Nitrogen Oxides (NO x ) in the Arctic Troposphere at Ny-Ålesund (Svalbard Islands): Effects of Anthropogenic Pollution Sources

• Published in: Atmosphere
• Main Authors: Antonietta Ianniello, Roberto Salzano, Rosamaria Salvatori, Giulio Esposito, Francesca Spataro, Mauro Montagnoli, Rosanna Mabilia, Antonello Pasini
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021
• Subjects: nitrogen oxides; ozone depletion events; radon progeny; local pollution sources; long-range pollution sources; Meteorology. Climatology; QC851-999; Arctic; Arctic Ocean; Ny-Ålesund; Svalbard; Ny Ålesund
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12070901; https://doaj.org/article/aaff768c6ee14fa8a2467394dfafb09d

Atmospheric measurements of nitrogen oxides (NO x = NO + NO 2 ), ozone (O 3 ) 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 O 3 precursors, such as NO x , in the Arctic troposphere, and on the impact from anthropogenic sources on their measured concentrations: higher NO and NO 2 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 NO x 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 NO 2 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 NO x concentrations at Ny-Ålesund.