The Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL) and the International Arctic Systems for Observing the Atmosphere (IASOA)

File Identifier: 11400_iso.xml

Metadata Language: eng; CAN

: utf8

Resource Type: Dataset

Responsible Party:

Individual Name: Polar Data Catalogue

Organisation Name: Canadian Cryospheric Information Network

Role: Point Of Contact

Contact Info:

Voice: (519) 888-4567 x32689

Street Address: 200 University Avenue West, University of Waterloo

City: Waterloo

Province/State: Ontario

Postal Code/ZIP: N2L 3G1

Country: Canada

E-Mail Address: pdc@uwaterloo.ca

Metadata Date: 2013-05-27

Metadata Standard Name: North American Profile of ISO 19115:2003

Metadata Standard Version: 2009-01-01

Abstract: Year-round (365/24) operation of the PEARL complex has been achieved with more than 25 operating instruments and associated data downloads and archiving. A particular strength of PEARL is the ability to collect data during the winter when there are few other measurements but the atmosphere undergoes important changes. This project encompassed eight sub-projects: Project 1: Validation of space-based cloud properties and precipitation characteristics. The measurements and studies at PEARL have enabled better understanding of current satellite measurements and provided input for designs of future instrumentation. Project 2: Radiation and energy budget closure at the surface. Analysis has yielded significant results on the high (temporal) frequency behaviour of aerosols in the Arctic atmosphere. Project 3: The Coordinated LIDAR measurements project. The first characterization of stratospheric aerosol layers in the high Arctic has been achieved. Project 4: Coordinated upper atmosphere measurements. Atmospheric tides, or oscillations of period mainly 12 and 24 hrs, are the 'canary' of the atmosphere, as their variable presence in the upper atmosphere depends upon their source (e.g. solar heating of ozone, condensation of water vapour, etc.) in the lower atmosphere, and also the chemical, thermal and dynamical state of the underlying atmosphere. Project 5: Coordinated and intensive stratospheric measurements. Intensive measurements of atmospheric composition in the high Arctic have been combined with data from other Arctic observatories, model simulations, satellite data, and dynamical analyses to characterize year-to-year changes in stratospheric ozone and other trace gases that control the ozone budget. Project 6: Outreach program to bring CANDAC scientists to northern Nunavut schools, to explain what we are doing in the Arctic and why it is important. These scientists also provide examples to the students of possible career options in the sciences. Project 7: Cooperative education program for northern college students. Training scientists for work in the Arctic is important, as is supplying Northern students with opportunities to gain experience in real-world situations. Project 8: The Northern Experience Program. Showing students what life is like in the High Arctic proved to be a powerful learning tool. Students' lives and perspectives were significantly changed by the experience.

Purpose: The climate of the Arctic is changing more rapidly than other parts of the globe and these changes are impacting temperate climates. Therefore, our understanding of the complex relationships between surface and atmospheric interactions and radiation, clouds and precipitation are important contributions not only to understanding Arctic changes, but changes in the weather and climate of all Canadians. Within the context of the International Polar Year (IPY), The Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL) plans to achieve three objectives: 1) to make an extensive and intensive set of measurements of the Arctic atmosphere to produce a unique data record of the atmosphere for the future and interpret those records in terms of current science needs, 2) to co-ordinate with other observatories under the umbrella of the International Arctic Systems for Observing the Atmosphere (IASOA) initiative to further IPY objectives, and 3) to connect to Northern and Southern communities for training, education and outreach. PEARL is a unique national and international resource. It is located on Ellesmere Island at Eureka, Nunavut (80N, 86W). Built in 1993 by Environment Canada and operated as the Arctic Stratospheric Ozone observatory until 2002, it was mothballed due to lack of funding. It was revitalized in its present form when a collaboration between university researchers and government departments, the Canadian Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Change (CANDAC), undertook its operation in 2005. PEARL is situated about 15km from the Eureka weather station and derives much of its support from that location. Access is by charter plane and by an annual sea-lift. PEARL is a 'whole atmosphere' laboratory containing instrumentation to study the atmosphere from the ground to about 100 km. Since the laboratory is at 600 m above sea level, an additional site 'the zero altitude PEARL auxiliary laboratory (ØPAL)' was established beside the Environment Canada weather station at approximately sea level. In addition, the Surface Atmospheric Flux and Irradiance Remote Extension (SAFIRE) site, located near the Eureka runway, is used for those experiments that need to be away from any outside interference. The PEARL/ØPAL/SAFIRE equipment roster includes LIDARs, radars, spectrometers, and optical instruments suitable for active and passive probing of the atmosphere, its physical and radiative states, and its composition.

Language: eng; CAN

Citation:

Contact Info:

Title: The Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL) and the International Arctic Systems for Observing the Atmosphere (IASOA)

Date:

Date: 2013-05-27

Date Type: Publication Date

Individual Name: James Drummond

Role: Principal Investigator

Individual Name: James Drummond

Role:

Individual Name: Alan Manson

Role:

Individual Name: Bruce McArthur

Role:

Individual Name: David Hudak

Role:

Individual Name: Gordon Shepherd

Role:

Individual Name: Marianna Shepherd

Role:

Individual Name: Norman O'Neill

Role:

Individual Name: Thomas Duck

Role:

Individual Name: Thomas McElroy

Role:

Point Of Contact:

Individual Name: Polar Data Catalogue

Organisation Name: Canadian Cryospheric Information Network

Role: Point Of Contact

Contact Info:

Voice: (519) 888-4567 x32689

Street Address: 200 University Avenue West, University of Waterloo

City: Waterloo

Province/State: Ontario

Postal Code/ZIP: N2L 3G1

Country: Canada

E-Mail Address: pdc@uwaterloo.ca

Online Resource: polardata.ca

Topic Category: Environment and Conservation

Keyword Collection:

Keyword: Arctic

Keyword: Atmosphere

Keyword: Climatology

Keyword: Clouds

Keyword: Ellesmere Island

Keyword: Eureka

Keyword: Ozone

Keyword: Remote sensing data

Keyword: Weather

Associated Thesaurus: Polar Data Catalogue Thesaurus (Canada)

Keyword: Eureka (Nunavut, Canada)

Spatial Extent:

West Bounding Longitude: -86

East Bounding Longitude: -86

North Bounding Latitude: 80

South Bounding Latitude: 80

Legal Constraints:

Access Constraints: Other Restrictions

Use Constraints: Other Restrictions

Other Constraints: Terms of Use of the Polar Data Catalogue: https://www.polardata.ca/pdcinput/public/termsofuse

Distribution Format:

Format Name: Digital file

Format Version: 1.0

Distributor:

Distributor Contact:

Individual Name: Polar Data Catalogue

Organisation Name: Canadian Cryospheric Information Network

Role: Distributor

Contact Info:

Voice: (519) 888-4567 x32689

Street Address: 200 University Avenue West, University of Waterloo

City: Waterloo

Province/State: Ontario

Postal Code/ZIP: N2L 3G1

Country: Canada

E-Mail Address: pdc@uwaterloo.ca