Air temperature variability in the vertical profile over the coastal area of Petuniabukta, central Spitsbergen

Abstract

Abstract:A two-year-long data set of air temperature from four different altitudes above Petuniabukta, central Spitsbergen, was analysed in order to assess the near-surface temperature lapse rates and the relative frequency of air temperature inversion occurrence. From August 2013 to July 2015, air temperatures at adjacent altitudes in Petuniabukta were strongly correlated. The near-surface lapse rates in all three layers differed significantly both from the average lapse rate in the international standard atmosphere (0.65°C 100 m -1 ) and the lapse rate calculated by linear regression. A pronounced annual cycle was detected in the lowermost air layer (from 23 to 136 m a.s.l.) with a variable near-surface lapse rate in the winter months, while an annual cycle was not apparent in the air layers above 136 m a.s.l. The lowermost layer was also characterized by a notable daily cycle in near-surface lapse rate in spring and autumn. Air temperature inversions occurred in up to 80% of the study period in the air layer below 136 m a.s.l., with the relative frequency being much lower in the other two air layers. The air temperature inversions lasted as long as 139 hours. A case study revealed that one of the strongest air temperature inversions was connected to an area of lower pressure gradients at the 850-hPa pressure level.

Meteorology and summer net radiation of an Arctic alpine glacier: Svenbreen, Svalbard

“…Many glacio‐meteorological studies, however, report an opposite cycle, that is, with steeper winter and shallower summer LRs, due to the damping effect of melting ice on air temperature (e.g., Shea et al , ; Krismer, ). The shallower winter LRs over Svenbreen are likely related to persisting winter inversions over the study area within the lowest hundreds of metres of the atmosphere (Ambrožová and Láska, ), consistent with the results of Gardner et al () from arctic Canada.…”

Comparison of Microphototrophic Communities Living in Different Soil Environments in the High Arctic

“…Sampling sites were located in the vicinity of Petunia Bay, the north branch of Billefjorden, Central Svalbard (Figure 1). The mean annual air temperatures in the study area range from-−3.7 • C at the sea level to <-8.4 • C (top of Mumien Peak) in higher-elevation sites (Ambrožová and Láska, 2017). The coastal zone of Petunia Bay has a short summer (from June to September) with the mean monthly air temperatures above 0 • C reaching maximum at 15 • C in July (Láska et al, 2012).…”

“…While the largest diurnal amplitudes were found for the driest soil crust from Site G (up to 11 • C), the vegetated soil at the well-saturated Site T showed a twice lower temperature amplitude (Figure 2). On the other hand, the diurnal temperature regime at the site P showed a much smaller amplitude than lower-lying sites, as a consequence of the altitude effect on air temperature (Ambrožová and Láska, 2017), the increased snow cover occurrence and related insulation effect on the active-layer thermal regime (Westermann et al, 2009;Hrbáček et al, 2016). In addition, the microbial communities responded to environmental drivers and changed over the years.…”

Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) antler characteristics reflecting the local environmental conditions

“…The valleys are divided by rather steep mountain ridges and many glaciers as well. The average annual air temperature in Petuniabukta in 2013-2015 was -3.7 °C, with a minimum of -28.3 °C (February 2015) and a maximum of 17 °C in July 2015 (Ambrožová and Láska, 2017). Additional information related to the local climate characteristics can be found in Láska et al (2012).…”