Composition and mixing state of individual aerosol particles from northeast Greenland and Svalbard in the Arctic during spring 2018

The Arctic region is warming about four times faster than the rest of the globe, and thus it is important to understand the processes driving climate change in this region. Aerosols are a significant component of the Arctic climate system as they form ice crystals and liquid droplets that control the dynamics of clouds and also directly interact with solar radiation, depending on the compositions and mixing states of individual particles. Here, we report on the characteristics of submicron-sized aerosol particles using transmission electron microscopy obtained at two high Arctic sites, northeast Greenland (Villum Research Station) and Svalbard (Zeppelin Observatory), during spring 2018. The results showed that a dominant compound in the submicron-sized spring aerosols was sulfate, followed by sea salt particles. Both model simulations and observations at the Zeppelin Observatory showed that sea salt particles became more prevalent when low-pressure systems passed by the station. Model simulations indicate that both sampling sites were affected by diffused and diluted long-range transport of anthropogenic aerosols from lower latitudes with negligible influences of biomass burning emissions during the observation period. Overall, the composition of measured aerosol particles from the two Arctic sites was generally similar and showed no apparent variation except for the sea salt fractions. This study shows a general picture of high Arctic aerosol particles influenced by marine sources and diffused long-range transport of anthropogenic sources during the Arctic spring period. These results will contribute to a better knowledge of the aerosol composition and mixing state during the Arctic spring, which helps to understand the contributions of aerosols to the Arctic climate.

Automated summary

The Arctic region is warming at an accelerated rate compared to the rest of the world, making it crucial to understand the factors driving climate change in this area. This study examines the characteristics of submicron-sized aerosol particles collected at two high Arctic sites during the spring of 2018. The findings reveal that sulfate and sea salt particles are the dominant compounds in these aerosols, with sea salt particles becoming more prevalent when low-pressure systems pass by the research stations. The study also indicates that the aerosol particles at the two Arctic sites had similar compositions, except for the sea salt fractions. Overall, this research provides insights into the composition and mixing state of aerosol particles during the Arctic spring, contributing to a better understanding of their impact on the Arctic climate.