Three years of springtime trace gas and particle measurements at Ny-Alesund, Svalbard

Measurements of gaseous and particulate inorganic trace chemicals were made in the high Arctic during springtime of three consecutive years (1997-1999 ) using a combination of denuders and filters for sampling and subsequent a nalysis by ion chromatography. Here we describe the experimental method. Th e analytical method is shown to be adequate for measurements of clean backg round air. For example, median concentrations of HBr, HNO3, MONO, particle NO;, and particle NO2- were 1.1, similar to 6.0, similar to 4.0, 22.9, and similar to 4.0 pmol mol(-1), respectively. We find that particulate species make up ca. 20% of the nitrogen budget in the Arctic. No significant corre lations appear in our data between the active nitrogen species in any one g iven year. Because of seasonal variations, correlations appear if data from all three years are considered together. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. Al l rights reserved.