Ten NETCARE scientists were on board the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Amundsen, a research icebreaker, studying atmospheric and oceanic composition throughout the central Arctic in 2014. The cruise departed from Quebec City on July 8, entered Lancaster Sound on July 17, underwent a partial exchange of scientists at Resolute Bay, Nunavut on July 24, and then headed west through the Northwest Passage. All NETCARE scientists left the ship on August 14 in Kugluktuk, Northwest Territories.
The research goal was to assess the impact of the ocean in promoting the formation of atmospheric aerosols. In particular, as sea ice retreats in years to come, it is important to understand the role that oceans play in affecting Arctic climate. Measurements of biogeochemical parameters in the ocean were made in order to explore the production of molecules that are released from the ocean to the atmosphere. On the atmospheric side, measurements of the concentrations of these gases and their oxidation products were made, and studies of the nature of the ambient atmospheric aerosol particles, including their size, concentration, composition and cloud nucleating abilities were undertaken.
Institutions Involved
● University of Toronto
● University of British Columbia
● University of Calgary
● Environment and Climate Change Canada
● Laval University
● University of Quebec at Rimouski
● Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Data sets
● Atmospheric gas phase species
● Atmospheric aerosol particle size and number density
● Atmospheric aerosol particle composition
● Numbers of liquid water cloud forming particles
● Numbers of ice cloud forming particles
● Soluble gases and ions in particulate matter
● Ions in rain and fog
● Ship’s location information