Aerosol physical properties in Spitsbergen's fjords: Hornsund and Kongsfjorden during AREX campaigns in 2014 and 2015

Abstract

We present results of measurements of aerosol physical properties conducted on board of r/v Oceania during two cruises to the Spitsbergen region in 2014 (AREX 2014) and 2015 (AREX 2015). Measurements of aerosol size distribution, aerosol scattering coefficient and black carbon concentrations were made in two different Spitsbergen fjords: Hornsund and Kongsfjorden. The aerosol size distribution was measured in the size range from 0.09 μm to 47 μm using two aerosol size distribution spectrometers and a standard condensation particle counter. For the scattering coefficient an integrating nephelometer was used. Black carbon concentration was measured by an aethalometer. Temporal variabilities in physical properties of aerosol observed during the AREX 2014 and AREX 2015 campaigns were much higher than the differences between both fjords. The basic factors influencing aerosol conditions were advection and local generation of marine aerosol. In 2015 an episode of smoke advection was observed in both fjords causing an increase in the mean black carbon concentration from 7–12 ng m−3 to about 60 ng m−3, and an aerosol scattering coefficient at 550 nm from 2–4 Mm−1 to 12–17 Mm−1. Moreover, under certain conditions statistically significant gradients in aerosol optical properties were observed along the fjord axis reflecting an impact of mountains surrounding the fjords.

Keywords

• Arctic aerosol
• Sea spray
• Black carbon concentration
• Scattering coefficient
• Ångström exponent