• 67.767°N 29.583°E 400 m a.s.l.

Observational platform

Finland

• University of Helsinki (UH)

• Tuukka Petäjä
  Facility PI

The SMEAR I (Station for Measuring Ecosystem-Atmosphere Relations) is ground-based fixed, observational platform, rural background site. SMEAR I started its operation in 1991. The station is located in connection with the Värriö subarctic research station at Värriö strict nature reserve in Salla municipality. It is surrounded by rather homogenous natural Scots pine forest, that has burned flat in the mid-1900’s, with the tree age of ca. 70-years. Further away (ca 0,5 km) tree age distribution represents typical northern boreal forest natural age distribution, including many >200 years. Dominant species are Scots pine and siberian spruce. Nearest town is Kovdor (Russia) 40 km south-east from the station, with ca. 18000 inhabitats and a large open pit mine. Monchegorsk region (Russia), with heavily polluting industry, is located ca 130 km east from the station. Nearest village in Finnish side is Savukoski, 85 km(linear distance), with few hundred inhabitants.

SMEAR I is a Station for Measuring Ecosystem-Atmosphere Relations. SMEAR I produces comprehensive, simultaneous measurements on atmosphere, Earth surface and biosphere, covering meteorology, atmospheric composition and fluxes, as well as ecosystem variables. SMEAR I is a co-located ICOS (associated), ACTRIS and eLTER site. The site contributes to ACTRIS aerosol in situ and reactive trace gases in situ measurements. Using SMEAR I data, processes and phenomena related to biosphere-aerosol-cloud-climate feedback, gas-to-particle conversion, biogeochemical cycles and surface-atmosphere exchange of energy and greenhouse gases are investigated.

SMEAR I is operational 24/7, year round. On-site accommodation is provided at Värriö research station. We provide open access to comprehensive multidisciplinary SMEAR I data. Technical support, instrument monitoring and maintenance for observations during extended periods can be negotiated and arranged.

• Sipilä et al. (2021). Wintertime subarctic new particle formation from Kola Peninsula sulfur emissions. Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21(23), 17559-17576. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-17559-2021
• Jokinen et al. (2022). Measurement report: Long-term measurements of aerosol precursor concentrations in the Finnish subarctic boreal forest. Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22(4), 2237-2254. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-2237-2022
• Kyrö et al. (2014). Trends in new particle formation in eastern Lapland, Finland: effect of decreasing sulfur emissions from Kola Peninsula. Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14(9), 4383-4396. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-4383-2014