Distribution and trends of oxygenated hydrocarbons in the high Arctic derived from measurements in the atmospheric boundary layer and interstitial snow air during the ALERT2000 field campaign

Oxygenated hydrocarbons, including for the first time alcohols, in the atmosphere and snow-pack interstitial air were measured at Alert, Nunavut, Canada from 15 February to 5 May 2000. Unexpectedly high concentrations of oxygenated hydrocarbons were observed. Acetone, acetaldehyde and methanol represent about 90% of all oxygenated hydrocarbons measured in this work, and together with formaldehyde their total concentration was higher than the sum of measured NMHCs. During sunlit hours, concentrations in the snow-pack interstitial air were higher than those measured in the gas-phase, implying a positive flux from the snow-pack to the Arctic boundary layer. Fluxes of acetaldehyde, acetone and methanol at that time were estimated to be 26, 7.5 and 3.2×108 molecules cm−2 s−1, respectively. These rates would deplete the local snow of acetaldehyde and acetone in about 2 days if degassing was driving the flux. Additional evidence suggests that photochemical production in the snow-pack could explain these fluxes, especially for acetaldehyde. Diel variations were observed at Alert after polar sunrise in the snow-pack interstitial air and in ambient air. During decreasing O3 conditions, positive correlation with acetaldehyde was observed which is interpreted as implying local Br driven chemistry, but acetone mixing ratios showed a strong negative correlation.