Sable Island Station:

Atmospheric Research

(February 2003, Revised September 2003)

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:

• acid precipitation

• atmospheric turbidity

• atmospheric aerosols

• carbon monoxide and ozone

• hydrocarbons and halocarbons

• toxic components in fog

• atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen

• background carbon dioxide levels

• oxides of sulphur and nitrogen

• airshed combustion products

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