Surface layer O3 and NOx in the Arctic: the in uence of boundary layer dynamics, snowpack chemistry, surface exchanges, and seasonality

The snowpack is a region of active chemistry. Aqueous chemistry in a quasi-liquid layer on snow grains and gas-phase chemical reactions in snow interstitial air can lead to the production or destruction of important trace gases. Physical transport parameters such as wind pumping and diffusion affect the vertical distribution of gases within the snowpack. The resulting emission or uptake of trace gases at the atmosphere-snowpack interface can have significant influence on the chemistry of the lower atmosphere. In this work the dynamic interactions between the snowpack and atmosphere are examined from multiple perspectives. The primary focus is on ozone (O3) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the Arctic, a region undergoing widespread environmental change. To investigate an ice-sheet location with year round snow cover data from a two-year campaign at Summit, Greenland are implemented. At Summit this study examines (1) the processes contributing to vigorous chemistry in snow interstitial air, and (2) the role of the boundary layer over snow in determining surface layer NOx. Physical and chemical processes are shown to contribute to distinct seasonal and diurnal cycles of O3, NO, and NO2 in the snowpack. Boundary layer depths estimated from sonic anemometer turbulence quantities are used alongside sodar-derived values to show that the depth of the stable to weakly stable boundary layer at Summit was not a primary factor in determining NOx in early summer. Motivated by observations of an increase in the length of the snow-free season in the Arctic in recent decades, data from a one-year experiment at the seasonally-snow covered location of Toolik Lake, AK are also incorporated. This study shows the first observations of springtime ozone depletion events at a location over 200 km from the coast in the Arctic. FLEXPART analysis is used to illustrate that these inland events are linked to transport conditions. Lastly at this location, eddy-covariance O3 fluxes were calculated to characterize deposition of O3&nbsp;to the Arctic tundra surface in the summertime. Surface deposition in combination with stability conditions is shown to contribute to the development of a diurnal cycle in surface O3&nbsp;with amplitude ranging 5 to 35 ppbv.</p

Latitudinal gradient of spruce forest understory and tundra phenology in Alaska as observed from satellite and ground-based data

The latitudinal gradient of the start of the growing season (SOS) and the end of the growing season (EOS) were quantified in Alaska (61°N to 71°N) using satellite-based and ground-based datasets. The Alaskan evergreen needleleaf forests are sparse and the understory vegetation has a substantial impact on the satellite signal. We evaluated SOS and EOS of understory and tundra vegetation using time-lapse camera images. From the comparison of three SOS algorithms for determining SOS from two satellite datasets (SPOT-VEGETATION and Terra-MODIS), we found that the satellite-based SOS timing was consistent with the leaf emergence of the forest understory and tundra vegetation. The ensemble average of SOS over all satellite algorithms can be used as a measure of spring leaf emergence for understory and tundra vegetation. In contrast, the relationship between the ground-based and satellite-based EOSs was not as strong as that of SOS both for boreal forest and tundra sites because of the large biases between those two EOSs (19 to 26 days). The satellite-based EOS was more relevant to snowfall events than the senescence of understory or tundra. The plant canopy radiative transfer simulation suggested that 84–86% of the NDVI seasonal amplitude could be a reasonable threshold for the EOS determination. The latitudinal gradients of SOS and EOS evaluated by the satellite and ground data were consistent and the satellite-derived SOS and EOS were 3.5 to 5.7 days degree− 1 and − 2.3 to − 2.7 days degree− 1, which corresponded to the spring (May) temperature sensitivity of − 2.5 to − 3.9 days °C− 1 in SOS and the autumn (August and September) temperature sensitivity of 3.0 to 4.6 days °C− 1 in EOS. This demonstrates the possible impact of phenology in spruce forest understory and tundra ecosystems in response to climate change in the warming Artic and sub-Arctic regions

Climate Change and Unalakleet: A Deep Analysis

This multi-disciplinary science and Indigenous knowledge assessment paper reviews over 20 years of research materials, oral histories and Indigenous views on climate change affecting Unalakleet, Alaska, USA and Norton Sound. It brings a historical review, statistical analysis, community-based observations and wisdom from Unalakleet Iñupiaq knowledge holders into a critical reading of the current state of climate change impacts in the region. Through this process, two keystone species, Pacific salmon and caribou, are explored as indicators of change to convey the significance of climate impacts. We rely on this historical context to analyse the root causes of the climate crisis as experienced in Alaska, and as a result we position Indigenous resurgence, restoration and wisdom as answers

Dynamics of ozone and nitrogen oxides at Summit, Greenland: I. Multi-year observations in the snowpack

© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. A multi-year investigation of ozone (O3) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in snowpack interstitial air down to a depth of 2.8 m was conducted at Summit, Greenland, to elucidate mechanisms controlling the production and destruction of these important trace gases within the snow. Snowpack O3 values ranged from 30 to 40 ppbv during winter months, and dropped below 10 ppbv in summer. Wintertime NOx levels were low at all depths in the snowpack (below 10 pptv for NO and below 25 pptv for NO2). In the summer, NO values up to 120 pptv, and NO2 mixing ratios up to ∼700 pptv were observed. O3 loss within the snowpack was observed throughout all seasons. The magnitude of the O3 loss rate tracked the seasonal and diurnal cycle of incoming short wave solar radiation. Production of NO within a shallow layer of the snowpack was recorded during the spring and summer months. NO2 production also occurred, and heightened levels were measured down to 2.5 m in the snowpack. The average daily maximum in NO was observed at solar noon, and the minimum was seen during night. The daily peak in NO2 was on average 7 h shifted from the incoming solar radiation and NO maxima. NOx levels in interstitial air during spring were enhanced relative to summer and fall. The influence of meteorological effects such as wind pumping on snowpack interstitial air levels of O3 and NOx was investigated using case study periods. Increased snowpack ventilation during high wind events was found to yield enhancement in snowpack NOx, with this effect being enhanced during times when O3 was elevated in ambient air. This behavior suggests that O3 is involved in NOx production in the snowpack. This extensive set of observations is used to re-evaluate physical and chemical processes that describe the dynamic O3 and NOx chemistry occurring within snowpack interstitial air at Summit

Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability: Cross-Chapter Paper 6: Polar Regions

CCP6 assesses the climate change impacts and risks to ecosystems and human systems in Polar Regions, as well as options for adaptation and climate resilient development