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 / Randolph Jones

Principal Investigator(s)

Dr. Ariel NMI Stein
ariel.stein@noaa.gov
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Global Monitoring Division (GMD)

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

Location

Supporting Stations: McMurdo Station, South Pole Station
Research Locations: McMurdo Station; South Pole Station

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, operational requirements will continue as before, with the use of the Atmospheric Research Observatory (ARO) for the NOAA instrument suite and the management of the Clean Air Sector. A minimum of two NOAA personnel will staff the observatory year-round, performing upgrades and routine maintenance on the instruments. The need for space and logistics support for balloon launching will continue. The use of helium will continue with no changes. Air samples will be returned to NOAA/GML in Boulder, Colorado on a regular schedule for analysis of carbon dioxide and other trace constituents. Cargo, mail, supplies, and communications support are required.

At McMurdo Station, one field team member will spend approximately seven days servicing the UV instrument located at Arrival Heights. During the site visit, the McMurdo Station Research Associate (RA) may be requested for no more than two hours per day to aid in completing visit activities including training updates. The RA provides year-round support for the instrument with daily checks, routine calibrations, and troubleshooting (as needed). Training of the RA on the UV system is requested with five training days in Boulder, CO or at BSI in San Diego, CA prior to deployment.

Deploying Team Members