NASA Climate Study in the Arctic

ARCTAS Project to Determine Impact of Pollution on Arctic Climate

May 19, 2008

NASA's ARCTAS Project studies the impact of natural and artifical air pollution on the Arctic, by combining aircraft measurements and satellite data to determine effects.

With the latest controversy concerning the decision to list polar bears as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and attention focused on the melting ice pack, the Arctic is one of the most important areas of climate study. NASA’s ARCTAS or Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites, studies the impact of the atmosphere on the Arctic. When concluded, the research will be able to point out the impact of air pollution on climate change in the Arctic.

NASA's ARCTAS Project

Based in Fairbanks, Alaska, the first campaign of the ARCTAS program includes 30 research teams made up of nearly 150 scientists. The teams began recording data in April 2008, using a combination of aircraft measurements and satellite data. The ARCTAS project is part of a larger international effort called POLARCAT.

The aircraft with specialized instruments, measure gases, aerosols and solar radiation amounts of the lower atmosphere or troposphere. This method allows the scientists to study the impact of pollution, both natural and artificial on arctic regions. Measurements from the “arctic haze” or layer of thick aerosols and pollutions will help determine its chemistry.

Earth-observing satellites are used to measure more exact amounts, heights and types of aerosols in the atmosphere. These satellites orbiting over the Arctic include Aura, Terra and CALIPSO or Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation.

Importance of Combining Data from Aircraft and Satellite

Combining aircraft measurements with satellite data will provide an enhanced understanding of how the atmosphere may impact climate change specific to the Arctic region. Because satellite data from the Arctic can be hard to interpret, due to cloud cover and reflective surfaces, the aircraft measurements will be used to supplement the satellite data.

ARCTAS Second Campaign - Alberta Canada

The ARCTAS second campaign later this summer will be conducted in Alberta Canada. The second campaign will measure natural air pollution or emissions from forest fires. The data will show how these natural impacts affect the atmosphere. Then, NASA will be able to compare the natural pollution impacts with pollution contributed from human activities.

Presently, the amount and depth of information on air pollution’s impact on the Arctic is limited. ARCTAS research and other ongoing projects will determine the impact of air pollution on the Arctic. This will allow NASA and other government programs, such as NOAA or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to set benchmarks and make models in order to make improved predictions on warming in the Arctic.

The copyright of the article NASA Climate Study in the Arctic in Climate Change is owned by Aurae Beidler. Permission to republish NASA Climate Study in the Arctic in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.