For atmospheric boundary-layer (ABL) studies, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) can provide new information in addition to traditional in-situ measurements, or by ground- or satellite-based remote sensing techniques. The ability of fixed-wing UAS to transect the ABL in short time supplement ground-based measurements and the ability to extent the data horizontally and vertically allows manifold investigations. Thus, the measurements can provide many new possibilities for investigating the ABL. This study presents the new mark of the Multi-Purpose Airborne Sensor Carrier (MASC-3) for wind and turbulence measurements and describes the subsystems designed to improve the wind measurement, to gain endurance and to allow operations under an enlarged range of environmental conditions. The airframe, the capabilities of the autopilot Pixhawk 2.1, the sensor system and the data acquisition software, as well as the post-processing software, provide the basis for flight experiments and are described in detail. Two flights in a stable boundary-layer and a close comparison to a measurement tower and a Sodar system depict the accuracy of the wind speed and direction measurements, as well as the turbulence measurements. Mean values, variances, covariance, turbulent kinetic energy and the integral length scale agree well with measurements from a meteorological measurement tower. MASC-3 performs valuable measurements of stable boundary layers with high temporal resolution and supplements the measurements of meteorological towers and sodar systems.
Abstract. The role of polar regions is increasing in terms of
megatrends such as globalization, new transport routes, demography, and the use
of natural resources with consequent effects on regional and transported
pollutant concentrations. We set up the ERA-PLANET Strand 4 project “iCUPE
– integrative and Comprehensive Understanding on Polar Environments” to
provide novel insights and observational data on global grand challenges
with an Arctic focus. We utilize an integrated approach combining in situ
observations, satellite remote sensing Earth observations (EOs), and
multi-scale modeling to synthesize data from comprehensive long-term
measurements, intensive campaigns, and satellites to deliver data products,
metrics, and indicators to stakeholders concerning the environmental
status, availability, and extraction of natural resources in the polar areas.
The iCUPE work consists of thematic state-of-the-art research and the provision
of novel data in atmospheric pollution, local sources and transboundary
transport, the characterization of arctic surfaces and their changes, an assessment
of the concentrations and impacts of heavy metals and persistent organic
pollutants and their cycling, the quantification of emissions from natural
resource extraction, and the validation and optimization of satellite Earth
observation (EO) data streams. In this paper we introduce the iCUPE project
and summarize initial results arising out of the integration of comprehensive in
situ observations, satellite remote sensing, and multi-scale modeling in the
Arctic context.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.