William Joseph Campbell (meteorologist)

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William Joseph Campbell
Commemorative drawing of William J. Campbell by artist Scott Bailey
Born(1930-05-01)May 1, 1930
Brooklyn, New York
DiedNovember 20, 1992(1992-11-20) (aged 62)
Gig Harbor, Washington
Alma materUniversity of Washington
Known for
Scientific career
FieldsMeteorology
InstitutionsUnited States Geological Survey

William Joseph Campbell (May 1, 1930 – November 20, 1992) was a ranking meteorologist for the United States Geological Survey. He was a pioneer of the remote sensing of the polar regions and an expert on polar ice.[1][2]

William devoted his career to investigating and developing the use of aircraft and satellite remote sensing methods to study the interrelationships of polar ice caps, glaciers, sea ice, ice sheets, and snow packs to climate and the hydrological cycle.[3]

Early life and education[edit]

William Joseph and his twin brother Richard Arthur were born to Dorothy Regan T. Campbell and William J. Campbell on May 1, 1930, in Brooklyn, New York. William and his twin brother grew up in a rough neighborhood during the Great Depression and graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School.

William earned a B.S. at the University of Alaska and an M.S. and a Ph.D. from the atmospheric department at the University of Washington. He was the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship to University of Cambridge in England from 1960 to 1961.[4]

Career and research[edit]

In 1964, William J. Campbell joined the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a branch of the Department of the Interior, as a member of a team studying sea-ice and glacier dynamics.[1] In 1969, he was appointed chief of the agency's Ice Dynamics Research Project, a research group based at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, where he was a professor in the Department of Physics.

William J. Campbell taught several years at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and during his career he lectured and taught at many American and foreign universities, including those in England, Norway, France, Germany, Austria, Russia, Japan, Australia, and China.[2] Throughout his life, William J. Campbell was an advocate of international cooperation between the world's scientists, especially the geophysicists.

At the end of the 1960's with his colleague Wilford F. Weeks, William J. Campbell published an appraisal on using icebergs as a fresh water source.[5] The idea of towing large tabular Antarctic icebergs thousands of miles to arid coasts became immediately popular.[6][7][8] The Saudis funded French engineers at the CICERO company to study the feasibility of bringing Antarctic tabular icebergs to Saudi Arabia.[9][10][11][12]

William J. Campbell authored and co-authored more than 130 research papers and was widely sought as an expert on sea-ice dynamics and polar remote sensing.[1]

Polar Exploration and Research/Observations[edit]

During his graduate work, William studied ice physics, and he took part in the International Geophysical Year. He spent 15 months drifting in the Arctic Ocean on the ice island Alpha,[13] he was a member of the first research team to dive under the arctic ice pack[2] and survived a plane crash in Alaska. In 1962 and 1963, he participated in two traverses of Antarctica and survived another plane crash near the South Pole.[4]

His interest in polar research led him to both the Arctic and Antarctic regions to conduct research on 11 expeditions. Campbell Hills (Antarctica), 8 km west south west of Cape Lyttelton on the south side of Nimrod Glacier, was named in recognition of his Antarctic work.[2]

Remote Sensing of the Cryosphere[edit]

Before the satellite era, sea ice was one of the least understood variables in Earth’s climate system.[14] Knowing firsthand the difficulties of doing physical work and research in the remote, vast, and hazardous environment of the polar regions, William pioneered the use of remote sensing techniques to observe the cryosphere. Since the polar regions are dark six months of the year and largely cloud covered, using the visible light was not suitable for monitoring the polar regions. He demonstrated and promoted the use of satellite microwave instruments to acquire global coverage of the Polar Regions during all weather conditions and periods of darkness.[3]

The first satellite passive-microwave atlases of the Polar Regions published by NASA in the 1980-90s represented a culmination point of William’s work that started during the IGY in 1957–58 and was followed with the 1970s AIDJEX, BESEX, POLEX, NORSEX international experiments that provided ground and airborne surface truth to continuously observe the Polar Regions globally.[15][16][17] The goal of establishing how to measure and record the changing extent of sea ice in both Polar Regions was largely accomplished by the end of the 1980s.[14] In the following years, thanks to this work it became clear that sea ice in the Arctic was undergoing fundamental changes linked to climate change.[18]

International cooperation[edit]

William J. Campbell was instrumental in the development of interagency and international remote-sensing experiments of the polar ice regions and was a member and director of several international large-scale projects in that field.[1]

Throughout his career he represented USGS at numerous national and international symposia and scientific meetings. He was actively involved in the protection and preservation of the global environment giving regular lectures to students and environmental groups.[19][20][21][22][23][24][25]

William J. Campbell played a major role in coordinating remote sensing and surface measurements for several major international sea ice experiments. These experiments involved the use of drifting stations, ships and remote sensing aircraft and satellites.[3] These experiments include:

  • the Arctic Ice Dynamics Joint Experiment (AIDJEX) [26][27][28][29]
  • the joint U.S./U.S.S.R. Bering Sea Ice Experiment (BESEX)[30][31][32][33][34]
  • the Polar Experiment (POLEX)[35]
  • the SKYLAB Snow and Ice Experiment[36][37][38]
  • the Norwegian Remote Sensing Experiment (NORSEX) [39]
  • the international Marginal Ice Zone Experiments (MIZEX)[40][41]
  • the international Seasonal Ice Zone Experiments (SIZEX) [42]

In 1970, after participating in the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) in Moscow, USSR, he hitchhiked by himself into the villages and collective farms around Moscow and found the USSR an "intensely friendly country". "The more the Russians and the Americans can visit, the better off the world will be. People, who eat, drink and love together, don't make war".[43]

Awards[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Saxon, Wolfgang (1992-11-27). "W. J. Campbell, 62, Meteorologist Who Was an Expert on Polar Ice". The New York Times. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Obituary: William J. Campbell". Antarctic Journal of the US. 28 (1): 27. 1993.
  3. ^ a b c "William T. Pecora Award" (PDF). U.S. Department of the Interior. 1988-01-01. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
  4. ^ a b "USGS Scientist in Tacoma receives Prestigious Norwegian Award" (Press release). Washington D.C. US Department of the Interior Geological Survey, Public Affairs Office. 1992-03-16.
  5. ^ Weeks, W.F.; Campbell, W.J. (1973-01-01). "Icebergs as a fresh water source: an appraisal". Journal of Glaciology. 12 (65): 207–234. Bibcode:1973JGlac..12..207W. doi:10.1017/S0022143000032044. hdl:11681/5796.
  6. ^ "The secrets of towing icebergs". The Cambridge Evening News. 1969-09-09.
  7. ^ "Melting Icebergs Seen Cheaper Than Desalting". The Washington Post. 1969-11-16.
  8. ^ "Icebergs Foreseen As Possible Rival To Desalting Plants". The New York Times. 1969-11-16.
  9. ^ "Icebergs seen as solution to aust irrigation". The Sydney Sun-Herald. 1973-07-29.
  10. ^ "Saudi Arabia Commissions Iceberg Study". The New York Times. 1976-11-03.
  11. ^ "Saudi Plans Ice-Towing Project". The Washington Post. 1977-10-07.
  12. ^ "World: Icebergs for Saudis". The Washington Post. 1979-05-03.
  13. ^ Cabaniss, G. H.; Hunkins, K. L.; Understeiner, N. "US-IGY Drifting Station Alpha Arctic Ocean 1957–1958" (PDF). U.S. Air Force Office of Aerospace Research. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
  14. ^ a b Viñas, Maria-José (2014-09-03). "Four Decades of Sea Ice From Space: The Beginning". nasa.gov. NASA. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
  15. ^ Zwally, H.J.; Comiso, J.C.; Parkinson, C.; Campbell, W.J.; Carsey, F.D.; Gloersen, P. (1983-01-01). "Antarctic sea ice, 1973–76: Satellite passive microwave observations". nasa.gov. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
  16. ^ Parkinson, C.; Comiso, J.C.; Zwally, H.J.; Cavalieri, D.J.; Gloersen, P.; Campbell, W.J. (1987-01-01). "Arctic sea ice, 1973–76: Satellite passive microwave observations". nasa.gov. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
  17. ^ Gloersen, P.; Campbell, W.J.; Cavalieri, D.J.; Comiso, J.C.; Parkinson, C.; Zwally, H.J. (1992-01-01). "Arctic and Antarctic sea ice, 1978–87: Satellite passive-microwave observations and analysis". nasa.gov. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
  18. ^ Gloersen, P.; Campbell, W.J. (1991). "Recent variations in Arctic and Antarctic sea-ice covers". Nature. 352 (6330): 33–36. Bibcode:1991Natur.352...33G. doi:10.1038/352033a0. S2CID 4365098. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
  19. ^ Fuchs, Vivian (1977-01-01). Forces of Nature. London, England: Thames Hudson, Ltd. pp. 265–296. ISBN 9780030175916.
  20. ^ Williams, Hill (1969-11-17). "Threat to Environment Seen in Alaska Oil Boom". The Seattle Times. Seattle, WA.
  21. ^ Combs, Sarah (1970-12-11). "Cold Edge of the World Is This Scientist Domain". Puget Sound Trail.
  22. ^ MacNey, Malcolm (1971-04-21). "Lecturer Urges Caution In New Ecological Ethic". The Tacoma News Tribune.
  23. ^ MacNey, Malcolm (1971-04-22). "Ecological Predicaments' Cause Cited by Dr. Campbell". The Tacoma News Tribune.
  24. ^ MacNey, Malcolm (1971-04-23). "Scientist lays Environment Woes Partly to Christianity". The Tacoma News Tribune.
  25. ^ "Man Must Combine Technology And Nature". Puget Sound Trail. 1971-04-23.
  26. ^ Campbell, W.J.; Wayenberg, J.A.; Ramseyer, J.; Ramseier, R.O.; Vant, M.R.; Weaver, R.; Redmond, A.; Arsenault, L.; Gloersen, P.; Zwally, H.J.; Wilheit, T.T.; Chang, A.T.C.; Hall, D.; Gray, L.; Meeks, D.C.; Bryan, M.L.; Barath, F.T.; Elachi, C.; Leberl, F.; Farr, T. (1978). "Microwave remote sensing of sea ice in the AIDJEX Main Experiment". Boundary-Layer Meteorology. 13 (1–4): 309–337. Bibcode:1978BoLMe..13..309C. doi:10.1007/BF00913880. S2CID 119557152. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  27. ^ "Studies of "Fickle but Vital" sea ice intensified" (Press release). US Dept of the Interior Geological Survey, News Release. 1974-01-16.
  28. ^ "Scientists on new floe, Ice research project goes on". Wenatchee World. 1975-10-22.
  29. ^ Erickson, James (1975-12-21). "North Pole Christmas, .. and Santa was here". The Tacoma News Tribune.
  30. ^ Campbell, W.J.; Gloersen, P.; Ramseier, R.O. (May 1974). "Synoptic ice dynamics and atmospheric circulation during the Bering Sea Experiment: Results of the US contribution to the Joint US/USSR Bering Sea Experiment" (PDF). nasa.gov. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
  31. ^ Dean, Suzanne (1973-02-04). "Russ-U.S. launch ice cap study". The Herald Republic.
  32. ^ "U.S., Russia Arctic cap eyed". Wenatchee World. 1973-02-04.
  33. ^ MacNey, Malcolm (1973-02-25). "Bering Sea Researched by Airplane". The Tacoma News Tribune.
  34. ^ ""Bering Sea Studies Prove Successful"" (Press release). GSFC Goddard News. NASA. July 1974.
  35. ^ Campbell, W.J. (1974-01-01). "Climate record. In: US. Contribution to the Polar Experiment. (POLEX). Part 1. POLEX-GARP (NORTH)". Polar Record. 17 (108): 277–294. doi:10.1017/S0032247400031934. S2CID 140557549. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
  36. ^ Campbell, W.J.; Ramseier, R.O.; Weeks, W.F.; Wayenberg, J.A. (June 1974). "Preliminary results of lake and sea ice experiments" (PDF). nasa.gov. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
  37. ^ Campbell, W.J., R.O. Ramseier, W.F. Weeks, and J.A. Wayenberg, Visual observations of floating ice from Skylab: in Skylab Explores the Earth, NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, NASA SP-380, pp. 353–379, 1977b. Campbell, W.J.; Ramseier, R.O.; Weeks, W.F.; Wayenberg, J.A. (1977-02-01). "Visual observations of floating ice from Skylab: in Skylab Explores the Earth". researchgate.net. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
  38. ^ Churchill, M.J. (1975-02-27). "Tacoman wins honors for work with SKYLAB III". The Tacoma news Tribune. Tacoma.
  39. ^ Farrelly, B.; Johannessen, J.A.; Johannessen, O.M.; Svendsen, E.; Kloster, K.; Horjen, I.; Matzler, C.; Campbell, W.J.; Crawford, J.; Harrington, R.; Jones, L.; Swift, C.; Delnore, V.E.; Cavalieri, D.; Gloersen, P.; Hsiao, S.V.; Shemdin, O.H.; Thompson, T.W.; Ramseier, R.O. (1983). "Norwegian remote sensing experiment in a marginal ice zone". Boundary-Layer Meteorology. 220 (4599): 781–787. Bibcode:1983Sci...220..781N. doi:10.1126/science.220.4599.781. PMID 17834155. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  40. ^ Johannessen, O.M.; Horn, D.A.; Augstein, E.; Baggeroer, A.; Burns, B.A.; Campbell, W.J.; Davidson, K.L.; Duckworth, G.L.; Dyier, I.; Farrelli, B.; Grenfell, T.; Heiberg, A.; Hibler, W.D.; Johannessen, J.A.; Josberger, E.G.; Lannelongue, N.; Manley, T.A.; Maykut, G.A.; McPhee, M.; Morison, J.; Muench, R.D.; Olaussen, T.; Onstott, R.G.; Sandven, S.; Shuchman, R.A.; Smith, S.L.; Smith, W.O.; Squire, V.A.; Svendsen, E.; Symonds, G.; Tucker, W.; Van Leer, J.C.; Whadams, P. (1986). "MIZEX East 83/84: The summer marginal ice zone program in the Fram Strait/Greenland Sea". EOS. 67 (23): 513–517. Bibcode:1986EOSTr..67..513M. doi:10.1029/EO067i023p00513. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  41. ^ Campbell, W.J.; Gloersen, P.; Josberger, E. G.; Johannessen, O. M.; Guest, P. S.; Mognard, N. M.; Shuchman, R.; Burns, B. A.; Lannelongue, N.; Davidson, K. L. (1987). "Variations of mesoscale and large-scale sea ice morphology in MIZEX-84 as observed by microwave remote sensing". Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans. 92 (C7): 6805–6824. doi:10.1029/JC092iC07p06805. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  42. ^ Carsey, Frank (1992-01-01). Microwave Remote Sensing of Sea Ice. Washington D.C., USA: American Geophysical Union. pp. 261–289. doi:10.1029/GM068p0261. hdl:1956/1098. ISBN 9781118663950.
  43. ^ MacNey, Malcolm (1971-10-03). "Hitchhiking in Russia Commended by Scientist". The Tacoma News Tribune. Tacoma.
  44. ^ "Honorary Degree Recipients". University of Puget Sound. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
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