Articles | Volume 10, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-1473-2010
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-1473-2010
15 Feb 2010
 | 15 Feb 2010

Aerosol distribution around Svalbard during intense easterly winds

A. Dörnbrack, I. S. Stachlewska, C. Ritter, and R. Neuber

Abstract. 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.

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