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The Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from
Aircraft and Satellites (ARCTAS) mission is aimed at learning
more about the state of the Arctic atmosphere and reporting on
the changes that have occurred as a result of pollution. Because
the accumulation of northern mid-latitude pollution is at a peak
in April, ARCTAS will focus its spring deployment on the
environmental consequences.
Radiative forcing from thick aerosol layers ("arctic haze") and
black carbon deposition to snow modify regional and global climate.
Seasonal build-up of tropospheric ozone and its precursors affects
the ozone budget on a hemispheric scale. In addition, the deposition
of mercury transported from mid-latitudes is a recognized threat to
arctic ecosystems.
While we know these problems exist, there remain large uncertainties
regarding the transport pathways from mid-latitudes to the Arctic,
and the relative contributions of different source regions to arctic
pollution. Integration of satellite and aircraft observations with
models through ARCTAS provides a means to address this issue.
For more information about ARCTAS from Researcher News, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/news/researchernews/rn_ARCTAS.html.
For the ARCTAS Project home page hosted by the Earth Science Project Office(ESPO)
at NASA Ames, visit: http://www.espo.nasa.gov/arctas/
Funding for the deployment of the NASA King Air was provided by NASA and the Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Science Program.
Logistical support was provided by NOAA ESRL. The information contained herein is provided as a public service, with the understanding
that NASA, DOE, NOAA, and the ARCTAS project collaborators make no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the
accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information. Do not quote or cite without permission. Permission for use of
these data and additional information may be obtained from the investigating scientists: Chris Hostetler, Richard Ferrare, or John Hair.
The data are preliminary and subject to change.
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