Strengthening cooperation on air pollution research in Svalbard

Air pollution research combines knowledge and methods intrinsic to atmospheric physics and chemistry. There are some examples of cooperation within the air pollution studies related to investigation of events of long-range transport of pollution to Svalbard [1]. In contrast, there are no joint projects to study local air pollution problems in Svalbard despite the local sources which influence significantly the monitoring of background pollutant levels [2]. Hence, observations of local air pollution supplemented with extensive meteorological measurements may help to determine local factors of influence on the monitoring of background air composition. Furthermore, results of such study may be used to define the temporal and spatial extent of local impacts and model the environmental fate of pollutants. Primary objective of this project is to improve the cooperation on air pollution research in Svalbard. Secondary objectives: 1) to perform a pilot study in the field of air pollution research in Longyearbyen; 2) to use data and expertise from three research settlements: Barentsburg, Ny-Ålesund and Longyearbyen to prepare a joint publication on the effect of local sources of emissions on the background concentration of air pollutants in Svalbard; 3) to organise a workshop where experience gained during the pilot study is evaluated and future plans on air pollution research in Svalbard are discussed; 4) to assess the possibility of creation of air pollution and meteorology work group in the scope of Ny-Ålesund Atmosphere flagship.