Abstract
Abstract. In this work, hourly averaged sun photometer data from Barentsburg and Ny-Ålesund, both located on Spitsbergen in the European Arctic, are compared. Our data set comprises the years from 2002 to 2018 with overlapping measurements from both sites during the period from 2011 to 2018. For more turbid periods (aerosol optical depth, AOD, τ0.5>0.1), we found that Barentsburg is typically more polluted than Ny-Ålesund, especially in the shortwave spectrum. However, the diurnal variation in the AOD is highly correlated. Next, τ was divided into a fine and coarse mode. It was found that the fine-mode aerosol optical depth generally dominates and also shows a larger interannual than seasonal variation. The fine-mode optical depth is in fact largest in spring during the Arctic haze period. Overall the aerosol optical depth seems to decrease (at 500 nm the fine-mode optical depth decreased by 0.016 over 10 years), although this is hardly statistically significant.
Highlights
Studies of the character and causes of variations in all components of the climate system, including the aerosol composition of the atmosphere, have become more urgent with regard to climate change (IPCC, 2013)
One of the main aerosol climatology problems is the determination of the specific features of interannual and seasonal variations in different regions
Based on the multiyear observation time series, we considered the following issues: differences in the aerosol optical depth (AOD) between neighboring regions, the choice of the method for extracting the contributions of two AOD components, the seasonal average AOD variations during the polar day and the specific features of the interannual AOD variations during two periods of measurements (2002–2010 and 2011–2018)
Summary
Studies of the character and causes of variations in all components of the climate system, including the aerosol composition of the atmosphere, have become more urgent with regard to climate change (IPCC, 2013). Atmospheric aerosol plays an important role in the processes of solar radiative transfer and exchange of different substances (in particular, pollutants) between the continents and ocean (e.g., Kondratyev et al, 2006). Aerosol is characterized by a complex physicochemical composition and a stronger variation in concentration and radiative impact. The AOD represents the extinction of radiation, integrated over the atmospheric column, and can be considered as an optical equivalent of the total aerosol content. Under changing climate system conditions, a 10-year (or even 20-year) time series may be insufficient to correctly identify the tendencies or periodicities in variations of aerosol characteristics
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
