Atmospheric Environment and Climate Forcings in the Arctic
Principal Investigator：Makoto Koike (The University of Tokyo)
Overview
Atmospheric species such as greenhouse gases (GHG) and aerosols in the Arctic atmosphere as well as clouds are considered to have a major influence on Arctic climate due to their impact on radiation balance. Our research aims to elucidate behaviors of these atmospheric species and clouds and the causes of their variations by utilizing advanced measurement technologies and numeric modelling.
In our study of GHGs, we will use land-based stations, aircraft, and Research Vessel Mirai to conduct accurate measurements of GHG concentrations and their isotope ratios in the Arctic atmosphere, and use atmospheric transport modeling and land ecosystem modeling to estimate the GHG emission/absorption fluxes.
In our study of aerosols, we will conduct network observation of Arctic black carbon (BC) aerosol, which strongly absorbs solar radiation.
We will also measure various anthropogenic and natural aerosols in the Ny-Ålesund Observatory to study their behaviors and impacts on radiation. We also aim to characterize cloud microphysical properties in the Arctic and study aerosol impacts on clouds by making continuous observations. Furthermore, we will work to quantify the transportation process and impact of aerosols originating from anthropogenic sources and forest fi res in Asia and Siberia that are transported to the Arctic, using our observation network and advanced modelling that enables tracking of individual particles.
Change in atmospheric CO2 concentrations measured at Ny-Ålesund (Svalbard) and Syowa Station (Antarctica)
We will conduct these researches as international joint research, including observation projects such as Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate expedition (MOSAiC) and model intercomparison projects such as Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). Through these scientific activities, we would like to contribute to various international research frameworks, such as Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) of Arctic Council and ultimately serve to the social benefit.
Vertical column amounts of BC on September 29, 2016 estimated using numeric modelling (red: anthropogenic sources, blue: forest fi res).
Light blue and blue dots represent the locations of Research Vessel Mirai and ground observation stations (Poker Flat and Yakutsk), respectively.
