Project Title

Collection of atmospheric air for the NOAA/Global Monitoring Division (GMD) worldwide flask-sampling network

Summary

Event Number:
O-264-P
NSF / NOAA Agreement

Program Director:
Dr. David Porter

ASC POC/Implementer:
John Rand / Jamee Johnson

Principal Investigator(s)

Dr. James Hall Butler
james.h.butler@noaa.gov
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Global Monitoring Division (GMD)
Boulder, Colorado

Location

Supporting Stations: Palmer Station
Research Locations: Palmer Station

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 (UV) radiation and trace gas constituents that influence climate and the ozone layer. The work at Palmer 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 McMurdo and South Pole Stations under another event number for administrative convenience. 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 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

No team members will deploy. The Palmer Station research associate provides year-round support for the UV monitoring instruments. Scripps Institution of Oceanography air sampling takes place in Terra Lab, while sampling of halocarbons and other atmospheric trace species (HATS) and carbon-cycle greenhouse gases (CCGG) is performed with a mobile sampling unit at various places around station, depending on wind conditions. A site visit to the NOAA Boulder location is required prior to research associate deployment. Additional training is provided during turnover between research associates at Palmer Station.