Our researchers at work in Antarctica

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Our researchers at work in Antarctica

Beth Ferriter,
University of Colorado Intern

When it's April in the Antarctic, sunrise is still five months away, rising in mid-September. The sunrise will bring warmth and light to the continent but it will also initiate unique chemical reactions in the stratosphere. The colder the temperature, the more efficiently those reactions work - usually beginning at about -80C.

South Pole ozone hole animation

Ultraviolet rays from the sun start the chemical reaction that can cause a loss of up to 60% of the total ozone located in the stratosphere above Antarctica. This is known as the ozone hole. The yearly cycle of ozone depletion begins in the cold, dark winter when stratospheric clouds form. The CFC's floating around in the atmosphere are not harmful in the dark winter but when the ultraviolet light hits them in the springtime, they emit chlorine atoms. When these chlorine atoms react with the clouds, the resulting chemical reaction starts destroying ozone molecules. One chlorine atom can destroy about 100,000 ozone molecules. The reaction will continue until the chlorine is used up. This is what creates the ozone hole above the Antarctic from September through December.

Thanks to recent efforts to stop ozone depletion, there is hope for the future. Controlling emissions of substances that damage ozone through agreements such as the Montreal Protocol of 1987 and it's Amendments and Adjustments, we have changed our path that leads to the future of the ozone layer. It is estimated that depletion would have been about ten times larger than it is today if actions had not been taken. The ozone hole should slowly recover over the next 50 years.

The Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Lab (CMDL) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in Boulder, Colorado, monitors atmospheric constituents that could affect global climate. Over 50 sites around the world collect air samples to monitor greenhouse gas and ozone destroying chemicals. These measurements provide CMDL scientists with vital information that help them in their long term monitoring of the atmosphere and assists them in conducting research on climate change and the ozone layer.


Monitoring gases, aerosols, and solar radiation at South Pole station using ozone balloon soundings

CMDL operates four baseline observatories, including the "Clean Air Facility" at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole station. The cleanest air in the world is found here because it is the farthest distance from major population centers. Since 1961, this station has been monitoring gases, aerosols, and solar radiation. Since1986, ozone balloon soundings have been taken once a week. In the spring they are taken about three times per week. These measurements provide information on the overall state of the ozone layer.

new Clean Air Facility

New Clean Air Facility at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station

CMDL is just one of the labs that participates in the Antarctic research program. The program has been in affect for about forty years. In 1959 the Antarctic Treaty was signed by 12 nations. The treaty reserved Antarctica for scientific research and other peaceful purposes. There are many stations there that are supported financially by their own countries. The U.S. owns three stations: McMurdo, Amundsen-Scott, and Palmer. Antarctica attracts researchers from many fields. The cold, dry environment is ideal for gathering information and samples because it is so far away from vegetation and urban influence. Fields of study range from marine biology to astrophysics. Summertime is very busy in the Antarctic. People are constantly coming and going. Those who stay for the winter season are completely isolated from March through October.

Antarctic greenhouse provides fresh vegetables

Being in the Antarctic, however, does not mean that you have to give up all aspects of your normal, everyday life. There is a greenhouse in place so that vegetables can be grown. McMurdo has a place set aside for volleyball and some temporary residents even jump into the icy ocean water just to claim that they have swam the farthest south that one possibly can. Many stations have movies and pool tables as well. Researchers need to be careful to stay in designated safety areas, though. Wandering off of marked trails could mean falling into a snow-covered crevasse.

The Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Laboratory (CMDL) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in Boulder, Colorado, conducts research related to atmospheric constituents that are capable of forcing change in the climate of the Earth or that may deplete the ozone layer. CMDL monitors greenhouse gases, aerosols, ozone, ozone-depleting gases and solar and terrestrial radiation at global sites including four Baseline Observatories.

The Observatory Operations group operates staffed atmospheric baseline observatories at Barrow, Alaska; Mauna Loa, Hawaii; Samoa; and the South Pole from which numerous in situ and remote atmospheric and solar measurements are conducted.

[4/21/00]

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