EESA09H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Arctic Haze, Lipophilicity, Chlordane
29 Jan 2015
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Document Summary
Sinks are likely the arctic ocean and surrounding water. Consist of: sulfate levels 10 to 20 times larger, which is greater than normal (vanadium detected, mixed with uncombusted carbon -> form aerosol = blocks light and appear grayish or brownish bc of coal burning. 90% sulfate, remainder is soot (carbon), dust trace metals (vanadium, manganese) indicate source of pollutant: trace constituents such as metals and persistent organic pollutants (pops) can adhere to the aerosols and pool in the arctic. G. shaw suggested long range transport was the likely mechanism for the appearance of pollutants in the arctic. Global circulation carry in pollutant from industrialized part of the world. Why do they pool in the arctic: stable atmosphere; temp. inversion = little precip. (no washout, circumpolar circulation. Major source is eurasia -> coal burning plants located further n. Impacts: reduce visibility, esp. in spring, contamination of snow, ice and arctic waters, bioaccumulation of pollutants.
