WRF-STILT Model Particle Trajectories for Barrow, Alaska, 1982-2011

Stochastic Time-Inverted Lagrangian Transport model outputs quantify the influence of upwind surface fluxes on greenhouse gas concentrations measured at the NOAA Barrow Alaska Observatory. The dataset contains footprint fields for 12 selected years between 15 August and 15 October across a 30-year study period from 1982 to 2011. These results support retrospective analysis linking atmospheric composition changes to shifts in Arctic ecosystem structure and carbon cycling.

Use Cases

• Quantifying the influence of upwind surface fluxes on observed CO2 and CH4 concentrations based on the Lagrangian particle dispersion model.
• Conducting retrospective analysis of changes in Arctic carbon cycling over a 30-year period using the 12 selected years of model outputs.
• Linking shifts in atmospheric composition at Arctic receptor sites to changes in ecosystem structure and function.
• Validating and interpreting atmospheric transport models using the adjoint 'footprint' fields generated by the STILT model.

Strengths

• Covers a 30-year study timeframe (1982-2011), providing a long-term perspective.
• Focuses on 12 specific years within that period for detailed seasonal analysis (15 August to 15 October).
• Model is driven by meteorological fields from a specific, documented version (WRF v3.5.1).
• Appears on multiple authoritative government platforms (Data.gov, NASA Earthdata), indicating recognized importance.

Limitations

• Column names and data structure are unknown, hindering immediate analysis.
• Conflicting 'last updated' metadata (2011 vs. 2026) creates uncertainty about data currency.
• Specific row counts, file sizes, and detailed provenance are not provided.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Simulation outputs from the Stochastic Time-Inverted Lagrangian Transport (STILT) model driven by Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model v3.5.1.

Time Range

1982 to 2011, with data for 12 specific years between 15 August and 15 October.

Freshness

2026-04-09 (from Data.gov, though this conflicts with a 2011 date from NASA Earthdata)

Geography

Receptors located at the NOAA Barrow Alaska Observatory, with footprints representing upwind influence regions.