Project Title

U.S. Department of Commerce NOAA Global Monitoring Division (GMD)

Summary

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

Program Director:
Dr. David Sutherland

ASC POC/Implementer:
John Rand / Paul Sullivan / Sheryl Seagraves

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: McMurdo Station, South Pole Station
Research Locations: South Pole Atmospheric Research Observatory

Description

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Earth System Research Laboratory Global Monitoring Division (ESRL-GMD) will continue long-term measurements of ultra-violet (UV) radiation that influences climate and the ozone layer. The observations are made in conjunction with ongoing worldwide measurements of carbon dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide, aerosols, water vapor, surface and stratospheric ozone, chlorofluorocarbons, and the ozone layer. The measurements are used for time-series analysis of multi-year data focusing on stratospheric ozone depletion, trans-Antarctic transport and deposition, the interplay of trace-gas 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.

Field Season Overview

At South Pole Station, this project operates a variety of instruments located in the Atmospheric Research Observatory (ARO) and mounted on an adjacent tower. The equipment runs continuously year-round and is operated and maintained by deployed NOAA personnel. A minimum of two NOAA personnel will staff the ARO year-round and perform upgrades, routine maintenance, and operation of the instruments. Project personnel also launch weather balloons daily.

Deploying Team Members