Investigation of microphysical characteristics and chemical composition of near-ground aerosol in Barentsburg (Spitsbergen) in the spring and summer seasons of 2011-2015

Since 2011, the Institute of Atmospheric Optics (IAO SB RAS, Tomsk) and the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute of the Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (AARI, St. Petersburg) conduct field studies of near-ground aerosol characteristics at the Spitsbergen archipelago (Barentsburg) in the spring and summer seasons. The following parameters are measured in the atmospheric surface layer: aerosol particle number density and volume particle size distribution; mass concentrations of aerosol and absorbing matter (black carbon); coefficients of total aerosol scattering and aerosol backscattering in the visible spectral region. The experimental findings obtained in 2011– 2015 are reported. Peculiarities of the seasonal and year-to-year variability of the aerosol characteristics are revealed. The results of investigation of the chemical composition of the near-ground aerosol in Barentsburg are discussed.