Report on atmospheric science observations at Ny-Alesund, Svalbard (Report)

• Main Authors: Takashi Yamanouchi, Shuhji Aoki, Shinji Morimoto, Makoto Wada
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: National Institute of Polar Research/National Institute of Polar Research/National Institute of Polar Research/National Institute of Polar Research 1996
• Subjects: Arctic; Antarctic; The Antarctic; Svalbard; Ny-Ålesund; Syowa Station; Rabben; Antarc*; Antarctica; Memoirs of National Institute of Polar Research; Norwegian Polar Institute; Ny Ålesund; Polar Research
• Online Access: https://nipr.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=repository_uri&item_id=2280; http://id.nii.ac.jp/1291/00002280/; https://nipr.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=repository_action_common_download&item_id=2280&item_no=1&attribute_id=18&file_no=1

Observations of atmospheric variables at Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard were started in 1991 at the Rabben observation station, in order to increase our understanding of global atmospheric change in the Arctic. The measured atmospheric components are the variations of greenhouse gases, clouds, precipitation and radiation; these are then compared to observations in the Antarctic. Observations of greenhouse gases, such as CO_2 and CH_4,are conducted by air sampling at the site once a week, in cooperation with the Norwegian Polar Institute. Large seasonal variation and north-south difference in the annual mean between Ny-Ålesund and Syowa Station, Antarctica of about 4ppmv are observed for the CO_2 concentration. CH_4 also shows a large seasonal variation and large north-south difference. Surface ozone concentration is measured continuously at the station; clear seasonal variation and some drastic destruction at the polar sunrise have been revealed. Clouds and precipitation are observed with 37 GHz microwave radiometer for the column liquid water content, and 10 GHz vertical pointing radar for the ice water content and precipitation. Monthly variations of clouds and precipitation are obtained, and some seasonal differences in cloud properties are described. Analysis of surface radiation data observed for a long time by the Norwegian Polar Institute has revealed certain characteristics of the radiation budget at Ny-Ålesund.