Aerosol distribution around Svalbard during intense easterly winds

• Main Authors: A. Dörnbrack, I. S. Stachlewska, C. Ritter, R. Neuber
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2010
• Subjects: Physics; QC1-999; Chemistry; QD1-999; Adventdalen; Arctic; Svalbard; Isfjord*; Isfjorden
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/dfea3762cbd2403b99653f2299e9f0b7

This paper reports on backscatter and depolarization measurements by an airborne lidar in the Arctic during the ASTAR 2004 campaign. A unique weather situation facilitated the observation of the aerosol concentration under strongly forced atmospheric conditions. The vigorous easterly winds distorted the flow past Svalbard in such a way that mesoscale features were visible in the remote-sensing observations: The formation of a well-mixed aerosol layer inside the Adventdalen and the subsequent thinning of the aerosol plume were observed over the Isfjorden. Additionally, mobilization of sea salt aerosols due to a coastal low-level jet at the northern tip of Svalbard resulted in a sloped boundary layer toward north. Mesoscale numerical modelling was applied to identify the sources of the aerosol particles and to explain the observed patterns.