Snow and surface characteristics are monitored by CNR at the Climate Change Tower in Ny-Alesund.

RIS: 11079 ARctic DISsolved CO2 (AR-DIS-CO2) Project start: 2018-08-16 end: 2023-08-16 The project tackles the dynamics of dissolved gases in the ocean water of the Kongsfjorden (Svalbard islands, W archipelago). The main goals are: the characterization and monitoring of Kongfjorden’s waters in terms of dissolved gases species and ii) the identification and understanding of the relationships between dissolved gases time-variations and glaciers melting dynamics. Focus of the research activities is to monitor and comprehend the processes involving major dissolved gas species, trying to identify and understand how drainage melt glaciers influence the TDIC and gas contents of the fjord. The project is also aimed to develop a portable instrument for on-site measurements of TDIC and dissolved gases (in particular CO2, but also O2, N2, Ar, CH4, H2). Vertical profiles of temperature, pH, salinity along selected site in the Kongsfjorden. The selection of measurement sites was addressed to obtain data at least from one of the most deep vertical profile and also from profiles close to main glaciers drainages (Bayelva basin and Kronebreen-Kongsvegen glaciers). TDIC measurements is performed in water samples. water samples in glass bottles pre-evacuated are collected for gases determination.

The column water vapor or Precipitable Water Vapor (PWV) is measured at Thule Air Base (76.5°N, 68.8°W), Greenland, by means of a ground-based millimeter-wave spectrometer (GBMS) installed at 220 m a.s.l. The GBMS observes rotational lines of atmospheric molecules emitting between 230 and 280 GHz, with a spectral pass band of 600 MHz. The PWV is calculated from direct measurements of atmospheric opacity (tau) at the indicated frequencies by using the linear relation PWV = a+tau*b, where a and b depend only on frequency. Measurements have a temporal resolution of 15 minutes and are carried out continuously when the GBMS is operated.

Homogenized Tethered Balloon record at station Ny-Ålesund, Spitsbergen in 2018 The scientific goals of BC-3D are to evaluate the distribution of Black Carbon and Mineral Dust in the first layers of atmosphere and surface snow over targeted Svalbard glaciers in order to identify the mechanisms of the air/snow exchanges also assisted by model predictions to provide the full 3D picture. Aerosol vertical profiles by tethered balloon: Aerosol vertical profiles gridded at a 50 m spatial resolution: R, T, P, RH, Aerosol size distribution, BC concentration. Maximum altitudes 1500 m.

Measurements are obtained using a Pyrgeometer Kipp&Zonen, model CGR4, installed at Thule Air Base (220 m a.s.l.) in May 2013. The instrument sensitivity was determined during factory calibration for temperatures down to -40 °C, thus specifically suited for the polar environment. Data are acquired by a datalogger at 30 s time intervals and then transferred to a PC. The CGR4 and its dedicated PC are maintained by Daniela Meloni at ENEA.

Terrestrial Photography ApplicationS on Snow covEr in Svalbard (PASSES) Evolution of the fractional snow cover in the Broggerdalen area using ground-based cameras located at the Climate Change Tower. Development of a new snow product focused on the estimation of the fraction of snow cover in selected sites at different spatial resolutions. All the available data obtained from public repositories such as the digital elevation model of Svalbard, the webcam imageries in Svalbard and satellite products from Landsat, Sentinel and MODIS missions, will be integrated in order to estimate the fraction of snow cover, at different spatial resolutions, for each satellite mission, computed at different sites in Svalbard islands.

This proposal will focus, by means of a multidisciplinary and well-balanced consortium on eutrophication, contaminants, marine litter and underwater noise descriptors of the MSFD. vertical acquisition in 18 CTD station in Kongsfjorden with water sampling at 2-3 depths (surface, intermediate, bottom)for nutrient and pH analyses of sampled water in the lab. parameters: Pressure, Strain Gauge [db]rnTemperature [IPTS-68, deg C]rnConductivity [mS/cm]rnpHrnOxygen, SBE 43 [ml/l]rnTurbidity, Turner Cyclops [NTU] Pressure, Strain Gauge [db]rnTemperature [IPTS-68, deg C]rnConductivity [mS/cm]rnpHrnOxygen, SBE 43 [ml/l]rnTurbidity, Turner Cyclops [NTU]

ISotopic and physical-chemical MOnitoring of GLACial drainages and sea water in the Ny-Ålesund area (Svalbard) The project concerns an isotopic and physical-chemical monitoring of inland glacial drainages and ocean water into Kongsfjorden. It is aimed at defining the dynamic processes of the glacial melting and evaluating the consequent transfers of fresh water towards the Arctic Ocean. The dataset includes the continuous measurements (1 data/15 min) performed during summer season by a CTD diver. Parameter: Temperature, electical conductivity, water level.

DOC fractionation: dynamic of POPs and trace metals Arctic DOC (ArcticDOC) The sampling design is projected to cover almost five sampling points in the Kongsfjorden. The sampling of surface water (approximately 100 liters for each sampling point) and sediment are aimed at the determination of persistent and emerging contaminants: POPs PFAS, CUPs, PPCPs, endocrine disruptors such as nonylphenols and bisphenol A. At the same time, with tangential-flow ultrafiltration, dissolved organic matter (DOM) will be characterized according to size fractions (colloidal and truly dissolved) and the distribution of contaminants associated to these fractions will be evaluated.

Arctic Present Climate Change and Past Extreme Events (ARCA) Analysis of RES datasets available. Production of thematic maps of representative ice-calving effect in some Greenland outlet glaciers. Development and upgrade of INGV RES system.