Project Title

Ultra-Violet (UV) measurements at McMurdo Station for the NOAA/Global Monitoring Division (GMD) Antarctic UV network

Summary

Event Number:
O-257-M/S
NSF / NOAA Agreement

Program Director:
Dr. David Porter

ASC POC/Implementer:
Paul Sullivan / Randolph Jones / Sheryl Seagraves

Principal Investigator(s)

Dr. Vanda Grubisic
vanda.grubisic@noaa.gov
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Global Monitoring Division (GMD)
Boulder, Colorado

Project Web Site:
https://gml.noaa.gov/

Location

Supporting Stations: McMurdo Station, South Pole Station
Research Locations: Field Local, Arrival Heights, South Pole Station Atmospheric Research Observatory (ARO)

Description

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Earth System Research Laboratory Global Monitoring Division (ESRL/GMD) team conducts long-term measurements of ultra-violet radiation and trace gas constituents that influence climate and the ozone layer. The work at McMurdo Station and South Pole Station is done in conjunction with the ongoing worldwide measurements of carbon dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide, aerosols, water vapor, surface and stratospheric ozone, chlorofluorocarbons, and the ozone layer. Similar work is performed at Palmer Station. The measurements are used for time-series analysis of multi-year data records that focus on stratospheric ozone depletion, trans-Antarctic transport and deposition, interplay of the trace gases and aerosols with the solar and terrestrial radiation fluxes on the polar plateau, the magnitude of seasonal and temporal variations in greenhouse gases, and the development of polar stratospheric clouds over Antarctica. Other objectives are to determine the rate at which concentrations of these atmospheric constituents change, and to examine their sources, sinks, and budgets. Working with climate modelers and atmospheric chemists, these data are used to determine how the rate of change of these parameters affects climate and serve as inputs and verification for climate models.

Field Season Overview

This season, up to five deploying participants will focus on South Pole Station including upgrades and routine maintenance for the instruments located in the Atmospheric Research Observatory, regular launch of atmospheric balloons, and shipment of air samples to NOAA ESRL/GMD for analysis of carbon dioxide and other trace constituents. Two participants staff the South Pole Station Atmospheric Research Observatory facility year-round. At McMurdo Station, a research associate provides year-round support for the instruments located at Arrival Heights with daily checks, routine calibrations, and troubleshooting (as needed).

Deploying Team Members