Project Title

UV Measurements at McMurdo Station for the NOAA/Global Monitoring Lab's 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: McMurdo Station; South Pole Station

Description

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML) team will continue long-term measurements of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and trace gas constituents that influence the atmosphere, including the ozone layer. The work done at McMurdo, Palmer, and South Pole stations is in conjunction with the ongoing long-term worldwide measurements of atmospheric composition, aerosols, solar radiation, and the ozone layer. At the South Pole, GML collects year-round, long-term measurements of trace atmospheric constituents. The measurements are used for time series analysis of multiyear data that focus on stratospheric ozone depletion, trans-Antarctic transport and deposition, the interplay of trace gases and aerosols with solar and terrestrial radiation fluxes on the polar plateau, the magnitude of seasonal and temporal variations in atmospheric constituents, and the development of polar stratospheric clouds over Antarctica. Other objectives of this research are to determine the rate at which concentrations of these atmospheric constituents change and to examine the sources, sinks, and budgets.

Field Season Overview

This season, up to four deploying participants will focus on South Pole Station, including upgrades and routine maintenance for the instruments located in the Atmospheric Research Observatory (ARO), regular launch of atmospheric balloons, and shipment of air samples to GML for analysis of carbon dioxide and other trace constituents. Two participants staff the ARO year-round at the South Pole. 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