifty-two years with synoptic-scale regions of temperatures below the frost point. More PSCs were observed by CALIPSO during the 2009–2010 Arctic winter than in the previous three Arctic seasons combined. In particular, there were significantly more observations of high number density NAT (nitric acid trihydrate) mixtures (referred to as Mix 2-enh) and ice PSCs. We found that the 2009–2010 season could roughly be divided into four periods with distinctly different PSC optical characteristics. The early season (15–30 December 2009) was characterized by patchy, tenuous PSCs, primarily low number density liquid/NAT mixtures. No ice clouds were observed by CALIPSO during this early phase, suggesting that these early season NAT clouds were formed through a non-ice nucleation mechanism. The second phase of the season (31 December 2009–14 January 2010) was characterized by frequent mountain wave ice clouds that nucleated widespread NAT particles throughout the vortex, including Mix 2-enh. The third phase of the season (15–21 January 2010) was characterized by synoptic-scale temperatures below the frost point which led to a rare outbreak of widespread ice clouds. The fourth phase of the season (22–28 January) was characterized by a major stratospheric warming that distorted the vortex, displacing the cold pool from the vortex center. This final phase was dominated by STS (supercooled ternary solution) PSCs, although NAT particles may have been present in low number densities, but were masked by the more abundant STS droplets at colder temperatures. We also found distinct variations in the relative proportion of PSCs in each composition class with altitude over the course of the 2009–2010 Arctic season. Lower number density liquid/NAT mixtures were most frequently observed in the lower altitude regions of the clouds (below ~18–20 km), which is consistent with CALIPSO observations in the Antarctic. Higher number density liquid/NAT mixtures, especially Mix 2-enh, were most frequently observed at altitudes above 18–20 km, primarily downstream of wave ice clouds. This pattern is consistent with the conceptual model whereby low number density, large NAT particles are precipitated from higher number density NAT clouds (i.e. mother clouds) that are nucleated downstream of mountain wave ice clouds.
Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Free)Tags: Aerosols ; Environment and landscape ; Cloud ; Observations ; Air pollution ; Stratosphere ; Arctic
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Characteristics, sources, and transport of aerosols measured in spring 2008 during the aerosol, radiation, and cloud processes affecting Arctic Climate (ARCPAC) Project
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP), Vol. 11. N° 3. Brock C.A.; Cozic J.; Bahreini R.; et al. - Copernicus GmbH, 2011We present an overview of the background, scientific goals, and execution of the Aerosol, Radiation, and Cloud Processes affecting Arctic Climate (ARCPAC) project of April 2008. We then summarize airborne measurements, made in the troposphere of the Alaskan Arctic, of aerosol particle size distributions, composition, and optical properties and discuss the sources and transport of the aerosols. The aerosol data were grouped into four categories based on gas-phase composition. First, the background troposphere contained a relatively diffuse, sulfate-rich aerosol extending from the top of the sea ...
[article]Characteristics, sources, and transport of aerosols measured in spring 2008 during the aerosol, radiation, and cloud processes affecting Arctic Climate (ARCPAC) Project
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Available online: http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-2423-2011
C.A. Brock ; J. Cozic ; R. Bahreini ; K.D. Froyd ; A.M. Middlebrook ; A. McComiskey ; J. Brioude ; O.R. Cooper ; A. Stohl ; K.C. Aikin ; J.A. de Gouw ; D.W. Fahey ; R.A. Ferrare ; R.-S. Gao ; W. Gore ; J.S. Holloway ; G. Hübler ; A. Jefferson ; D.A. Lack ; S. Lance ; R.H. Moore ; D.M. Murphy ; A. Nenes ; P.C. Novelli ; J.B. Nowak ; J.A. Ogren ; J. Peischl ; R.B. Pierce ; P. Pilewskie ; P.K. Quinn ; T.B. Ryerson ; K.S. Schmidt ; J.P. Schwarz ; H. Sodemann ; J.R. Spackman ; H. Stark ; D.S. Thomson ; T. Thornberry ; P. Veres ; L.A. Watts ; C. Warneke ; A.G. Wollny
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP) > Vol. 11. N° 3 [03/01/2011] . - p.2423-2453We present an overview of the background, scientific goals, and execution of the Aerosol, Radiation, and Cloud Processes affecting Arctic Climate (ARCPAC) project of April 2008. We then summarize airborne measurements, made in the troposphere of the Alaskan Arctic, of aerosol particle size distributions, composition, and optical properties and discuss the sources and transport of the aerosols. The aerosol data were grouped into four categories based on gas-phase composition. First, the background troposphere contained a relatively diffuse, sulfate-rich aerosol extending from the top of the sea-ice inversion layer to 7.4 km altitude. Second, a region of depleted (relative to the background) aerosol was present within the surface inversion layer over sea-ice. Third, layers of dense, organic-rich smoke from open biomass fires in southern Russia and southeastern Siberia were frequently encountered at all altitudes from the top of the inversion layer to 7.1 km. Finally, some aerosol layers were dominated by components originating from fossil fuel combustion.
Of these four categories measured during ARCPAC, the diffuse background aerosol was most similar to the average springtime aerosol properties observed at a long-term monitoring site at Barrow, Alaska. The biomass burning (BB) and fossil fuel layers were present above the sea-ice inversion layer and did not reach the sea-ice surface during the course of the ARCPAC measurements. The BB aerosol layers were highly scattering and were moderately hygroscopic. On average, the layers produced a noontime net heating of ~0.1 K day−1 between 3 and 7 km and a slight cooling at the surface. The ratios of particle mass to carbon monoxide (CO) in the BB plumes, which had been transported over distances >5000 km, were comparable to the high end of literature values derived from previous measurements in wildfire smoke. These ratios suggest minimal precipitation scavenging and removal of the BB particles between the time they were emitted and the time they were observed in dense layers above the sea-ice inversion layer.Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Free)Tags: Aerosols ; Atmospheric circulation ; Climate ; Impact studies ; Cloud formation ; Research ; Arctic
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International Polar Year (IPY). Understanding Earth's Polar challenges : International Polar Year 2007-2008 - summary by the IPY Joint Committee
The International Polar Year (IPY) 2007–2008, co-sponsored by ICSU and WMO, became the largest coordinated research program in the Earth’s polar regions, following in the footsteps of its predecessor, the first and second International Polar Years in 1881-1883 and 1932-1933 and the International Geophysical Year 1957–1958.
An estimated 50,000 researchers, local observers, educators, students, and support personnel from more than 60 nations were involved in the 228 international IPY projects (170 in science, 1 in data management, and 57 in education and outreach) and related national eff ...
Understanding Earth's Polar challenges: International Polar Year 2007-2008 - summary by the IPY Joint Committee
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Available online: https://www.scar.org/library/scar-publications/occasional-publications/3505-unde [...]
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; Igor Krupnik ; Ian Allison ; Robin Bell ; Paul Cutler ; David Hik ; Jerónimo López-Martínez ; Volker Rachold ; E. Sarukhanian ; C. Summerhayes ; International Council for Science
Published by: ICSU, WMO ; 2011The International Polar Year (IPY) 2007–2008, co-sponsored by ICSU and WMO, became the largest coordinated research program in the Earth’s polar regions, following in the footsteps of its predecessor, the first and second International Polar Years in 1881-1883 and 1932-1933 and the International Geophysical Year 1957–1958.
An estimated 50,000 researchers, local observers, educators, students, and support personnel from more than 60 nations were involved in the 228 international IPY projects (170 in science, 1 in data management, and 57 in education and outreach) and related national efforts. IPY generated intensive research and observations in the Arctic and Antarctica over a two-year period, 1 March 2007–1 March 2009, with many activities continuing beyond that date.
The summary "Understanding Earth's Polar Challenges: International Polar Year 2007-2008" captures the context, motivations, initiation, planning, implementation and the outcomes of the International Polar Year (IPY) 2007–2008, as well as the lessons derived from this key undertaking.
IPY invigorated polar science, led to an unprecedented level of action, and attracted global attention to the polar regions at a critical moment in the changing relation between humanity and the environment.Collection(s) and Series: International Polar Year (IPY)
Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Free), Hard copyISBN (or other code): 978-1-896445-55-7
Tags: Research ; Observations ; Arctic ; Antarctica
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Sea Ice and Products and Services of the National Ice Center
This two-hour module examines sea ice, icebergs, and the products and services of the National Ice Center and the North American Ice Service. Topics include climatology and current trends in sea ice extent and thickness; the development, classification, and drift of sea ice and icebergs; fractures, leads and polynyas; and the satellite detection of sea ice using visible, infrared, and microwave sensors.
Available online: https://www.meted.ucar.edu/training_module.php?id=759
Published by: The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research ; 2011
This two-hour module examines sea ice, icebergs, and the products and services of the National Ice Center and the North American Ice Service. Topics include climatology and current trends in sea ice extent and thickness; the development, classification, and drift of sea ice and icebergs; fractures, leads and polynyas; and the satellite detection of sea ice using visible, infrared, and microwave sensors.
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The responsibility for opinions expressed in articles, publications, studies and other contributions rests solely with their authors, and their posting on this website does not constitute an endorsement by WMO of the opinion expressed therein.
WMO shall not be liable for any damages incurred as a result of the use of its website. Please do not misuse our website.Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Standard Copyright)Tags: Sea ice ; Marine meteorology ; Lesson/ Tutorial ; Antarctica ; Arctic ; Marine Weather Forecasters
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Arctic Pollution 2011
AMAP, 2011
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Available online: http://www.amap.no/documents/download/1155
Published by: AMAP ; 2011
Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Free)Tags: Environment and landscape ; Air pollution ; Water pollution ; Arctic ; Arctic Ocean ; Mercury
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Growth pattern of a common feather moss, Hylocomium splendens, from contrasting water regimes in a high Arctic tundra
Antarctic Record, Vol. 54, No. 2. Ueno Takeshi; Kanda Hiroshi - Scholarly and Academic Information Navigator (CiNii), 2010Hylocomium splendens, a widespread feather moss, is one of the major plant species found in high-Arctic tundra. It occupies a variety of habitats ranging from exposed dry ground to swampy areas. To clarify the effect of the water regime on the growth pattern of H. splendens, the shoot morphology of H. splendens growing in contrasting water regimes, i.e. hydric, mesic and xeric sites, was investigated using retrospective analyses of growth. The derived growth parameters for H. splendens differed considerably among the sites. The growing period at the hydric, mesic and xeric sites was 1 year, 2 ...
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An Arctic Sea Ice Simulation Using an Ocean-Ice Coupled Model
Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters, Volume 3 Number 4. Sun Hong-Chuan; Zhou Guang-Qing - Science Press, 2010This paper evaluates the simulation of Arctic sea ice states using an ocean-ice coupled model that employs LASG/IAP (the State Key Laboratory of Numerical Modeling for Atmospheric Sciences and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics/ the Institute of Atmospheric Physics) Climate Ocean Model (LICOM) and the sea-ice model from the Bergen Climate Model (BCM). It is shown that the coupled model can reasonably reproduce the major characteristics of the mean state, annual cycle, and inter-annual variability of the Arctic sea ice concentration. The coupled model also shows biases that were generally pre-sented in ...
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AMAP Assessment 2007 : oil and gas activities in the Arctic - effects and potential effects, volume two
AMAP, 2010
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AMAP Assessment 2007 : oil and gas activities in the Arctic - effects and potential effects, volume one
AMAP, 2010
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Arctic Biodiversity Trends 2010
GRID Arendal, 2010A component of the comprehensive Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA) of the Arctic Council, this report provides a snapshot of the trends being observed in Arctic biodiversity today. Twenty-two indicators examine the current state of the environment. Issues include sea birds, fisheries, climate change, polar bears and traditional knowledge.
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IUCN/NRDC Workshop to Identify Areas of Ecological and Biological Significance or Vulnerability in the Arctic Marine Environment : Workshop Report
Human activity is expanding in the Arctic marine environment, in part due to warming ocean temperatures and the dramatic loss of summer sea ice. New and expanding human uses include fishing, shipping and offshore oil and gas development. All have the potential to place major additional stress on ocean ecosystems which are already undergoing profound change related to warming, sea ice loss, and alterations in ocean chemistry.
Because activities conducted in one nation's waters can affect other parts of the region, effective management of some human uses in the Arctic marine environmen ...
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Why monitor the Arctic Ocean? Services to society from a sustained ocean observing system
Bates Peter; Alverson Keith; Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC); et al. - UNESCO, 2010Never has accurate information been more important, yet at
present we know very little about the Arctic Ocean. Critical physical processes are poorly understood, ecosystems remain unstudied and undiscovered, and indigenous voices go unheard. This lack of knowledge thwarts efforts to detect, predict or manage the interrelated physical, biological and social impacts of climate change, making sustainable development almost impossible. A coordinated observing system must therefore be
created for the Arctic Ocean and its coasts, to provide baseline data and ensure sustained monitor ...
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