LAUSR

We discuss the results of comparison of the average physicochemical aerosol characteristics in neighboring regions: in the Arctic settlement Barentsburg (Spitsbergen Archipelago) and over the Barents Sea. A small (less than 0.02) excess of the atmospheric aerosol optical depth in the island area over the maritime region is noted. The aerosol microphysical characteristics in the near-ground layer differ strongly: the black carbon concentrations are (a factor of 4) larger in Barentsburg, and particle concentrations are (a factor of 2.4) larger over the sea. The absolute concentrations of ions in the atmosphere of Barentsburg are several-fold smaller than over the sea. However, with respect to the relative content, Na+, Cl− and $${\text{NH}}_{4}^{ + }$$, $${\text{SO}}_{4}^{{2 - }}$$ ions predominate in both regions, indicating equivalent contributions of continental and maritime sources.