Model and satellite analysis of transport of Asian anthropogenic pollution to the Arctic: Siberian and Pacific pathways and their meteorological controls

The concentration and composition of aerosols in the atmosphere over the Barents Sea were studied. Earlier, the contribution of aerosols to the formation of the Arctic environment was underestimated. Our data indicated a noticeable effect of continental aerosol on the atmosphere of the Barents Sea. The relationship of the black carbon concentration and the type of air masses has been established. Its concentration increases hundreds of times in the atmosphere of the sea when continental air is removed. The ionic composition and the content of chemical elements in the insoluble fraction of aerosols of the air over the Barents Sea were studied. The content of most chemical elements (Na, Al, K, Ca, Sc, Fe, Co, Rb, Zr, Cs, Ba, REE, Hf, Ta, Th, U) in the insoluble fraction of aerosols was below the average values for the upper continental crust. The content of Cr, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Ag, Sb, Au, Pb is significantly higher than their average for the upper continental crust, due to the influence of the anthroposphere. Probable sources of anthropogenic pollution of aerosols in the Arctic are discussed.

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Glaciochemical reconnaissance of a new ice core from Severnaya Zemlya, Eurasian Arctic

Journal of Glaciology ◽

10.3189/172756505781829629 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 51 (172) ◽

pp. 64-74 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Karin Weiler ◽

Hubertus Fischer ◽

Diedrich Fritzsche ◽

Urs Ruth ◽

Frank Wilhelms ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electrical Conductivity ◽

Ice Core ◽

Arctic Basin ◽

Anthropogenic Pollution ◽

The Arctic ◽

Ice Cap ◽

Siberian Arctic ◽

Nitrate Concentrations ◽

Severnaya Zemlya ◽

Combustion Processes

AbstractA deep ice core has been drilled on Akademii Nauk ice cap, Severnaya Zemlya, Eurasian Arctic. High-resolution chemical analysis has been carried out for the upper 53 m of this ice core to study its potential as an atmospheric aerosol archive, despite strong meltwater percolation. These records show that a seasonal atmospheric signal cannot be deduced. However, strong year-to-year variations have allowed the core to be dated, and a mean annual net mass balance of 0.46 m w.e. a-1 was deduced. The chemical signature of an extraordinarily high peak in electrical conductivity at 26 m depth pointed clearly to the eruption of Bezymianny, Kamchatka, in 1956. However, in general, peaks in the electrical conductivity are not necessarily related to deposition of volcanogenic sulphur aerosol. In contrast, maximum sulphate and nitrate concentrations in the ice could be related to maximum SO2 and NOx anthropogenic emissions in the 1970s, probably caused by the nickel- and copper-producing industries in Norilsk and on the Kola peninsula or by industrial combustion processes occurring in the Siberian Arctic. In addition, during recent decades sulphate and nitrate concentrations declined by 80% and 60%, respectively, reflecting a decrease in anthropogenic pollution of the Arctic basin.

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High-Resolution Satellite Analysis and Model Evaluation of Clouds and Radiation over the Mackenzie Basin Using AVHRR Data

Journal of Climate ◽

10.1175/1520-0442-11.8.1976 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 1976-1996 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Louis Garand ◽

Serge Nadon

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

High Resolution ◽

Vertical Distribution ◽

Model Evaluation ◽

Cloud Fraction ◽

The Arctic ◽

Mackenzie Basin ◽

Low Clouds ◽

Cloud Tops ◽

Satellite Analysis

Abstract Both the issues of high-resolution satellite analysis and model evaluation for a region centered on the Arctic Circle (60°–75°N) are addressed. Model cloud fraction, cloud height, and outgoing radiation are compared to corresponding satellite observations using a model-to-satellite approach (calculated radiances from model state). The dataset consists of forecasts run at 15-km resolution up to 30 h and nearly coincident Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) imagery during the Beaufort and Arctic Storm Experiment over the Mackenzie Basin for a monthly period in the fall of 1994. A cloud detection algorithm is designed for day and night application using the 11-μ channel of AVHRR along with available information on atmospheric and ground temperatures. The satellite and model estimates of cloud fraction are also compared to observations at 20 ground stations. A significant result of the validation is that the model has a higher frequency of low cloud tops and a lower frequency of midlevel cloud tops than the observations. On a monthly basis, the model 11-μ outgoing brightness temperature (TB) is consequently higher than observed by about 4.4 K at all forecast times, which corresponds to a deficit of 760 m in mean cloud-top height and about 10 W m−2 in outgoing flux at the top of the atmosphere. Possible errors in the parameterization of ice or water cloud emissivity are evaluated but ruled out as the dominant cause for the warm TB bias in the model. Rather, the problem is attributed to low clouds being trapped in the boundary layer, whereas high clouds appear to be reasonably well modeled. The role of thin ice clouds is further evaluated by comparing distributions of observed and modeled 11-μ minus 12-μ TB differences, DIF45 (channel 4 minus channel 5). The relationship between the true height of the clouds and the effective height observed by satellite is modeled from forecast outputs as a function of DIF45. The quality of daily estimates is evaluated from time series at various locations. The time series shows that there was a marked drop in DIF45 during the month, which is attributed to a decrease in the occurrence of cirrus clouds. Finally, the diurnal cycle of TB and cloud fraction is found to be relatively large with average monthly 0600–1800 UTC TB differences of both signs of the order of 4–8 K in broad sectors and cloud fraction differences of 10%–30%. Where low clouds prevail, the cloud fraction tends to decrease at night and TB increases. Overall, model–observation differences are dominated by differences in the vertical distribution of clouds. A reduction of this effect implies a modification of the “preferred” model climatology in terms of its vertical distribution of humidity and cloud water.

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Ice microphysics of low-level ice clouds in the Arctic: Satellite analysis

10.5194/dach2022-272 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Iris Papakonstantinou-Presvelou ◽

Johannes Quaas

Keyword(s):

Sea Ice ◽

Large Scale ◽

Arctic Region ◽

Open Ocean ◽

The Arctic ◽

Ice Crystal ◽

Ice Clouds ◽

Low Level ◽

Level Ice ◽

Satellite Analysis

This study investigates low-level ice clouds in the Arctic and their potential relation to the surface aerosols. These aerosols or ice nucleating particles (INPs), are necessary for the heterogeneous nucleation of ice in temperatures above -38&#176;C. Several studies in the past have investigated the sources of INPs and their nucleating behavior with response to the temperature. According to these studies, it has been suggested that a marine source of INPs coming from sea spray is able to nucleate ice in temperatures close to -5oC. What we do here is a large-scale comparison of boundary-layer ice clouds over open ocean and sea ice, over the whole Arctic region for the time period of 2006-2016. We use for this purpose a satellite-retrieved quantity, the ice crystal number concentration (Ni), which we investigate in relation to the temperature. We study clouds with regard to the region and season they form and we examine their coupling to the surface. Our findings show - contrary to previous expectation - enhanced ice crystal numbers over sea ice compared to open ocean, in temperatures above -10oC. In lower temperatures this difference still persists for the lower Arctic latitudes (<70oN), especially for clouds that are coupled to the surface.

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In-situ observation of Asian pollution transported into the Arctic lowermost stratosphere

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics ◽

10.5194/acp-11-10975-2011 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 11 (21) ◽

pp. 10975-10994 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

A. Roiger ◽

H. Schlager ◽

A. Schäfler ◽

H. Huntrieser ◽

M. Scheibe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dispersion Model ◽

Anthropogenic Pollution ◽

Conveyor Belt ◽

Particle Dispersion ◽

The Arctic ◽

In Situ Observation ◽

Air Mass ◽

Mixing Ratios ◽

The North

Abstract. On a research flight on 10 July 2008, the German research aircraft Falcon sampled an air mass with unusually high carbon monoxide (CO), peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) and water vapour (H2O) mixing ratios in the Arctic lowermost stratosphere. The air mass was encountered twice at an altitude of 11.3 km, ~800 m above the dynamical tropopause. In-situ measurements of ozone, NO, and NOy indicate that this layer was a mixed air mass containing both air from the troposphere and stratosphere. Backward trajectory and Lagrangian particle dispersion model analysis suggest that the Falcon sampled the top of a polluted air mass originating from the coastal regions of East Asia. The anthropogenic pollution plume experienced strong up-lift in a warm conveyor belt (WCB) located over the Russian east-coast. Subsequently the Asian air mass was transported across the North Pole into the sampling area, elevating the local tropopause by up to ~3 km. Mixing with surrounding Arctic stratospheric air most likely took place during the horizontal transport when the tropospheric streamer was stretched into long and narrow filaments. The mechanism illustrated in this study possibly presents an important pathway to transport pollution into the polar tropopause region.

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The observed influence of local anthropogenic pollution on northern Alaskan cloud properties

10.5194/acp-2017-302 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Maximilian Maahn ◽

Gijs de Boer ◽

Jessie M. Creamean ◽

Graham Feingold ◽

Greg M. McFarquhar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anthropogenic Pollution ◽

Radiative Properties ◽

Anthropogenic Sources ◽

The Arctic ◽

Industrial Emissions ◽

Condensation Nuclei ◽

Cloud Drop ◽

Near Surface ◽

Cloud Properties ◽

The Impact

Abstract. Due to their importance for the radiation budget, liquid-containing clouds are a key component of the Arctic climate system. Depending on season, they can cool or warm the near-surface air. The radiative properties of these clouds depend strongly on cloud drop sizes, which are governed by the availability of cloud condensation nuclei. Here, we investigate how cloud drop sizes are modified in the presence of local emissions from industrial facilities at the North Slope of Alaska. For this, we use aircraft in-situ observations of clouds and aerosols from the 5th Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (DOE ARM) Program’s Airborne Carbon Measurements (ACME-V) campaign obtained in Summer 2015. Comparison of observations from an area with petroleum extraction facilities (Oliktok Point) with data from a reference area relatively free of anthropogenic sources (Utqiaġvik/Barrow) represents an opportunity to quantify the impact of local industrial emissions on cloud properties. In the presence of local industrial emissions, the mean effective radii of cloud droplets are reduced from 12.2 to 9.8 μm, which leads to a suppression of drizzle production and precipitation. At the same time, concentrations of refractory black carbon and condensation nuclei are enhanced below the clouds. These results demonstrate that the effects of anthropogenic pollution on local climate need to be considered when planning Arctic industrial infrastructure in a warming environment.

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Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) in the Arctic Troposphere at Ny-Ålesund (Svalbard Islands): Effects of Anthropogenic Pollution Sources

Atmosphere ◽

10.3390/atmos12070901 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 901

Author(s):

Antonietta Ianniello ◽

Roberto Salzano ◽

Rosamaria Salvatori ◽

Giulio Esposito ◽

Francesca Spataro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Oxides ◽

Ozone Depletion ◽

Atmospheric Stability ◽

Anthropogenic Pollution ◽

Anthropogenic Sources ◽

The Arctic ◽

Source Tracking ◽

Atmospheric Measurements ◽

North West ◽

The Impact

Atmospheric measurements of nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2), ozone (O3) and other constituents were carried out during three field campaigns (29 March–30 April 2010, 1–26 April 2011, 18 May–8 October 2015) at Ny-Ålesund. The study focused on the variability of important O3 precursors, such as NOx, in the Arctic troposphere, and on the impact from anthropogenic sources on their measured concentrations: higher NO and NO2 levels were mostly associated with the lowest wind speeds and northern directions, indicating local pollution. Long-range transported sources from Russia and Europe were also identified with an occurrence of high NOx levels. Several ozone depletion events were observed and associated to winds blowing from the north-west direction (Arctic Ocean). Most of these events were connected to the lower NO and NO2 concentrations. Measurements of halogen and low molecular weight carbonyl compounds in 2010 and 2011, respectively, showed variable effects during the ozone depletion events. Other data, such as high time-resolved radon progeny measurements, were used in 2015 to identify source tracking and transport of air masses, local effects and atmospheric stability dynamics that could influence the NOx concentrations at Ny-Ålesund.

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Fishing as an important source of food in the Arctic and subarctic zones of Yakutia

Open Agriculture ◽

10.1515/opag-2020-0022 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 213-218 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nadezhda V. Popova ◽

Alexey F. Abramov ◽

Ludmila N. Markova

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Climatic Factors ◽

Mining Industry ◽

Food Product ◽

Anthropogenic Pollution ◽

The Arctic ◽

Economic Activities ◽

Fish Food ◽

Commercial Fish ◽

Rivers And Lakes

AbstractThe peculiarity of natural conditions of Yakutia plays an important role in the formation of economic activities of its population. A significant number of rivers and lakes are a favorable condition for the development and preservation of traditional fishing. Currently, more than 89% of the commercial fish catch is produced in the lower reaches of the large northern rivers and lakes in the Arctic and subarctic zones of Yakutia. The main part of this catch is whitefish species, which are valued for their fat content, protein content, culinary, and taste qualities. Fish is a valuable food product for the population of Yakutia. This article presents the results of the study on the nutritional value and the content of heavy metals in the Arctic cisco meat. The high content of fat and protein in the studied samples shows that the Arctic cisco meat belongs to high-protein and high-calorie products and has a high biological value. It was found that on average, the level of toxic metals in the Arctic cisco meat does not exceed the norms accepted in Russia for fish products. The data obtained suggest that the content of heavy metals in fish is due to the peculiarities of living conditions and environmental pollution. Over the past decades, the volume of fish production in Yakutia has been declining due to the socioeconomic and climatic factors. Due to the anthropogenic pollution of water in rivers and lakes by oil products and effluents and waste from various sectors of the economy, especially the mining industry, there is a reduction in the fish resources and there is a need to monitor the environmental condition of the fishing reservoirs and the fish food quality.

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Analysis of ozone and nitric acid in spring and summer Arctic pollution using aircraft, ground-based, satellite observations and MOZART-4 model: source attribution and partitioning

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics ◽

10.5194/acp-12-237-2012 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 237-259 ◽

Cited By ~ 62

Author(s):

C. Wespes ◽

L. Emmons ◽

D. P. Edwards ◽

J. Hannigan ◽

D. Hurtmans ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Model Performance ◽

Anthropogenic Pollution ◽

The Arctic ◽

Source Attribution ◽

Arctic Boundary Layer ◽

Fire Emissions ◽

Chemical Tracers ◽

Aircraft Observations ◽

Arctic Pollution ◽

Tropospheric O3

Abstract. In this paper, we analyze tropospheric O3 together with HNO3 during the POLARCAT (Polar Study using Aircraft, Remote Sensing, Surface Measurements and Models, of Climate, Chemistry, Aerosols, and Transport) program, combining observations and model results. Aircraft observations from the NASA ARCTAS (Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites) and NOAA ARCPAC (Aerosol, Radiation and Cloud Processes affecting Arctic Climate) campaigns during spring and summer of 2008 are used together with the Model for Ozone and Related Chemical Tracers, version 4 (MOZART-4) to assist in the interpretation of the observations in terms of the source attribution and transport of O3 and HNO3 into the Arctic (north of 60° N). The MOZART-4 simulations reproduce the aircraft observations generally well (within 15%), but some discrepancies in the model are identified and discussed. The observed correlation of O3 with HNO3 is exploited to evaluate the MOZART-4 model performance for different air mass types (fresh plumes, free troposphere and stratospheric-contaminated air masses). Based on model simulations of O3 and HNO3 tagged by source type and region, we find that the anthropogenic pollution from the Northern Hemisphere is the dominant source of O3 and HNO3 in the Arctic at pressures greater than 400 hPa, and that the stratospheric influence is the principal contribution at pressures less 400 hPa. During the summer, intense Russian fire emissions contribute some amount to the tropospheric columns of both gases over the American sector of the Arctic. North American fire emissions (California and Canada) also show an important impact on tropospheric ozone in the Arctic boundary layer. Additional analysis of tropospheric O3 measurements from ground-based FTIR and from the IASI satellite sounder made at the Eureka (Canada) and Thule (Greenland) polar sites during POLARCAT has been performed using the tagged contributions. It demonstrates the capability of these instruments for observing pollution at northern high latitudes. Differences between contributions from the sources to the tropospheric columns as measured by FTIR and IASI are discussed in terms of vertical sensitivity associated with these instruments. The first analysis of O3 tropospheric columns observed by the IASI satellite instrument over the Arctic is also provided. Despite its limited vertical sensitivity in the lowermost atmospheric layers, we demonstrate that IASI is capable of detecting low-altitude pollution transported into the Arctic with some limitations.

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Current issues of environmental mercury pollution (review)

Hygiene and Sanitation ◽

10.47470/0016-9900-2020-99-5-460-467 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 99 (5) ◽

pp. 460-467

Author(s):

V. N. Rakitskii ◽

T. A. Synitskaya ◽

Sergeii V. Skupnevskii

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Ferrous Metal ◽

Anthropogenic Pollution ◽

Mercury Pollution ◽

The Arctic ◽

Soil Horizon ◽

Mercury Compounds ◽

Mercury Intoxication

The review summarizes the results of studying the problem of environmental mercury pollution and associated risks to public health. Toxicological and hygienic studies include an analysis of the main sources of heavy metal emissions, ways of their distribution in the environment and biological effects on humans. The basis of anthropogenic pollution was shown to include the following: artisanal mining, coal burning and non-ferrous metal production. Out of the places of emissions metal is distributed with atmospheric air over long distances, as evidenced by the results of monitoring studies conducted in the Arctic and Antarctica. Pollution of water is extremely dangerous for human health, since it is proven that the main source of mercury intake is associated with the consumption of fish and seafood. In the soil horizon the toxicant is localized mainly in arable layers but in places where mercury-containing waste is stored, the metal can migrate to a depth of 18 m or more. Analysis of the mechanisms of adsorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion allows concluding: the greatest threat to health are metal-organic forms (methyl-and dimethyl-mercury), which is associated with the high lipophilicity of these compounds. On the example of Minamata disease there is given a description of the characteristic signs of mercury intoxication among which the Central nervous system is the leading one. There are presented the results of the research of biological effects of low metal concentrations and modern means of preventing negative impact on human health. Contact of the General population in production and everyday life determines the necessity for a comprehensive study and coverage of the effects associated with exposure of toxic mercury compounds.

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