Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Aerosol Measurements at Summit (Resubmission)  (AEROMAS)

Outline
The aim of this project is to make detailed, real time measurements of physical, chemical and optical properties of aerosols at the Greenland Summit station during the summer of 2007. One of the expected outcomes of an increase in greenhouse gasses is a warming of the Polar Regions (IPCC 2001). There is however, a large uncertainty in the estimated effects of aerosols on any change in climate. The effect of polar aerosols is complicated by factors such as long optical path through the atmosphere, high surface Albedo in spring (all year round on ice caps) and the chemical composition of the aerosols themselves. These factors add to the uncertainty of the effect of polar aerosols on climate change. We intend to take a four to six week long snapshot of aerosol concentrations and physico-chemical properties at a remote Arctic location. We have available a suite of aerosol instruments including • Volatility Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (VSMPS) • Integrating Nephelometer (IN) • Aethalometer • Multi stage impactors The VSMPS allows size resolved aerosol spectra in the range 15nm to 800nm to be measured with a time resolution of five minutes. Volatility measurements are carried out using a thermodenuder, which gives qualitative chemical information about the aerosols. The IN measures optical properties of sub micron aerosols The Aethalometer measures the Black Carbon content of the aerosols and also gives some optical properties. Multi stage impactors give size resolved chemical composition of aerosols in the super micron size range. The optical properties measured by the IN and Aethalometer when combined with Aerosol Optical Depth measurements retrieved from satellite observations can be used to provide estimates of radiative forcing. On its own the aerosol data set will be a unique record. Such long time-series “real time” size resolved aerosol measurements are rare in the arctic as a whole and have never been carried out at Summit. However, it should also fit into the context of several other proposed activities at Summit during this period. Such as work proposed by Bill Sturges from UEA (VOCs and firn interstitial air), Mike Bergin of Georgia Tech and Jack Dibb of University of New Hampshire (Halogen and HOx photochemistry)

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Theme 1: We will provide a four to six week long real time picture of the physical, chemical and optical properties of aerosols at Summit. Combined with AOD from satellites we will be able to provide estimates of radiative forcing over the Greenland ice sheet. Theme2: If Summit is adopted as a long term monitoring site, we will be able to make continuous aerosol measurements to determine long term trends in pollution and climate change. Theme 3: The Greenland ice sheet is involved in teleconnections to weather events thousands of kilometers away, understanding transport to and from the ice sheet is therefore vital.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Members of the team include Stephan Nyeki, University of Bern Kostas Eleftheradis, Demokritos, Athens Kimmo Teinila, FMI, Helsinki Renate Treffeisen, AWI, Potsdam

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Summit station, Greenland

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: May/June/July 2007            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The existing facilities of the US NSF Summit station

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
We hope to see Summit adopted as a Global Atmospheric Watch station

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Another national polar operator

The infrastructure at Summit is maintained by the US government's NSF. It has been there since the early 1990s and is supported by US military logistics. The cost of transport from Kangerlusaaq on the coast to Summit is bundled into the day rate (currently US$180 per day)

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
New

The project is autonomous but will compliment various other proposed activities at Summit

How will the project be organised and managed?
Organisation and management will come from U Essex. The project will be managed by Professor Colbeck. Day to day running will be carried out by Guy Coulson

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
U Essex has a series of "Science and Society" lectures aimed at the general public. We also intend the usual publication in peer reviewed journals and attending conferences and meetings.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
We expect that initially the data will be held by project members – at least until it has been quality checked. In the long term it could be posted to an appropriate public access forum.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
National funding body (NERC) grant

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Ian Colbeck
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Essex
Colchester
CO4 3SQ
UK

Tel: 01206 872203
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation