Overview: Integrative and Comprehensive Understanding on Polar Environments (iCUPE) – concept and initial results

The role of polar regions is increasing in terms of megatrends such as globalization, new transport routes, demography, and the use of natural resources with consequent effects on regional and transported pollutant concentrations. We set up the ERA-PLANET Strand 4 project “iCUPE – integrative and Comprehensive Understanding on Polar Environments” to provide novel insights and observational data on global grand challenges with an Arctic focus. We utilize an integrated approach combining in situ observations, satellite remote sensing Earth observations (EOs), and multi-scale modeling to synthesize data from comprehensive long-term measurements, intensive campaigns, and satellites to deliver data products, metrics, and indicators to stakeholders concerning the environmental status, availability, and extraction of natural resources in the polar areas. The iCUPE work consists of thematic state-of-the-art research and the provision of novel data in atmospheric pollution, local sources and transboundary transport, the characterization of arctic surfaces and their changes, an assessment of the concentrations and impacts of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants and their cycling, the quantification of emissions from natural resource extraction, and the validation and optimization of satellite Earth observation (EO) data streams. In this paper we introduce the iCUPE project and summarize initial results arising out of the integration of comprehensive in situ observations, satellite remote sensing, and multi-scale modeling in the Arctic context

Overview : Integrative and Comprehensive Understanding on Polar Environments (iCUPE) - concept and initial results

The role of polar regions is increasing in terms of megatrends such as globalization, new transport routes, demography, and the use of natural resources with consequent effects on regional and transported pollutant concentrations. We set up the ERA-PLANET Strand 4 project "iCUPE - integrative and Comprehensive Understanding on Polar Environments" to provide novel insights and observational data on global grand challenges with an Arctic focus. We utilize an integrated approach combining in situ observations, satellite remote sensing Earth observations (EOs), and multi-scale modeling to synthesize data from comprehensive long-term measurements, intensive campaigns, and satellites to deliver data products, metrics, and indicators to stakeholders concerning the environmental status, availability, and extraction of natural resources in the polar areas. The iCUPE work consists of thematic state-of-the-art research and the provision of novel data in atmospheric pollution, local sources and transboundary transport, the characterization of arctic surfaces and their changes, an assessment of the concentrations and impacts of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants and their cycling, the quantification of emissions from natural resource extraction, and the validation and optimization of satellite Earth observation (EO) data streams. In this paper we introduce the iCUPE project and summarize initial results arising out of the integration of comprehensive in situ observations, satellite remote sensing, and multi-scale modeling in the Arctic context.Peer reviewe

Shipborne And Ground-Based Lidar Monitoring of the Atmosphere Over the Lake Baikal in 2018

The paper presents the results of studies aimed at the analysis and assessment of atmospheric pollution over the Lake Baikal in the summer. This information is necessary to create physical models of the formation and transfer of atmospheric aerosol fields, taking into account the physical and geographical features of the Baikal region. Measurements were carried out by a lidar «LOSA-A2» installed on the scientific-research vessel «Academician V.A. Koptyug». The vessel’s route passed along the South, Middle and Northern Baikal, from July 15, 2018 to July 26, 2018. At the same time, observations were conducted using lidar «LOSA-M2». It was located in the background area at Boyarsky stationary site (51.84° N, 106.06° E), in the south-eastern part of the lake. The results of changes in the spatial structure of atmospheric aerosol fields in background conditions and during forest fires are shown

Shipborne And Ground-Based Lidar Monitoring of the Atmosphere Over the Lake Baikal in 2018

The paper presents the results of studies aimed at the analysis and assessment of atmospheric pollution over the Lake Baikal in the summer. This information is necessary to create physical models of the formation and transfer of atmospheric aerosol fields, taking into account the physical and geographical features of the Baikal region. Measurements were carried out by a lidar «LOSA-A2» installed on the scientific-research vessel «Academician V.A. Koptyug». The vessel’s route passed along the South, Middle and Northern Baikal, from July 15, 2018 to July 26, 2018. At the same time, observations were conducted using lidar «LOSA-M2». It was located in the background area at Boyarsky stationary site (51.84° N, 106.06° E), in the south-eastern part of the lake. The results of changes in the spatial structure of atmospheric aerosol fields in background conditions and during forest fires are shown

Mobile Aerosol Raman Polarizing Lidar LOSA-A2 for Atmospheric Sounding

The mobile aerosol Raman polarizing lidar LOSA-A2 designed at V.E. Zuev Institute of Atmospheric Optics SB RAS is presented. Its main technical specifications are given. The lidar carries out sounding of the atmosphere of a Nd:YAG laser at two wavelengths, 1064 nm and 532 nm. Optical selection of lidar signals at these wavelengths is performed by two identical telescopes with diameters of 120 mm and a focal length of 500 mm. In the visible channel, the signal is divided into two orthogonal polarized components, and a Raman signal at a wavelength of 607 nm is separated. The lidar was tested in aircraft and ship research expeditions. Results of the study of spatial aerosol distribution over the Baikal with the use of LOSA-A2 lidar received during ship-based research expeditions are described. The first in situ tests of the lidar were carried out in an aircraft expedition in the north of Western Siberia

Observations of the Horizontally Oriented Crystalline Particles with a Scanning Polarization Lidar

Scanning lidar LOSA-M3 makes it possible to measure the polarization characteristics of backscattering signals from aerosol and clouds at wavelength 532 and 1064 nm. The lidar transceiver is placed on a scanning column, which allows changing the direction of sounding within the upper hemisphere at a speed of 1 degree per second. The polarization characteristics of the transmitter (linear or circular polarization) can be changed by rotating the phase plates synchronously with the laser pulses. Conical scanning of the lidar allows identifying cloud areas with preferential zenith or azimuthal orientation of the crystal particles. The article presents the results of observations of the cloud polarization structure carried out in Tomsk. Methods of the calibrations of lidar polarization channels are described

Observations of the Horizontally Oriented Crystalline Particles with a Scanning Polarization Lidar

Scanning lidar LOSA-M3 makes it possible to measure the polarization characteristics of backscattering signals from aerosol and clouds at wavelength 532 and 1064 nm. The lidar transceiver is placed on a scanning column, which allows changing the direction of sounding within the upper hemisphere at a speed of 1 degree per second. The polarization characteristics of the transmitter (linear or circular polarization) can be changed by rotating the phase plates synchronously with the laser pulses. Conical scanning of the lidar allows identifying cloud areas with preferential zenith or azimuthal orientation of the crystal particles. The article presents the results of observations of the cloud polarization structure carried out in Tomsk. Methods of the calibrations of lidar polarization channels are described

Lidar observations of the regional transport and formation of aerosol fields in the background and urban areas

International audienceThe description of the apparatus and the results of synchronous observations of the structure of aerosol fields in urban areas and in background conditions are given. Continuous day and night observations were carried out by the modernized lidar CIMEL CE372 (the background experimental site) and the stationary lidar "LOZA-S" (Tomsk, Akademgorodok). The main task of the research is to determine the stratification characteristics of aerosol layers in different synoptic conditions and to show the city's contribution to the aerosol structure of the boundary layer

Siberian lidar station: instruments and results

The Siberian Lidar Station created at V.E. Zuev Institute of Atmospheric Optics and operating in Tomsk (56.5° N, 85.0° E) is a unique atmospheric observatory. It combines up-to-date instruments for remote laser and passive sounding for the study of aerosol and cloud fields, air temperature and humidity, and ozone and gaseous components of the ozone cycles. In addition to controlling a wide range of atmospheric parameters, the observatory allows simultaneous monitoring of the atmosphere throughout the valuable altitude range 0–75 km. In this paper, the instruments and results received at the Station are described