Turbulent flux profile measurements made over Arctic pack ice at 87°N during ASCOS

The Arctic Summer Cloud Ocean Study (ASCOS) took place during August and September 2008 in the central Arctic Ocean. Two meteorological masts (15 and 30m) were deployed on a large ice floe to make extensive measurements of turbulent fluxes over a three week period. 5 levels of sonic anemometers were deployed on the 15m mast, two of which were paired with high frequency Licor-7500 open path water vapour and CO₂ analysers. A single sonic anemometer was placed at the top of the 30m mast. These observations of sensible heat, latent heat and momentum fluxes are used to illustrate how turbulence varies vertically in the near-surface region and how these profiles differ under various stability regimes. In addition to this a sonic anemometer and Licor-7500 were placed at the edge of the ice floe, adjacent to an open lead. These measurements are used to determine the effect of open leads on surface turbulent fluxes over sea ice during the late summer months and thus their effect on the heterogeneity of the surface.