Dr. Neil Trivett Global Atmosphere Watch Observatory: Difference between revisions
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Expanded description of research activities at the observatory |
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In 1992, the original observatory building was expanded to roughly three times its size, including the addition of a 10 m tall walk-up tower. |
In 1992, the original observatory building was expanded to roughly three times its size, including the addition of a 10 m tall walk-up tower. |
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Following the death of Dr. Neil Trivett in 2002 |
Following the death of Dr. Neil Trivett in 2002 (an Environment Canada researcher who was largely responsible for the construction of the observatory), it was officially renamed in July 2006 as the Dr. Neil Trivett Global Atmosphere Watch Observatory.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Whitnell|first1=Tim|title=Scientist honoured for work|url=http://www.thespec.com/news-story/2964713-scientist-honoured-for-work/|accessdate=22 January 2017|work=The Hamilton Spectator|publisher=Metroland Media Group|date=2006-08-20}}</ref> |
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==Measurements== |
==Measurements and Research== |
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In addition to the ongoing flask sample programs, the observatory maintains a core group of continuous measurement programs which include monitoring of [[aerosol]]s, [[mercury (element)|mercury]], [[greenhouse gas]]es, [[ozone]] (both ground level and stratospheric), broadband [[solar irradiance]] and [[albedo]], [[permafrost]] levels, [[persistent organic pollutant]]s (POPs), and ground level meteorological conditions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Alert (Canada)|url=https://gawsis.meteoswiss.ch/GAWSIS//index.html#/search/station/stationReportDetails/487|website=GAWSIS Station Information System|publisher=World Meteorological Organization|accessdate=22 January 2017}}</ref> |
In addition to the ongoing flask sample programs, the observatory maintains a core group of continuous measurement programs which include monitoring of [[aerosol]]s, [[mercury (element)|mercury]], [[greenhouse gas]]es, [[ozone]] (both ground level and stratospheric), broadband [[solar irradiance]] and [[albedo]], [[permafrost]] levels, [[persistent organic pollutant]]s (POPs), and ground level meteorological conditions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Alert (Canada)|url=https://gawsis.meteoswiss.ch/GAWSIS//index.html#/search/station/stationReportDetails/487|website=GAWSIS Station Information System|publisher=World Meteorological Organization|accessdate=22 January 2017}}</ref> |
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The observatory also supports experimental testing of new monitoring equipment, and short-term, intensive research programs, e.g., NETCARE (Network on Climate and Aerosols: Addressing Key Uncertainties in Remote Canadian Environments).<ref>{{cite web|title=NETCARE Website|url=https://www.netcare-project.ca/|website=www.netcare-project.ca|publisher=NETCARE|accessdate=23 January 2017}}</ref> |
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Much of the research and data collection at the observatory is collaborative, including long-standing partnerships with, e.g., [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref>{{cite web|title=BSRN Stations|url=https://www.pangaea.de/ddi?request=bsrn/BSRNEvent&format=html&title=BSRN+Stations|website=www.pangaea.de|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=ESRL/GMD Aerosols Group - Alert Station Information|url=https://esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/aero/net/alt.html|website=esrl.noaa.gov|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=23 January 2017|language=EN-US}}</ref>, the [[University of Heidelberg]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Institut für Umweltphysik|url=http://www.iup.uni-heidelberg.de/institut/forschung/groups/kk/en/index_html|website=www.iup.uni-heidelberg.de}}</ref>, and the [[Scripps Institution of Oceanography]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Scripps CO2 Program|url=http://scrippsco2.ucsd.edu/|website=scrippsco2.ucsd.edu|language=en}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 03:28, 23 January 2017
 The observatory as it appeared on June 1, 2016 | |
| Alternative names | NOAA arctic atmospheric observatory at Alert |
|---|---|
| Organization | Environment and Climate Change Canada |
| Location | Alert, Nunavut, Canada |
| Coordinates | 82°27′03″N 62°30′26″W / 82.45083°N 62.50722°W |
| Altitude | 185 m |
| Established | August 29, 1986 |
| Website | www |
  Dr. Neil Trivett Global Atmosphere Watch Observatory Location in Arctic | |
 Related media on Commons | |
The Dr. Neil Trivett Global Atmosphere Watch Observatory is an atmospheric baseline station operated by Environment and Climate Change Canada located at Alert, Nunavut, on the north-eastern tip of Ellesmere Island, about 800 km south of the geographic north pole.
The observatory is the northernmost of 31 Global Stations in an international network coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) under its Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) program to study the long-term effects of pollution on the atmospheric environment.[1] Among these 31 stations, Alert is one of three so-called 'intercomparison supersites', along with Mauna Loa in Hawaii and Cape Grim in Australia, which, due to their locations far from industrial activity, provide the international scientific community with a baseline record of atmospheric chemistry.
History
The establishment of the Joint Arctic Weather Station (JAWS) on April 9, 1950[2] marked the beginning of continuous meteorological measurements in Alert. The weather station frequently provided support for scientific research in Alert, including the collection of weekly flask samples for the measurement of carbon dioxide, the first of which was taken on July 8, 1975.[3]
Increasing interest in studies of phenomena such as Arctic haze led to the expansion of regular sampling in Alert to include high-volume filter samples for the study of aerosols, under the auspices of the Canadian Arctic Aerosol Sampling Network (CAASN). In 1984, the program was condensed and refocused. The sampling programs in Igloolik and Mould Bay were discontinued, and the program in Alert became part of the core mandate of the newly formed Canadian Arctic Aerosol Chemistry Program (CAACP).[4]
The gradually increasing amount of experimental research being done in Alert made the construction of a permanent observatory a viable option. In 1985, the Canadian Baseline Program was founded, and on August 29 the following year the Alert Background Air Pollution Monitoring Network (BAPMoN) Observatory was officially opened. In 1989, the WMO's BAPMoN program was merged with the Global Ozone Observing System (GO3OS) to form the Global Atmosphere Watch Program.[5]
In 1992, the original observatory building was expanded to roughly three times its size, including the addition of a 10 m tall walk-up tower.
Following the death of Dr. Neil Trivett in 2002 (an Environment Canada researcher who was largely responsible for the construction of the observatory), it was officially renamed in July 2006 as the Dr. Neil Trivett Global Atmosphere Watch Observatory.[6]
Measurements and Research
In addition to the ongoing flask sample programs, the observatory maintains a core group of continuous measurement programs which include monitoring of aerosols, mercury, greenhouse gases, ozone (both ground level and stratospheric), broadband solar irradiance and albedo, permafrost levels, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and ground level meteorological conditions.[7]
The observatory also supports experimental testing of new monitoring equipment, and short-term, intensive research programs, e.g., NETCARE (Network on Climate and Aerosols: Addressing Key Uncertainties in Remote Canadian Environments).[8]
Much of the research and data collection at the observatory is collaborative, including long-standing partnerships with, e.g., NOAA[9][10], the University of Heidelberg[11], and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.[12]
References
- ^ "GAW Global Stations". WMO Extranet. World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Retrieved 22 January 2017.
- ^ Johnson, J. Peter Jr. (March 1990). "The Establishment of Alert, N.W.T., Canada". Arctic. 43 (1): 21–34. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
- ^ "World Data Centre for Greenhouse Gases". World Data Centre for Greenhouse Gases. Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
- ^ "Canadian Arctic Aerosol Chemistry Program (CAACP)". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
- ^ "Background and History". WMO Extranet. World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
- ^ Whitnell, Tim (2006-08-20). "Scientist honoured for work". The Hamilton Spectator. Metroland Media Group. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
- ^ "Alert (Canada)". GAWSIS Station Information System. World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
- ^ "NETCARE Website". www.netcare-project.ca. NETCARE. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
- ^ "BSRN Stations". www.pangaea.de.
- ^ "ESRL/GMD Aerosols Group - Alert Station Information". esrl.noaa.gov. NOAA. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
- ^ "Institut für Umweltphysik". www.iup.uni-heidelberg.de.
- ^ "Scripps CO2 Program". scrippsco2.ucsd.edu.