The Canadian Aerosol Baseline Measurement (CABM) program under the Climate Chemistry Research Measurement and Air Quality Research sections are proposing to measure changes in the levels of absorbing (black carbon) and scattering aerosols and gases that may accompany increased ship traffic and increasing mining activities in the Canadian Arctic as well as from an increase in forest fires at more southern latitudes. In particular, black carbon, which is a strong light absorber and released into the atmosphere from the incomplete combustion of fuels, is recognized as one of the “Short Lived Climate Forcers” that may contribute to more rapid melting of Arctic ice.

The proposed measurements will allow us to estimate changes in the climate and air quality-related properties of the atmospheric aerosol and gases and they will be used to verify EC models for the prediction of Arctic climate and air quality. We already had measurements conducted at Resolute Bay location under the project NIBR number 13Y010 from June 2013 until June 2017. We are implementing same measurements at the Pond Inlet location. Both locations are closer to the predicted pathway for ships in the northwest passageway. We have already established baseline measurements at Resolute Bay and now proposing to install same set of instruments at Pond Inlet and would like to start these measurements in July so that the baseline conditions can be monitored before ship traffic increases significantly across the region. This site will also be a complimentary site to already operational site in the high Arctic at Alert, Nunavut.

No of people involved: There are at most 4 people traveling for initial installation and then at most two people for annual calibration of instruments.

Method of Transport: Transport from Resolute Bay to Pond Inlet will be via charter from Polar Continental Shelf. At Pond Inlet, we will need a truck to transport instruments.

Methodology: Various instruments are used to measure particles and gases; Continuous light absorbing photometer (CLAP) for particle absorption, Nephelometer for scattering, Scanning Mobility Particles Sizer for particle size distribution, Condensation Particle Counter (CPC), Single Particle Soot Photometer (SP2) for black carbon and Airpointer that will measure gases such as SO2, O3, CO, and PM2.5 concentrations.

There data collection will be from several in-situ instruments.
Data: This Arctic site will be an additional 5th site to Canadian Aerosol Baseline Measurement (CABM) program already in operation since 2005. The data will be used to support: the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) atmospheric & climate change research and will be submitted to the World Data Center.

Reporting: Data will be archived in both internal and publicly available databases (e.g. WMO, NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration, AMAP. Research results are published in recognized scientific journals.

Structures created: Wildlife building at Pond Inlet will be used to house these instruments. Temporary sample lines will be installed at the Wildlife building. No other structures will be built for the instruments.

Local resources and accommodations: local motel will be used for our stay while installing equipment and for calibration trips. A local contractor will also be hired for filter changes and to keep an eye on equipment once a week.

Location of project: Wildlife building is in the residential area.

Location of project to sensitive areas: No

History of site: This is a new site built by Wildlife Research.