Three years of springtime trace gas and particle measurements at Ny-Ålesund, 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 analysis by ion chromatography. Here we describe the experimental method. The analytical method is shown to be adequate for measurements of clean background air. For example, median concentrations of HBr, HNO3, HONO, particle NO3−, and particle NO2− were 1.1, 6.0, 4.0, 22.9, and 4.0 pmol mol−1, respectively. We find that particulate species make up ca. 20% of the nitrogen budget in the Arctic. No significant correlations appear in our data between the active nitrogen species in any one given year. Because of seasonal variations, correlations appear if data from all three years are considered together.