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

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

Interactions between the atmosphere, cryosphere, and ecosystems at northern high latitudes

The Nordic Centre of Excellence CRAICC (CRyosphere-Atmosphere Interactions in a Changing Arctic Climate), funded by NordForsk in the years 2011–2016, was the largest joint Nordic research and innovation initiative to date, aiming to strengthen research and innovation regarding climate change issues in the Nordic Region. CRAICC gathered more than 100 scientists from all Nordic countries in a virtual Centre with the objectives to identify and quantify the major processes controlling Arctic warming and related feedback mechanisms, to outline strategies to mitigate Arctic warming and to develop Nordic Earth System modelling with a focus on the short-lived climate forcers (SLCF), including natural and anthropogenic aerosols. The outcome of CRAICC is reflected in more than 150 peer-reviewed scientific publications, most of which are in the CRAICC special-issue of the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. This manuscript presents an overview on the main scientific topics investigated in the Centre and provides the reader a state-of-the-art comprehensive summary of what has been achieved in CRAICC with links to the particular publications for further detail. Facing the vast amount of outcomes we are not claiming to cover all results from CRAICC in this manuscript but concentrate here on the main results which are related to the feedback loops in the climate change-cryosphere interaction scheme affecting the Arctic amplification.The Nordic Centre of Excellence CRAICC (CRyosphere-Atmosphere Interactions in a Changing Arctic Climate), funded by NordForsk in the years 2011–2016, was the largest joint Nordic research and innovation initiative to date, aiming to strengthen research and innovation regarding climate change issues in the Nordic Region. CRAICC gathered more than 100 scientists from all Nordic countries in a virtual Centre with the objectives to identify and quantify the major processes controlling Arctic warming and related feedback mechanisms, to outline strategies to mitigate Arctic warming and to develop Nordic Earth System modelling with a focus on the short-lived climate forcers (SLCF), including natural and anthropogenic aerosols. The outcome of CRAICC is reflected in more than 150 peer-reviewed scientific publications, most of which are in the CRAICC special-issue of the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. This manuscript presents an overview on the main scientific topics investigated in the Centre and provides the reader a state-of-the-art comprehensive summary of what has been achieved in CRAICC with links to the particular publications for further detail. Facing the vast amount of outcomes we are not claiming to cover all results from CRAICC in this manuscript but concentrate here on the main results which are related to the feedback loops in the climate change-cryosphere interaction scheme affecting the Arctic amplification.The Nordic Centre of Excellence CRAICC (CRyosphere-Atmosphere Interactions in a Changing Arctic Climate), funded by NordForsk in the years 2011–2016, was the largest joint Nordic research and innovation initiative to date, aiming to strengthen research and innovation regarding climate change issues in the Nordic Region. CRAICC gathered more than 100 scientists from all Nordic countries in a virtual Centre with the objectives to identify and quantify the major processes controlling Arctic warming and related feedback mechanisms, to outline strategies to mitigate Arctic warming and to develop Nordic Earth System modelling with a focus on the short-lived climate forcers (SLCF), including natural and anthropogenic aerosols. The outcome of CRAICC is reflected in more than 150 peer-reviewed scientific publications, most of which are in the CRAICC special-issue of the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. This manuscript presents an overview on the main scientific topics investigated in the Centre and provides the reader a state-of-the-art comprehensive summary of what has been achieved in CRAICC with links to the particular publications for further detail. Facing the vast amount of outcomes we are not claiming to cover all results from CRAICC in this manuscript but concentrate here on the main results which are related to the feedback loops in the climate change-cryosphere interaction scheme affecting the Arctic amplification.Peer reviewe

Interactions between the atmosphere, cryosphere, and ecosystems at northern high latitudes

Abstract The Nordic Centre of Excellence CRAICC (Cryosphere–Atmosphere Interactions in a Changing Arctic Climate), funded by NordForsk in the years 2011–2016, is the largest joint Nordic research and innovation initiative to date, aiming to strengthen research and innovation regarding climate change issues in the Nordic region. CRAICC gathered more than 100 scientists from all Nordic countries in a virtual centre with the objectives of identifying and quantifying the major processes controlling Arctic warming and related feedback mechanisms, outlining strategies to mitigate Arctic warming, and developing Nordic Earth system modelling with a focus on short-lived climate forcers (SLCFs), including natural and anthropogenic aerosols. The outcome of CRAICC is reflected in more than 150 peer-reviewed scientific publications, most of which are in the CRAICC special issue of the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. This paper presents an overview of the main scientific topics investigated in the centre and provides the reader with a state-of-the-art comprehensive summary of what has been achieved in CRAICC with links to the particular publications for further detail. Faced with a vast amount of scientific discovery, we do not claim to completely summarize the results from CRAICC within this paper, but rather concentrate here on the main results which are related to feedback loops in climate change–cryosphere interactions that affect Arctic amplification