ACME-V campaign: intensive greenhouse gases observations on the North Slope of Alaska during summer, 2015

 

Authors

Sebastien Christophe Biraud — Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Margaret S. Torn — Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Arthur J Sedlacek — Brookhaven National Laboratory
Stephen R. Springston — Brookhaven National Laboratory
Colm Sweeney — NOAA- Earth System Research Laboratory

Category

High-latitude clouds and aerosols

Description

Atmospheric temperatures are warming faster in the Arctic than predicted by climate models. The impact of this warming on permafrost degradation is not well understood, but it is projected to increase carbon decomposition and greenhouse gas production (CO2 and/or CH4) by Arctic ecosystems. Airborne observations of atmospheric trace gases, aerosols, and cloud properties on the North Slope of Alaska (NSA) are improving our understanding of global climate, with the goal of reducing the uncertainty in global and regional climate simulations and projections. From June 1 through September 15, 2015, the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Airborne Facility (AAF) deployed a G-1 research aircraft (ARM-ACME-V mission) to fly over the North Slope of Alaska, with occasional vertical profiling between Prudhoe Bay, Oliktok Point, Barrow, Atqasuk, Ivotuk, and Toolik Lake. The aircraft payload includes Picarro and LGR analyzers for continuous measurements of CO2, CH4, H2O, and CO and N2O mixing ratios, and a 12-flask sampler for analysis of carbon cycle gases (CO2, CO, CH4, N2O, 13CO2, and trace hydrocarbon species including ethane). The aircraft payload also include measurements of aerosol properties (number size distribution, total number concentration, absorption, and scattering), cloud properties (droplet and ice size information), atmospheric thermodynamic state, and solar/infrared radiation.