155:
345:'s climate is very dry, seeing very little annual precipitation. (It is, in fact, considered a desert.) What rain does fall generally comes in the form of mist or drizzle during the four months, June to September. Heavy snowfalls are typically confined to the period from September through November, but can occur again after polar sunrise. Fog is common due to proximity to the ocean, particularly in the summer and fall. When temperatures drop below freezing in September and October, the damp air also causes accumulations of hoar frost.
441:
43:
378:
162:
335:
27:
401:, Norway with participation from scientists of seven different countries. Following this conference, the Arctic Air-Sampling Network (AASN) was created to share data between scientific organizations in each member nation. To fulfill Canadian obligations to this program, the Canadian Arctic Aerosol Sampling Network (CAASN) was created, eventually consisting of three stations:
361:
the station's diesel generators. (The presence of such exhaust makes accurate readings of background atmospheric pollutants impossible during these time periods, since the exhaust signature has a time-varying component that is influenced both by source conditions and by turbulence. Thus it cannot be corrected for simply by subtracting it from the instrument readings.)
186:
360:
Prevailing winds at the observatory are from the southwest, which usually bring clear skies and warmer temperatures. North winds off the ocean are typically accompanied by fog and sudden drops in temperature. However, north winds are also unwelcome at the observatory, since they bring exhaust from
523:
during March–June each year, it was not discovered until 1995 that atmospheric mercury behaved in a nearly identical manner. (The first continuous monitoring instruments for atmospheric mercury were installed at the observatory that year.) Until that time, it was generally agreed that elemental
368:
has set up for the season. Three out of five days have wind speeds below 2 m/s (6.6 ft/s) at this time of year. (However, when windy conditions arise in the winter, they tend to be extreme. Storms can last for days at a time.) These conditions continue through polar sunrise, but reverse
527:
In the springtime, elemental mercury undergoes photochemically initiated oxidation reactions and converts to a more reactive and less stable form of mercury in the atmosphere. This was a means by which mercury could be removed from the atmosphere and deposit to the ground that was not previously
412:
The gradually increasing amount of experimental research being done in Alert made the construction of a permanent observatory a viable option. In 1985, the
Canadian Baseline Program was founded, and on August 29 the following year the Alert Background Air Pollution Monitoring Network (BAPMoN)
409:(November 1979), and Alert (July 1980). In 1984, the program was condensed and refocused. The sampling programs in Igloolik and Mould Bay were discontinued, and the program in Alert became part of the core mandate of the newly reformed Canadian Arctic Aerosol Chemistry Program (CAACP).
348:
Conditions in Alert are cold, with only two months of the year seeing average temperatures above the freezing point. Like most places in the Arctic, snow is possible in any month of the year. However, Alert is not as cold as other locations further south, such as
431:
Following the death of Dr. Neil
Trivett in 2002 (an Environment Canada researcher who was largely responsible for the construction of the observatory), it was officially renamed in July 2006 as the Dr. Neil Trivett Global Atmosphere Watch Observatory.
483:
The observatory also supports experimental testing of new monitoring equipment, and short-term, intensive research programs, e.g., NETCARE (Network on
Climate and Aerosols: Addressing Key Uncertainties in Remote Canadian Environments).
314:. The dark season is responsible for much of the unique atmospheric chemistry that occurs during polar sunrise. The lack of sunlight to act as a catalyst causes a buildup of pollution from industrial areas down south, and the
528:
known. These events were later termed atmospheric mercury depletion events (AMDEs), and the underlying chemistry that connects them with the simultaneous ozone depletions has been and continues to be thoroughly researched.
390:. The weather station frequently provided support for scientific research in Alert, including the collection of weekly flask samples for the measurement of carbon dioxide, the first of which was taken on July 8, 1975.
283:
approximately 40 km (25 mi) to the west. The landscape immediately surrounding the observatory is undulating, marked by cliffs and crevasses and a number of small rivers which can become impassable during
381:
Official opening of the BAPMoN Observatory, August 29, 1986. Assistant Deputy
Minister Howard Ferguson, left, stands at the entrance to the observatory with the Project Commander from 1 CEU, Winnipeg and Dr. Neil
154:
189:
82:
291:
To the south, the
Winchester Hills are the dominant visible feature. A number of small freshwater lakes provide CFS Alert (and by extension, the observatory) with drinking water.
259:
in
Australia, which, due to their locations far from industrial activity, provide the international scientific community with a baseline record of atmospheric chemistry.
1240:
488:
428:
In 1992, the original observatory building was expanded to roughly three times its size, including the addition of a 10 m (33 ft) tall walk-up tower.
1235:
448:
In addition to the ongoing flask sample programs, the observatory maintains a core group of continuous measurement programs which include monitoring of
1245:
1230:
537:
850:; Burgess, Margo M.; Riseborough, Dan; Mark Nixon, F. (January 2005). "Recent trends from Canadian permafrost thermal monitoring network sites".
386:
The establishment of the Joint Arctic
Weather Station (JAWS) on April 9, 1950 marked the beginning of continuous meteorological measurements in
735:
Barrie, L.A.; Hoff, R.M.; Daggupaty, S.M. (January 1981). "The influence of mid-latitudinal pollution sources on haze in the
Canadian arctic".
524:
mercury persisted in the atmosphere for 6–12 months, which allowed it to reach remote locations such as the Arctic, far from emission sources.
217:
53:
247:(GAW) program to study the long-term effects of pollution on the atmospheric environment. Among these 31 stations, Alert is one of three
520:
496:
1220:
357:
has as a moderating effect. It is more accurate to characterize conditions in Alert as consistently cold, rather than extremely cold.
414:
240:
487:
Much of the research and data collection at the observatory is collaborative, including long-standing partnerships with, e.g.,
141:
937:
885:
1225:
477:
75:
674:
1048:"Canadian Network of Northern Research Operators » » Alert – Atmospheric Radionuclides Monitoring Station"
279:. The region is characterized by recent glacial activity, with still extant glaciers visible among the peaks of the
666:
504:
984:
422:
244:
824:
819:
239:
The observatory is the northernmost of 31 global stations in an international network coordinated by the
492:
402:
1047:
608:
1176:
1129:
1086:
744:
709:
770:
1073:
Barrie, L. A.; Bottenheim, J. W.; Schnell, R. C.; Crutzen, P. J.; Rasmussen, R. A. (14 July 1988).
280:
213:
583:
1145:
1102:
867:
1075:"Ozone destruction and photochemical reactions at polar sunrise in the lower Arctic atmosphere"
453:
1194:
1184:
1137:
1094:
859:
752:
717:
646:
557:
465:
229:
847:
440:
350:
1165:"A synthesis of atmospheric mercury depletion event chemistry in the atmosphere and snow"
1180:
1133:
1120:
Schroeder, W. H.; et al. (23 July 1998). "Arctic springtime depletion of mercury".
1090:
1021:
748:
713:
584:"Environment and Climate Change Canada - Climate Change - Greenhouse Gases and Aerosols"
377:
457:
387:
342:
248:
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63:
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871:
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42:
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dramatically with the onset of spring weather, which brings high, gusting winds.
394:
323:
307:
303:
299:
272:
364:
Weather conditions are typically calm through the dark winter months, once the
334:
267:
The observatory is located on a plateau about 6 km (3.7 mi) south of
26:
955:
473:
233:
97:
84:
1189:
1164:
700:
Rahn, Kenneth A. (January 1981). "The Arctic air-sampling network in 1980".
268:
256:
252:
161:
322:. During sunrise, this pollution is responsible for a phenomenon known as
198:
185:
1199:
406:
338:
Windrose produced with data from the observatory's anemometers, 1987-2015
651:
634:
609:"Environment and Climate Change Canada - Climate Change - Alert Nunavut"
449:
417:'s BAPMoN program was merged with the Global Ozone Observing System (GO
285:
225:
67:
678:
1098:
519:
While it had been known since 1988 that ground level ozone underwent
469:
319:
1074:
863:
298:
from the beginning of April to early
September, and the sun remains
1141:
911:
500:
461:
439:
376:
333:
963:
1002:
318:
amplifies this effect by containing pollution within the high
310:
will occur. The intermediate periods are marked by a slight
1022:"Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Record from Alert, NWT, Canada"
232:, about 800 km (500 mi) south of the geographic
220:
located about 6 km (3.7 mi) south south-west of
294:
Due to its high latitude, the observatory experiences
956:"ESRL/GMD Aerosols Group - Alert Station Information"
480:(POPs), and ground level meteorological conditions.
393:
Increasing interest in studies of phenomena such as
210:
Dr. Neil
Trivett Global Atmosphere Watch Observatory
168:
Dr. Neil Trivett Global Atmosphere Watch Observatory
20:
Dr. Neil Trivett Global Atmosphere Watch Observatory
771:"Canadian Arctic Aerosol Chemistry Program (CAACP)"
136:
121:
113:
74:
59:
49:
36:
464:(both ground level and stratospheric), broadband
413:Observatory was officially opened. In 1989, the
275:, 15 km (9.3 mi) from the mouth of the
142:www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change.html
1020:Steele, L.P.; Krummel, P.B.; Langenfelds, R.L.
489:National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
271:, which is itself located on the shore of the
40:NOAA arctic atmospheric observatory at Alert
8:
635:"The Establishment of Alert, N.W.T., Canada"
19:
302:from mid-October to late February and both
1163:Steffen, A.; et al. (12 March 2008).
41:
25:
18:
1198:
1188:
650:
564:. World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
251:"intercomparison supersites", along with
667:"World Data Centre for Greenhouse Gases"
773:. Environment and Climate Change Canada
549:
538:List of research stations in the Arctic
1241:Government buildings completed in 1986
671:World Data Centre for Greenhouse Gases
218:Environment and Climate Change Canada
54:Environment and Climate Change Canada
7:
852:Permafrost and Periglacial Processes
633:Johnson, J. Peter Jr. (March 1990).
1236:Buildings and structures in Nunavut
892:. World Meteorological Organization
799:. World Meteorological Organization
497:Scripps Institution of Oceanography
269:Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert
14:
1169:Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
890:GAWSIS Station Information System
241:World Meteorological Organization
1246:Meteorological Service of Canada
1231:Meteorological data and networks
184:
160:
153:
397:led to a conference in 1977 in
444:The observatory in August 2003
228:, on the north-eastern tip of
1:
820:"Scientist honoured for work"
478:persistent organic pollutants
216:baseline station operated by
818:Whitnell, Tim (2006-08-20).
757:10.1016/0004-6981(81)90347-4
722:10.1016/0004-6981(81)90340-1
31:The observatory in June 2016
985:"Institut für Umweltphysik"
675:Japan Meteorological Agency
353:, because proximity to the
1262:
1221:Geophysical observatories
989:www.iup.uni-heidelberg.de
521:periodic rapid depletions
436:Measurements and research
195:
182:
148:
125:August 29, 1986
24:
793:"Background and History"
505:Natural Resources Canada
190:Related media on Commons
117:185 m (607 ft)
1190:10.5194/acp-8-1445-2008
828:. Metroland Media Group
737:Atmospheric Environment
702:Atmospheric Environment
423:Global Atmosphere Watch
245:Global Atmosphere Watch
916:www.netcare-project.ca
825:The Hamilton Spectator
445:
383:
339:
37:Alternative names
1003:"Scripps CO2 Program"
558:"GAW Global Stations"
493:Heidelberg University
443:
380:
337:
98:82.45083°N 62.50722°W
308:nautical polar night
1226:Atmosphere of Earth
1181:2008ACP.....8.1445S
1134:1998Natur.394..331S
1091:1988Natur.334..138B
1007:scrippsco2.ucsd.edu
749:1981AtmEn..15.1407B
714:1981AtmEn..15.1349R
652:10.14430/arctic1587
281:United States Range
174:Location in Nunavut
103:82.45083; -62.50722
94: /
21:
446:
384:
340:
1128:(6691): 331–332.
1085:(6178): 138–141.
912:"NETCARE Website"
304:civil polar night
300:below the horizon
206:
205:
1253:
1205:
1204:
1202:
1192:
1175:(6): 1445–1482.
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1099:10.1038/334138a0
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886:"Alert (Canada)"
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848:Smith, Sharon L.
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743:(8): 1407–1419.
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708:(8): 1349–1352.
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677:. Archived from
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515:Depletion events
466:solar irradiance
458:greenhouse gases
421:OS) to form the
296:24-hour daylight
243:(WMO) under its
230:Ellesmere Island
199:edit on Wikidata
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938:"BSRN Stations"
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681:on 6 April 2016
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476:temperatures,
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405:(April 1979),
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249:greenhouse gas
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1056:. Retrieved
1054:. 2015-03-26
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967:. Retrieved
959:
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920:. Retrieved
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894:. Retrieved
889:
880:
858:(1): 19–30.
855:
851:
842:
830:. Retrieved
823:
813:
801:. Retrieved
797:WMO Extranet
796:
787:
775:. Retrieved
765:
740:
736:
730:
705:
701:
695:
683:. Retrieved
679:the original
670:
661:
645:(1): 21–34.
642:
638:
628:
616:. Retrieved
613:www.ec.gc.ca
612:
603:
591:. Retrieved
588:www.ec.gc.ca
587:
578:
566:. Retrieved
562:WMO Extranet
561:
552:
526:
518:
486:
482:
447:
430:
427:
411:
392:
385:
366:polar vortex
363:
359:
355:Arctic Ocean
347:
341:
316:polar vortex
293:
290:
277:Nares Strait
266:
238:
209:
207:
50:Organization
395:Arctic haze
324:Arctic haze
273:Lincoln Sea
214:atmospheric
122:Established
101: /
76:Coordinates
16:Observatory
1215:Categories
1058:23 January
1032:23 January
969:23 January
922:23 January
896:22 January
832:22 January
803:22 January
777:22 January
685:22 January
618:23 January
593:23 January
568:22 January
544:References
474:permafrost
399:Lillestrøm
234:North Pole
129:1986-08-29
89:62°30′26″W
86:82°27′03″N
918:. NETCARE
872:129545892
425:Program.
403:Mould Bay
263:Geography
257:Cape Grim
253:Mauna Loa
1052:cnnro.ca
532:See also
491:(NOAA),
450:aerosols
407:Igloolik
382:Trivett.
114:Altitude
70:, Canada
60:Location
1177:Bibcode
1150:4357441
1130:Bibcode
1107:4241649
1087:Bibcode
1028:. CDIAC
745:Bibcode
710:Bibcode
454:mercury
373:History
330:Climate
286:freshet
226:Nunavut
137:Website
127: (
68:Nunavut
1148:
1122:Nature
1105:
1079:Nature
870:
639:Arctic
507:, and
495:, the
470:albedo
351:Eureka
320:Arctic
212:is an
183:
1146:S2CID
1103:S2CID
868:S2CID
501:CSIRO
462:ozone
388:Alert
343:Alert
222:Alert
197:[
64:Alert
1060:2017
1034:2017
971:2017
964:NOAA
924:2017
898:2017
834:2017
805:2017
779:2017
687:2017
620:2017
595:2017
570:2017
468:and
306:and
208:The
1195:hdl
1185:doi
1138:doi
1126:394
1095:doi
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860:doi
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