Polar Ocean-Atmosphere-Sea Ice-Snowpack Interactions, and Global Change

Studies of atmospheric and snow composition over the past few decades have revealed that there is very active exchange of gases and particles between the atmosphere and the surface in polar regions. Furthermore, it is now known that solar radiation can greatly modify the nature of these exchange processes, both in terms of the rates, and in terms of the nature of chemical species that are exchanged. For example, it is known that NOx, carbonyl compounds, and molecular halogens can be chemically/photochemically produced in snowpacks and sea ice, followed by their emission into the atmosphere where they can influence the abundance of radiatively active gases like O3, particles, and persistent organic pollutants. Given that the coverage of snow and sea ice is changing, a more quantitative understanding of these processes is necessary, to enable more reliable prediction of the future state of the atmosphere. Here we will discuss new internationally coordinated research activities (including the Ocean-Atmosphere-Sea Ice-Snowpack (OASIS) program) aimed at improving our understanding of chemical species exchange between the polar surfaces, oceans, and the atmosphere, and how they relate to the International Polar Year.