Local and long-range emissions in Oliktok Point, Alaska

 

Authors

Janek Uin — Brookhaven National Laboratory
Gunnar I. Senum — Brookhaven National Laboratory
Stephen R. Springston — Brookhaven National Laboratory
Chongai Kuang — Brookhaven National Laboratory
Arthur J Sedlacek — Brookhaven National Laboratory

Category

General topics – Aerosols

Description

Oliktok Point in Alaska is the new home of the AMF 3 AOS (Aerosol Observing Station), which was installed there in August, 2016 as part of the DOE ARM Facility. The site is located close to the shore of the Arctic Ocean and is surrounded by tundra with several oil-processing plants nearby. The station has a complement of instruments for measuring trace gas concentrations (CO), aerosol particle number concentrations, particle size distributions down to 60 nm, and particle optical and hygroscopic properties. Since the beginning of the AMF 3 deployment, a few distinct features in the aerosol measurements can be seen that correlate with the local wind direction. Southerly winds bring diesel emission plumes as the power generators are located close by to the south of the AMF 3 measurement container. Winds from the north, from the direction of the ocean, usually bring clean air masses with very low particle counts. However, occasionally higher particle counts and even particle growth can be observed. It is not fully clear what the source of these emissions is. The main building of the Oliktok Long Range Radar Site is located in this direction and, while not situated directly to the north from the measurement site, the nearby oil-processing plants could have an influence. Additionally, effects of nearby snow clearing or idling trucks can sometimes be seen. Additional measurements of trace gases (e.g., SO2) and aerosol particle size distributions below 60 nm are needed to further study the nature and source of the emissions seen in Oliktok Point.