Project Summary
Although the Arctic is remote, it is far from pristine, with characteristic enhancements in air pollution that can affect climate, Arctic populations, and ecosystems. Long-range transport of pollution from lower latitudes and increases in local pollution sources contribute to enhancements in trace gas and aerosol concentrations both at the surface and aloft throughout the Arctic troposphere. Moreover, changes in high latitude fires, sea ice coverage, and the terrestrial environment are leading to changes in natural sources of trace gas and aerosol in the Arctic. Vertical enhancements of Arctic pollution are sensitive to different source locations, wet removal processes, and changes in large-scale transport patterns. Climate forcing due to aerosol and trace gases is highly sensitive to their vertical distribution. However, there is virtually no regular sampling of Arctic trace constituent vertical profiles. This proposed activity is aimed at facilitating Arctic research community engagement in transforming our ability to monitor, understand, and predict trace gas and aerosol abundances in the Arctic troposphere. A workshop will scope the potential for a new programme of regular trace gas and aerosol profile measurements from airborne platforms in the Arctic, and to discuss key research questions and model uncertainties that could be addressed with such a programme. The workshop will explore the potential for building capacity for such a regular measurement programme to be developed in time to be operational for the next International Polar Year (IPY) 2032- 2033.
Date and Location:
21 – 28 March 2025 IBoulder, Colorado, USA (ASSW 2025)
IASC Working Groups funding the Project:
- Atmosphere WG
Project Lead
Steve Arnold, University of Leeds, UK
Year funded by IASC
2024
Project Status
Upcoming