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In addition to the continuous and long-term collection of
meteorological and aerological data, during the last three decades the Sable
Island Station has participated in a number of Canadian and international
atmospheric research programs. Scientists with groups and agencies such as
the Air Quality Branch (Meteorological Service of Canada), the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the University of Rhode
Island and Princeton University, have initiated and
participated in programs on Sable Island.
There are two broad categories of atmospheric research
carried out on Sable Island: study of meteorological dynamics, and study of
pollution. The former deals with topics such as interaction of weather
systems and generation of storms; the latter addresses issues such as global
warming and air-borne contaminants.
Atmospheric Dynamics. Because it is located on the winter
storm track, the Sable Island Station has participated in research programs
dedicated to understanding the genesis and development of "East Coast"
storms. These intensive studies have included the Experiment of Rapidly
Intensifying Cyclones in the Atlantic (ERICA) in 1989, and the Canadian
Atlantic Storm Program (CASP) in 1986 and 1992.
Atmospheric Pollution. Sable Island's location "downwind"
of North America has led to its use as a platform for studies of air quality
and long range transport of air pollutants. Programs have ranged from major
international projects such as the North Atlantic Regional Experiments (NARE),
to smaller programs examining background levels of organochlorines and
halocarbons, and include studies of:
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