Science
The Arctic is swarming with a wide range of scientists, from sea ice physicists, to meteorologists and climatologists, marine biologists, Arctic tundra ecologists, ornithologists, and archaeologists, to name a few. The formal partnership between Paul Shepson and Peter Lourie began with Peter’s work interviewing scientists involved with a project called “OASIS” (Ocean-Atmosphere-Sea Ice-Snowpack). Here, these and other scientists try their hand at explaining what they do and the passion behind why they do it.
Featured Characters
Alexandra "Sandy" Steffen
Physical scientist working for Environment Canada’s Air Quality Research Division
The Difficulties of Conducting Experiments Out on the Arctic ice
The importance of relating Arctic science to people around the world
After Sandy and colleague Ralf Staebler work on their own experiments, they climb a pressure ridge to conduct a teleconference call to students in Paris, relating their work during the International Polar Year.
Dr. Amanda Grannas
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Villanova University, Villanova, PA
Dr. Amanda Grannas is currently Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Villanova University, Villanova, PA. She was in Barrow in 2008 and 2009 (along with several students) studying the cycling of persistent organic pollutants in air, snow and ice, as well as their potential photochemical breakdown in this region. Her research group is interested in a number of environmentally-relevant topics including cycling of pollutants in the environment, pollutant photochemistry and remediation techniques. She is also involved in a number of education activities including development of environmental chemistry curriculum for K-12 and inclusion of high school students in research activities.
Experimenting in the Snow
Dr. Grannas shows how she conducts experiments in the snow.
How to Process Experiments in the Lab
Dr. Grannas brings us into her lab.
Why study pollutants in Arctic snow
On the importance of knowing what’s in the snow.
Working in Barrow, Alaska, where Inupiaq whalers still practice their ancient traditions.
Dr. Bill Simpson
Dr. Bill Simpson at the Univesity of Alaska at Fairbanks studies atmospheric chemistry in the Arctic
Dr. Bill Simpson is an environmental chemist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he works as a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and performs research with the Geophysical Institute. He currently is the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department Chair, where he helps teach students about Environmental, Physical, and General Chemistry. His research focuses on how the Arctic processes pollutants differently from other parts of the Earth. A major focus of the work is how snow and ice and chemicals on their surfaces speed chemical processing. Changing Arctic sea ice conditions are altering these snow and ice surfaces, and he hopes to understand how those climatic change may affect atmospheric chemical processing.
Bill Simpson’s website at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks
Jan was the lead scientist for several large field studies in recent years such as the OASIS-CANADA, Polar Sunrise Experiment 1992, PACIFIC93, ATLANTIC96 and ALERT2000, and the results of these studies have been published in special issues of key scientific journals such as the Journal of Geophysical Research and Atmospheric Environment.
Born in the Netherlands, Jan received his education from the University of Amsterdam, and after post doctoral work in Japan and the US came to Canada in 1975. After a stint in Alberta he came to Toronto in 1980 where he has been employed by Environment Canada since that time.
Meet Bill Simpson
Bill talks about how he and other atmospheric chemists take measurements in the Arctic
Traveling the Arctic Winter
Bill loves the winter in the Arctic; the way one can really travel big distances and the beauty of winter formation
Big Changes in multi-year ice
Bill Simpson talks about Change in Multi-Year Ice in the Arctic
Working with seals and polar bears
Bill talks about working in a world of seals and polar bears
Chemistry of the Arctic Atmosphere
Bill studies the processes and impacts of changes in Arctic atmosphere chemistry on the planet. Here he talks about the O’Buoy Project.
Living In Fairbanks
What it’s like to live and work in Fairbanks, Alaska. Raising a family, enjoying the outdoors and the winters
Love of the Arctic People
Bill’s work in Barrow, Alaska, brings him close to the Inupiaq people who help him with his own science
Dr. Florent Domine
Atmospheric Chemistry Division National Center for Atmospheric Research, NCAR, Boulder, Colorado
In these two videos, Dr. Frank Flocke describes some of the key atmospheric measurements conducted during the BARROW2009 experiment as part of the OASIS (Ocean-Atmosphere-Sea Ice-Snowpack) program. Frank is a “Scientist III” at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado. He obtained his Ph.D. in atmospheric chemistry at Forschungszentrum (KFA) Julich, Germany and the University of Wuppertal, in Germany. He is an expert on nitrogen species, and ozone, in the atmosphere. Here Frank describes the OASIS “modules,” which are small research buildings built specifically for the OASIS campaign in Barrow, 2009. From these buildings, a wide array of measurements are made, of organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, small molecules containing chlorine and bromine, an array of highly reactive small molecules called “free radicals”, and ozone. The objective of OASIS is to understand chemical processes initiated by the action of sunlight and other constituents of the atmosphere on sea-salt, the subsequent release of reactive halogen species from the sea salt, followed by a complex array of “free radical” reactions that destroy ozone and convert mercury into products that deposit to the surface. A particular interest of the OASIS team is how all this chemistry will change with climate change, and associated loss of sea ice, and what impact that will have on the composition of the atmosphere. Here Frank describes the set-up of the modules and what goes on inside!
Diamond Dust
Florent Domine talks briefly about clear-sky precipitation, known as Diamond Dust
Measuring the Heat Conductivity of Snow
Measuring the Heat Conductivity of Snow, and studying the complex effects of snow, just how good an insulator snow is
Meet Florent Domine, Snow Researcher
Florent studies snow physics and snow chemistry, as related to climate change and polar atmospheric chemistry
Relating Snow Thermal Properties to Climate Change Models
Snow Crystal Photography: Taking Pictures at 20 below
Why the Arctic Is Important
Florent Domine talks passionately about why the Arctic is so important as a part of the planet and as a place for further study
Working in Arctic: Svarlsbard, Norway, and the Polar Bears
Florent tells some rather incredible tales of how to determine if a polar bear in Norway’s Arctic regions will be dangerous or not.
Dr. Frank Flocke
Atmospheric Chemistry Division, National Center for Atmospheric Research, NCAR Boulder, Colorado
In these two videos, Dr. Frank Flocke describes some of the key atmospheric measurements conducted during the BARROW2009 experiment as part of the OASIS (Ocean-Atmosphere-Sea Ice-Snowpack) program. Frank is a “Scientist III” at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado. He obtained his Ph.D. in atmospheric chemistry at Forschungszentrum (KFA) Julich, Germany and the University of Wuppertal, in Germany. He is an expert on nitrogen species, and ozone, in the atmosphere. Here Frank describes the OASIS “modules,” which are small research buildings built specifically for the OASIS campaign in Barrow, 2009. From these buildings, a wide array of measurements are made, of organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, small molecules containing chlorine and bromine, an array of highly reactive small molecules called “free radicals”, and ozone. The objective of OASIS is to understand chemical processes initiated by the action of sunlight and other constituents of the atmosphere on sea-salt, the subsequent release of reactive halogen species from the sea salt, followed by a complex array of “free radical” reactions that destroy ozone and convert mercury into products that deposit to the surface. A particular interest of the OASIS team is how all this chemistry will change with climate change, and associated loss of sea ice, and what impact that will have on the composition of the atmosphere. Here Frank describes the set-up of the modules and what goes on inside!
Frank Flocke Inside the Modules with the Instruments
Frank Flocke of NCAR talks about the instrument modules collecting the purest Arctic air they can collect for chemical and physical analysis
The dynamic beaufy of the Arctic from a helicopter pilot's perspective
Frank Flocke of NCAR talks about the instrument modules collecting the purest Arctic air atmospheric scientists can collect for chemical and physical analysis
Dr. Hajo Eicken
Glaciologist, Professor at the Geophysical Institute and the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks
Dr. Hajo Eicken is Professor at the Geophysical Institute and the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Before joining the University of Alaska, Dr. Eicken was a senior scientist at the Alfred Wegener Institute where he was the head of a research group for sea ice physics and remote sensing. Dr. Eicken’s research interests include studies of the growth, evolution, and properties of sea ice in the Arctic and Antarctic. He is particularly interested in determining how microscopic and macroscopic properties affect larger-scale sea-ice processes and its role in the climate system. In Alaska, Dr. Eicken has spent time on the ice to learn more about the different uses of the sea ice environment and its role in polar ecosystems. Dr. Eicken has participated in several icebreaker expeditions in both hemispheres.
Meet Dr. Hajo Eicken
Scientists study Sea Ice in various ways, which includes learning from local Natives who use the ice and know it differently than scientists
How is the Ice Cover Changing?
Hajo Eicken studies ice changes in different parts of the Arctic over decades. He studies how expansive ice is, how thick it is and how good it is at reflecting light (its albedo). He also relates his studies to how Native people are using the ice.
Stories About Sea Ice and Polar Bears
Hajo Eicken explains what’s so fascinating about sea ice. He also talks about the wonderful collaboration of scientists in the study of sea ice. One great story here on his experience with polar bears feeding on beluga
Barrow Webcam Sea Ice Animation
Dr. Jan Willem Bottenheim
Atmospheric Chemistry, Environment Canada
Dr. Bottenheim’s research interests are in the area of atmospheric gas phase chemistry. One area of particular interest to Jan is the chemistry of the Arctic boundary layer air. Several years ago Jan and colleague Len Barrie discovered that during the Arctic spring ozone in the surface boundary layer air can be almost totally absent. This lower tropospheric ozone hole has been one of the topics Jan has studied in detail in collaboration with several colleagues from all over the world; lately this has led to the discovery of surprisingly active photochemistry of the snow pack.
Jan was the lead scientist for several large field studies in recent years such as the OASIS-CANADA, Polar Sunrise Experiment 1992, PACIFIC93, ATLANTIC96 and ALERT2000, and the results of these studies have been published in special issues of key scientific journals such as the Journal of Geophysical Research and Atmospheric Environment.
Born in the Netherlands, Jan received his education from the University of Amsterdam, and after post doctoral work in Japan and the US came to Canada in 1975. After a stint in Alberta he came to Toronto in 1980 where he has been employed by Environment Canada since that time.
Chemistry in the Arctic, Arctic Haze, Ozone, and More
Jan discusses his work in understandng the chemistry of the Arctic, the phenomenom of Arctic haze, and the depletion of surface Ozone, among other phenomena
Jan talks about snow chemistry:
POPs–Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Arctic
The "Music" of the Arctic
Jan, who has worked in the Arctic for decades, talks about the beautiful music of the Arctic, the miraculous sounds of walking on snow, and the sounds of wolves singing to each other
Fixing" climate change with technology
Dr. Paul Shepson and Dr. Jan Bottenheim talk about the problems of simply using technology as an easy “fix” for climate change
Dr. Mattew Sturm
Research Physical Scientist conducing wide-ranging geophysical studies on snow in high latittudes, Fairbanks, AK
Dr. Sturm is responsible for conducting wide-ranging geophysical studies on snow in high latitudes. His work has taken him from the Antarctic to the Arctic, and he has been the leader of more than 30 expeditions in winter in pursuit of his science. He is based at the Alaska Office in Fairbanks, but collaborates with a wide range of scientists both at CRREL and elsewhere. His most recent work focuses on the role of snow cover on climate, with particular attention to snow ecology, and climate change resulting from snow-vegetation interactions.
Why Study the Arctic
Matthew Sturm talks about the importance of studying the Arctic and how it is connected to the rest of the world
Love of the Arctic
Matthew Sturm, ice and snow expert from Fairbanks, Alaska, talks about his love of the Arctic
Long Traverses in the Arctic for Science
Matthew Sturm, ice and snow expert from Fairbanks, Alaska, talks about his long scientific trips across the Arctic on snowmachines.
The Real Arctic
Matthew Sturm talks about the contradictions, the complexities of the Arctic
Dr. Paty Matrai
Biological Oceanographer Paty Matrai from Bigelow Lab, Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Dr. Paty Matrai is a Senior Research Scientist at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in beautiful mid-coast Maine. Trained as a biological oceanographer, she became interested in biological-chemical interactions at the air-sea interface and, in polar regions, at the seawater-ice-snow-air interface. Her group focuses on biological production of gases and aerosols that are exchanged with the overlying atmosphere, both in the lab and in the field. The hardship of frequent sampling in and over the Arctic Ocean has led to build and/or deploy automated and autonomous systems that can sample the atmosphere and the ocean for chemical and/or biological processes; this is essential in a changing Arctic.
Meet Paty Matrai
Meet Paty Matrai a biological oceanographer from Bigelow Lab, Boothbay Harbor, Maine, who works in the Arctic
Biology is Changing in the Arctic
Climate Change & the Biology of the Arctic
Paty Matrai discusses how climate change is affecting biology in the Arctic
Collaboration in Arctic Science
Scientists from all disciplines are collaborating in the study of the Arctic
More on Biology & Climate Change
How climate change might affect biological changes in the Arctic
The Atmosphere & Biology in theArctic
Paty talks about the essential role of the atmosphere on Arctic biology
The Life of Arctic Oceanography--How it Affects Family
What it’s like to be an Arctic oceanographer and raise a family at the same time
The Magic of Light & Ice
It’s the Light in the Arctic, even more than the Polar Bears. The light and the ice together
The Planet & The Arctic
Paty talks about the interconnectedness of the Arctic and biology of the planet
Dr. Ralf M. Staebler
Atmospheric Physics & Chemistry, researcher in Air Quality Research Branch of Environment Canada,
Dr. Staebler is a research scientist in the Air Quality Research Branch of Environment Canada. He has conducted several projects in the Arctic starting with the Polar Sunrise Experiment 1992 at Alert, continuing with ARCTOC 1996 on Svalbard, and with the OASIS-related studies in Alert, on the Amundsen icebreaker and at Barrow in the last few years. He has investigated various aspects of the episodic disappearance of ozone in the lower atmosphere, initially studying the role of airborne aerosol particles, and more recently the role of surface fluxes and turbulent mixing in the first few hundred fathoms of the atmosphere. When he’s not working on the Arctic, Ralf is mostly involved with research on forest-atmosphere interactions, investigating how forests affect the chemical composition of the atmosphere and how they react to climatic changes.
A Polar Bear Inspects Ralf's Insstruments
Ralf is studying the mechanisms of ozone and mercury depletion, how the ozone actually moves down to the surface where it reacts and gets destroyed, and how turbulence moves gases around the atmosphere when it’s this cold.
Experimenting on Disappearing Ozone
Ralf had various experiments going at the same time in Barrow during the OASIS project. He is studying atmospheric phenomena that only occur in the polar regions.
Sodar 101
The sodar measures the winds at high resolution all the way up to 800m above the surface, which gives us very detailed information on how gases (such as ozone) get moved around in the atmosphere.
Dr. Steve Amstrup
Polar Bear expert, Research Wildlife Biologist, US Geological Survey, Anchorage, AK
Dr. Steven C. Amstrup, Polar Bear Scientist, talks about the state of polar bear research and relates that to climate change and how polar nations are working together to share information. Dr. Amstrup is a Research Wildlife Biologist with the United States Geological Survey at the Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK. He led the international team of researchers which prepared 9 reports that became the basis for the recent decision, by the Secretary of Interior, to list polar bears as a threatened species.
Polar Bears & Climate Change
Alaska’s foremost polar bear expert talks about the effect of the retreating ice on bears
Polar Bears and the Future
Research Wildlife Biologist, Alaska Science Center, USGS, Anchorage, Alaska. Dr. Amstrup talks about Polar Bear science and managing bears as the pole warms up and the ice retreats.
Studying Polar Bears
Dr. Amstrup takes some time out in his office on the campus of the University of Alaska in Anchorage to talk about how polar bear research has moved from questions of hunting bears to climate change.
Polar Bears & Global Warming
The single biggest threat to polar bears is decline to their habitat that’s likely to occur because of Global Warming
Polar Bears & Loss of Habitat
The single biggest threat to polar bears is decline to their habitat that’s likely to occur because of Global Warming
Research on Polar Bears in the Polar Nations
Polar bear researchers from polar nations share information and resources
Field Work
Dr. Steven Amstrup of Anchorage, Alaska, talks about field work–Tagging, analyzing data, working with other polar nations
Dr. Paul Shepson
Analytical/Atmospheric Chemistry, Purdue University
Dr. Paul Shepson, Head of the Chemistry Deptartment, Purdue University holds a split appointment between the Departments of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, and Chemistry. He is currently Head of the Department of Chemistry, and was the founding Director of the Purdue Climate Change Research Center (PCCRC). Professor Shepson’s research group is interested in numerous problems in the field of atmospheric and analytical chemistry, applied to atmospheric measurement problems. His group focuses on issues related to exchange of gases between the surface and the atmosphere in two very different environments – the Arctic, and mid-latitude forests. His research approaches involve building platforms from which to study the atmosphere, including tethered balloons and aircraft, including the Airborne Laboratory for Atmospheric Research.
Ozone Buoy 101
Atmospheric chemist Paul Shepson talks about the Ozone Buoy, or O’Buoy.
Fixing" climate change with technology
Dr. Paul Shepson and Dr. Jan Bottenheim talk about the problems of simply using technology as an easy “fix” for climate change
Roy Ahmaogak
Dr. Steven C. Amstrup, Polar Bear Scientist, talks about the state of polar bear research and relates that to climate change and how polar nations are working together to share information. Dr. Amstrup is a Research Wildlife Biologist with the United States Geological Survey at the Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK. He led the international team of researchers which prepared 9 reports that became the basis for the recent decision, by the Secretary of Interior, to list polar bears as a threatened species.
A Polar Bear Came Through Barrow
OASIS scientists head out to perform experiments on the ice where they may well run into the bear.