Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences

a few recent graduates
Chemistry/Biochemistry
Environmental Studies
Geography
Geology

Nicolas Cullen, Ph.D.

Advisor: Konrad Steffen, Geography
Funding: NSF Office of Polar Programs

Characteristics of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer at Summit, Greenland

To determine impacts of snow photochemistry upon the composition of surface snow and its overlying atmosphere, field measurements were made during two summers at Summit, Greenland. A detailed understanding of the processes involved in air-snow interactions is necessary for the development of reliable models of present and past atmospheric chemistry. This dissertation works towards that goal by utilizing data from the atmospheric boundary layer at Summit in pursuit of the following objectives: (1) to demonstrate that intermittent turbulence can be characterized using existing instrumentation; (2) to parameterize scalar transfers in the near-surface layer; and (3) to describe the annual energy budget and its impact on atmospheric conditions.