Long-term measurements of nitrogen oxides at the GEOSummit station, Greenland

Pollution from fossil fuel combustion is often transported to the Arctic region from nearby continents resulting in an increase in greenhouse gases. The Arctic climate is particularly sensitive to the effects of greenhouse gases. The initial rise in temperature reduces ice cover, exposing the darker oceans below which absorb more radiation leading to further warming. Monitoring these pollutants in the Arctic is important to understand the changes that have occurred and the impact on the future climate. This project will provide long-term measurements of nitrogen oxides at the GEOSummit Station, Greenland. Polluted air from human activities and forest fires can contain relatively high levels of nitrogen oxides. When transported to the Arctic, these nitrogen oxides can foster the production of ozone, a significant greenhouse gas. The measurements will provide important information on the concentrations of nitrogen oxides transported to the Arctic, which vary both seasonally and annually and the resulting impact on Arctic ozone levels. The project will contribute to the Arctic Observing Network (AON) and the Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH). The data will be made available to researchers for studies to improve understanding of current impacts of transported pollution on greenhouse gas levels and estimates of climate change feedbacks within the Arctic. The data will also be utilized by educators for classroom teaching and support the training of new graduate students by providing a unique opportunity to further their research interests and educational growth in the field of atmospheric sciences, using state of the art technology.化石燃料燃烧产生的污染物常通过大气传输从邻近大陆抵达北极地区，进而导致温室气体浓度升高。北极气候对温室气体的影响尤为敏感。最初的气温升高会缩减海冰覆盖范围，露出下方颜色更深的海洋，后者会吸收更多辐射，进而引发进一步的气候变暖。对北极地区的这类污染物进行监测，有助于理解已发生的气候变化及其对未来气候的影响。本项目将在格陵兰乔治峰观测站（GEOSummit Station）开展氮氧化物（nitrogen oxides）的长期监测工作。人类活动与森林火灾产生的污染空气通常含有浓度较高的氮氧化物。这类氮氧化物被输送至北极后，会促进臭氧——一种重要的温室气体——的生成。本次监测将提供有关输送至北极的氮氧化物浓度的关键数据，该浓度存在季节与年际变化，同时还将揭示其对北极臭氧水平造成的相应影响。本项目将助力北极观测网络（Arctic Observing Network, AON）与北极环境变化研究计划（Study of Environmental Arctic Change, SEARCH）的开展。相关数据将向研究人员开放，用于开展相关研究，以加深对输送型污染对北极温室气体浓度当前影响的理解，并优化北极区域气候变化反馈效应的评估。此外，这些数据还将供教育工作者用于课堂教学，并借助最先进的技术为研究生新生提供独特的实践机会，助力其在大气科学领域拓展研究兴趣、实现学术成长，进而支持新一代研究生的培养工作。