Presence and implications of chemical contaminants in the freshwaters of the Canadian Arctic.

The studies described in this volume were conducted in the boreal forest zone of central Alaska. This high-latitude setting has a continental climate characterized by low annual precipitation (285 mm at Fairbanks), low humidity, low cloudiness, and large diurnal and annual temperature ranges (Haugen et al. 1982). The coldest month is January, with a mean daily temperature of -24.4°C, while July has a mean daily temperature of +17.1°C. In winter, strong, stable temperature inversions are common due to intense long-wave radiation cooling during long periods of low sun angle, darkness, and typically cloud-free conditions. Snow commonly covers the entire landscape from October through mid-April (average, 214 days in Fairbanks); the frost-free summer at Fairbanks averages 97 days (Haugen et al. 1982).

Climatic Characteristics of the Taiga in Interior Alaska

Quantitative analysis of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in Fairbanks, Alaska revealed significant levels of representative components. A fairly constant PAH pattern was observed throughout the winter of 1976-77, and the absolute PAH level correlated with air stagnation. Consideration of relative levels of individual PAH components reveals vehicular emissions as the major source but also provides evidence for contributions from power plant emissions. Fairbanks' PAH levels approach those of major cities in more moderate climates, and this situation emphasizes the importance of air quality problems in development of the Arctic.

https://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/Arctic33-2-316.pdf

Atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: An Aspect of Air Pollution in Fairbanks, Alaska

Technological advances in Differential Global Positioning Systems (DGPS), used in conjunction with specially designed survey targets, provide a means for accurately detecting frost heave and thaw settlement in cold environments, and for relating positions precisely in worldwide geodetic reference systems. Evidence acquired at West Dock and Flux Plot 3 in the Kuparuk River basin, North Slope of Alaska, confirm that DGPS is able to measure heave and thaw effectively and accurately at the centimeter-scale in tundra environments. Preliminary results indicate that heave and settlement show patterns of similar spatial variation to those of activelayer thickness (ALT), and weak to moderate correlations between ALT and heave/thaw. Preliminary DGPS results from Barrow, and a comparison with the records from the 1960s indicate that ground subsidence since the 1960s may have occurred. Results suggest that DGPS constitutes the current recommended approach for monitoring cryogenic phenomena and promises to be utilized for many years.

Frost Heave and Thaw Settlement in Tundra Environments: Applications of Differential Global Positioning System Technology

The high potential for air pollution in Alaskan lowlands results from a combination of very low winds and strong temperature inversions. The inversions trap pollutants below them and prevent effective dilution of the pollutants by mixing with higher air layers. Water vapor, emitted to the atmosphere from various combustion processes, leads to the formation of ice fog and other pollutants associated with ice crystals. (3 graphs, 5 photos)

Kenneth R. Rizzo

Papers

Air pollution in Alaska