Measurements of the horizontal and vertical distribution of aerosol light absorption and light scattering coefficients (at 550nm) for the Arctic aerosol show a high degree of correlation. Apparently originating from source areas at lower latitudes and present at various degrees of dilution, the haze observed was found to have a single scattering albedo in the range of 0.77 to 0.93 and a mean of ca. 0.86. Apart from sample periods with high seasalt concentrations at low altitudes or within ice crystal layers, the single scattering albedo values presented here are well below values characteristic of typical crustal aerosol but are similar to continental urban and rural values. These low values are consistent with arguments for mid-latitude combustion source for this aerosol. The magnitude and variability in the observed optical parameters suggest near surface heating rates in the range of 0.01 to 0.1 degrees centregrade per day.