Preliminary analysis and main problems of instrumental measurement complex at the Vernadsky Antarctic Station

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denys Pishniak ◽  
Svitlana Krakovska ◽  
Anastasia Chyhareva ◽  
Sergii Razumnyi
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Data ◽  
Bias Reduction ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
High Temporal Resolution ◽  
Monthly Precipitation ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Indirect Methods ◽  
Precipitation Measurement ◽  
Precipitation Gauge ◽  
The Antarctic

<p>Measurements of precipitation has always had well known difficulties that caused inaccuracies. This is especially acute in Polar regions where prevailing solid precipitation is accomplished with strong winds. Alternatively some indirect methods of precipitation measurements still in development and numerous meteorological instruments have been created on their basis.</p><p>The Akademik Vernadsky station is located in the Antarctic Peninsula region with a large amount of precipitation and  the problem of its measuring has always been relevant here. Although the data of monthly precipitation have been found for Vernadsky (Faraday) station since 1964, the first standard Tretyakov precipitation gauge was set up there only in 1997. But in recent years, several new instruments for indirect precipitation measurement have been installed at the meteorological site. The consistency of their data are the subject for this study. </p><p>Direct comparison of all measurement devices as well as investigation of their estimations dependencies from other meteorological parameters are analysed and will be presented for the period 2019-2020. Originally various instruments showed huge differences in precipitation estimates. Deep analysis and correction of the measurement results according to weather conditions is obviously needed for bias reduction. But the local features of the extremely heterogeneous underlying surface of the region affect the vertical component of the wind, and can cause the natural small scale precipitation variability. </p><p>The advantages of indirect methods for precipitation measuring is a high sensitivity to registering even individual falling precipitation particles and, hence, the really high temporal resolution of the data. Therefore, it can be used for investigation of physical atmospheric processes. As an example, the case study of a cyclone with precipitation phase transition over Vernadsky station on December 5-6, 2020 is investigated and will be presented. A comparison of the measurement data of various devices (Tretyakov Precipitation Gauge, Snow Stick, Vaisala PWD22, Lufft WS100, METEK MRR-PRO) and the ERA-5 reanalysis was carried out. A vertical radar MRR-PRO is of special interest as a measuring instrument for polar regions because it can ignore surface snow transport and has proved reliability in the Antarctic environment recently. In Marine Antarctica this device can identify the height of precipitation melting and also show a number of other useful parameters. This complex of precipitation measurement instruments is planned to be used in the frames of the forthcoming YOPP-SH field campayne.</p>

scholarly journals High-resolution topography of the Antarctic Peninsula combining the TanDEM-X DEM and Reference Elevation Model of Antarctica (REMA) mosaic

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 4421-4443
Author(s):  
Yuting Dong ◽  
Ji Zhao ◽  
Dana Floricioiu ◽  
Lukas Krieger ◽  
Thomas Fritz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Antarctic Peninsula ◽  
Data Consistency ◽  
Optical Data ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Elevation Model ◽  
The Antarctic

Abstract. The Antarctic Peninsula (AP) is one of the widely studied polar regions because of its sensitivity to climate change and potential contribution of its glaciers to global sea level rise. Precise digital elevation models (DEMs) at a high spatial resolution are much demanded for investigating the complex glacier system of the AP at fine scales. However, the two most recent circum-Antarctic DEMs, the 12 m TanDEM-X DEM (TDM DEM) from bistatic interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data acquired between 2013 and 2014 and the Reference Elevation Model of Antarctica mosaic (REMA mosaic) at an 8 m spatial resolution derived from optical data acquired between 2011 and 2017 have specific individual limitations in this area. The TDM DEM has the advantage of good data consistency and few data voids (approx. 0.85 %), but there exist residual systematic elevation errors such as phase-unwrapping errors in the non-edited DEM version. The REMA mosaic has high absolute vertical accuracy, but on the AP it suffers from extended areas with data voids (approx. 8 %). To generate a consistent, gapless and high-resolution topography product of the AP, we fill the data voids in the TDM DEM with newly processed TDM raw DEM data acquired in austral winters of 2013 and 2014 and detect and correct the residual systematic elevation errors (i.e., elevation biases) in the TDM DEM with the support of the accurately calibrated REMA mosaic. Instead of a pixelwise replacement with REMA mosaic elevations, these provide reference values to correct the TDM elevation biases over entire regions detected through a path propagation algorithm. The procedure is applied iteratively to gradually correct the errors in the TDM DEM from a large to small scale. The proposed method maintains the characteristics of an InSAR-generated DEM and is minimally influenced by temporal or penetration differences between the TDM DEM and REMA mosaic. The performance of the correction is evaluated with laser altimetry data from Operation IceBridge and ICESat-2 missions. The overall root mean square error (RMSE) of the corrected TDM DEM has been reduced from more than 30 m to about 10 m which together with the improved absolute elevation accuracy indicates comparable values to the REMA mosaic. The generated high-resolution DEM depicts the up-to-date topography of the AP in detail and can be widely used for interferometric applications as well as for glaciological studies on individual glaciers or at regional scales.

scholarly journals One decade of imaging precipitation measurement by 2D-video-distrometer

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 85-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Schönhuber ◽  
G. Lammer ◽  
W. L. Randeu
Keyword(s):  
Orientation Angle ◽  
Radar Data ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
User Friendliness ◽  
Fall Velocity ◽  
Drop Shape ◽  
The Past ◽  
Precipitation Measurement ◽  
Precipitation Gauge ◽  
Precise Time

Abstract. The 2D-Video-Distrometer (2DVD) is a ground-based point-monitoring precipitation gauge. From each particle reaching the measuring area front and side contours as well as fall velocity and precise time stamp are recorded. In 1991 the 2DVD development has been started to clarify discrepancies found when comparing weather radar data analyses with literature models. Then being manufactured in a small scale series the first 2DVD delivery took place in 1996, 10 years back from now. An overview on present 2DVD features is given, and it is presented how the instrument was continuously improved in the past ten years. Scientific merits of 2DVD measurements are explained, including drop size readings without upper limit, drop shape and orientation angle information, contours of solid and melting particles, and an independent measurement of particles' fall velocity also in mixed phase events. Plans for a next generation instrument are described, by enhanced user-friendliness the unique data type shall be opened to a wider user community.

scholarly journals Detection of aerosols in Antarctica from long-range transport of the 2009 Australian wildfires

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Jumelet ◽  
Florent Tencé ◽  
Philippe Keckhut ◽  
Slimane Bekki
Keyword(s):  
Long Range ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Aerosol Size Distribution ◽  
Long Range Transport ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Volcanic Plume ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Smoke Particle ◽  
Range Transport ◽  
The Antarctic

<p>We analyze the long-range transport to high latitudes of a smoke particle filament originating from the southern tropics main plume after the Australian wildfires now colloquially known as ‘Black Saturday’ on February 7<sup>th</sup> 2009. Using a high-resolution transport/microphysical model, we show that the monitoring cloud/aerosol lidar instrument operating at the French Antarctic station Dumont d’Urville (DDU - 66°S - 140°E) recorded a signature of those aerosols. The 532 nm scattering ratio of this thin aerosol structure is comparable to typical moderate stratospheric volcanic plume, with values between 1.4 and 1.6 on the 1<sup>st</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> days of March above DDU station at around the 14 and 16 km altitude respectively.</p><p>In this study, a dedicated model is described and its ability to track down such fine optical signatures at the global scale is assessed and validated against the Antarctic lidar measurements. Using one month of tropical CALIOP/CALIPSO data as a minimal support to a relatively simple microphysical scheme, we report modeled presence of the aerosols above DDU station after advection of the aerosol size distribution. The space-borne lidar data provide constraints to the microphysical evolution during the simulation and ensure reliable long-range transport of the particles as well as accurate rendering of the plume small-scale features below the 1°x1° resolution threshold.</p><p>This case study of smoke particle signature identification above Antarctica provides strong evidence that biomass burning events, alongside volcanic eruptions, have to be considered as processes able to inject significant amounts of material up to stratospheric altitudes. Among the questions arising out of this study, we highlight the occurrence and imprint of such smoke particles on the Antarctic atmosphere over larger time scales. Any degree of underestimation of the global impact of such deep particle transport will lead to uncertainties in modeling the associated chemical or radiative effects, especially in polar regions where many specific microphysical processes take place. Mainly through sedimentation, particle trapping above Antarctica may also impact the ground albedo (which is some of the largest in the world). Correlated to the smoke presence, we also report an associated ozone increase observed with the DDU ozone lidar. This feature only rarely been observed for events where pyroconvection is originally involved.</p>

Carbon Monoxide Variations in the Antarctic Atmosphere from Ground-Based and Satellite Measurement Data

2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (9) ◽  
pp. 1210-1217
Author(s):  
V. P. Ustinov ◽  
E. L. Baranova ◽  
K. N. Visheratin ◽  
M. I. Grachev ◽  
A. V. Kal’sin
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Satellite Measurement ◽  
The Antarctic

scholarly journals Can gravity waves significantly impact PSC occurrence in the Antarctic?

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (22) ◽  
pp. 8825-8840 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. McDonald ◽  
S. E. George ◽  
R. M. Woollands
Keyword(s):  
Antarctic Peninsula ◽  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Clustering Algorithm ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Temperature Threshold ◽  
Aerosol Extinction ◽  
Polar Stratospheric Clouds ◽  
Mountain Wave ◽  
Stratospheric Clouds ◽  
The Antarctic

Abstract. A combination of POAM III aerosol extinction and CHAMP RO temperature measurements are used to examine the role of atmospheric gravity waves in the formation of Antarctic Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs). POAM III aerosol extinction observations and quality flag information are used to identify Polar Stratospheric Clouds using an unsupervised clustering algorithm. A PSC proxy, derived by thresholding Met Office temperature analyses with the PSC Type Ia formation temperature (TNAT), shows general agreement with the results of the POAM III analysis. However, in June the POAM III observations of PSC are more abundant than expected from temperature threshold crossings in five out of the eight years examined. In addition, September and October PSC identified using temperature thresholding is often significantly higher than that derived from POAM III; this observation probably being due to dehydration and denitrification. Comparison of the Met Office temperature analyses with corresponding CHAMP observations also suggests a small warm bias in the Met Office data in June. However, this bias cannot fully explain the differences observed. Analysis of CHAMP data indicates that temperature perturbations associated with gravity waves may partially explain the enhanced PSC incidence observed in June (relative to the Met Office analyses). For this month, approximately 40% of the temperature threshold crossings observed using CHAMP RO data are associated with small-scale perturbations. Examination of the distribution of temperatures relative to TNAT shows a large proportion of June data to be close to this threshold, potentially enhancing the importance of gravity wave induced temperature perturbations. Inspection of the longitudinal structure of PSC occurrence in June 2005 also shows that regions of enhancement are geographically associated with the Antarctic Peninsula; a known mountain wave "hotspot". The latitudinal variation of POAM III observations means that we only observe this region in June–July, and thus the true pattern of enhanced PSC production may continue operating into later months. The analysis has shown that early in the Antarctic winter stratospheric background temperatures are close to the TNAT threshold (and PSC formation), and are thus sensitive to temperature perturbations associated with mountain wave activity near the Antarctic peninsula (40% of PSC formation). Later in the season, and at latitudes away from the peninsula, temperature perturbations associated with gravity waves contribute to about 15% of the observed PSC (a value which corresponds well to several previous studies). This lower value is likely to be due to colder background temperatures already achieving the TNAT threshold unaided. Additionally, there is a reduction in the magnitude of gravity waves perturbations observed as POAM III samples poleward of the peninsula.

scholarly journals Spatial and Temporal Sampling of Polar Regions from Two-Satellite System on Molniya Orbit

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 977-992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander P. Trishchenko ◽  
Louis Garand
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Resolution ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Elliptical Orbit ◽  
High Temporal Resolution ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Temporal Sampling ◽  
Continuous Coverage ◽  
Depth Analysis

Abstract There has been a significant increase of interest in the building of a comprehensive Arctic observing system in recent years to properly and timely track the environmental and climate processes in this vast region. In this regard, a satellite observing system on highly elliptical orbit (HEO) with 12-h period (Molniya type) is of particular interest, because it enables continuous coverage of the entire Arctic region (58°–90°N) from a constellation of two satellites. Canada is currently proposing to operate such a constellation by 2017. Extending the pioneering study of S. Q. Kidder and T. H. Vonder Haar, this paper presents in-depth analysis of spatiotemporal sampling properties of the imagery from this system. This paper also discusses challenges and advantages of this orbit for various applications that require high temporal resolution and angular sampling.

scholarly journals Evolution in the cold

2000 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Antarctic Fish ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Evolutionary Studies ◽  
Adaptive Radiations ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

Theodosius Dobzhansky once remarked that nothing in biology makes sense other than in the light of evolution, thereby emphasising the central role of evolutionary studies in providing the theoretical context for all of biology. It is perhaps surprising then that evolutionary biology has played such a small role to date in Antarctic science. This is particularly so when it is recognised that the polar regions provide us with an unrivalled laboratory within which to undertake evolutionary studies. The Antarctic exhibits one of the classic examples of a resistance adaptation (antifreeze peptides and glycopeptides, first described from Antarctic fish), and provides textbook examples of adaptive radiations (for example amphipod crustaceans and notothenioid fish). The land is still largely in the grip of major glaciation, and the once rich terrestrial floras and faunas of Cenozoic Gondwana are now highly depauperate and confined to relatively small patches of habitat, often extremely isolated from other such patches. Unlike the Arctic, where organisms are returning to newly deglaciated land from refugia on the continental landmasses to the south, recolonization of Antarctica has had to take place by the dispersal of propagules over vast distances. Antarctica thus offers an insight into the evolutionary responses of terrestrial floras and faunas to extreme climatic change unrivalled in the world. The sea forms a strong contrast to the land in that here the impact of climate appears to have been less severe, at least in as much as few elements of the fauna show convincing signs of having been completely eradicated.

scholarly journals Temporal Distribution of Arsenic and Metals in Soil From King George Island, Antarctica

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tailisi H. Trevizani ◽  
Rosalinda C. Montone ◽  
Rubens C. L. Figueira
Keyword(s):  
Human Activities ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Control Points ◽  
King George Island ◽  
Admiralty Bay ◽  
Direct Exposure ◽  
Antarctic Continent ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Continue Monitoring

The polar regions are vulnerable to impacts caused by local and global pollution. The Antarctic continent has been considered an environment that has remained little affected by human activities. Direct exposure to contaminants may occur in areas continuously occupied by research stations for several decades. Admiralty Bay on the southeast coast of King George Island, has potential for being affected by human activities due research stations operating in the area, including the Brazilian Commandant Ferraz Antarctic Station (CFAS). The levels of metals and arsenic were determined in soils collected near CFAS (points 5, 6, 7, and 9), Base G and at two points distant from the CFAS: Refuge II and Hennequin. Samples were collected after the fire in CFAS occurred in February 2012, up to December 2018 to assess the environmental impacts in the area. Al and As were related with Base G. Refuge II and Hennequin can be considered as control points for this region. As a consequence of the accident, the increased levels for Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn, especially at point 9 (inside the CFAS) and in the soil surrounding the CFAS in 2013. The results from 2016 to 2018 demonstrated a reduction in levels of all studied metals near CFAS, which may be related to the leaching of metals into Admiralty Bay; it is thus, being important the continue monitoring soil, sediments, and Antarctic biota.

scholarly journals A dynamic global model for planktonic foraminifera

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 4323-4384 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Fraile ◽  
M. Schulz ◽  
S. Mulitza ◽  
M. Kucera
Keyword(s):  
Sediment Trap ◽  
Mixed Layer Depth ◽  
Planktonic Foraminifera ◽  
Temperature Tolerance ◽  
Biological Information ◽  
Food Type ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Zooplankton Abundance ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
White Variety

Abstract. Seasonal changes in the flux of planktonic foraminifera have to be understood to interpret corresponding proxy-based reconstructions. To study the seasonal cycle of planktonic foraminifera species we developed a numerical model of species concentration (PLAFOM). This model is forced with a global hydrographic dataset (e.g. temperature, mixed layer depth) and with biological information taken from an ecosystem model (e.g. "food type", zooplankton abundance) to predict monthly concentrations of the most common planktonic foraminifera species used for proxies: N. pachyderma (sinistral and dextral varieties), G. bulloides, G. ruber (white variety) and G. sacculifer. The sensitivity of each species with respect to temperature (optimal temperature and range of tolerance) is derived from sediment-trap studies. Overall, the spatial distribution patterns of most of the species are comparable to core-top data. N. pachyderma (sin.) is limited to polar regions, N. pachyderma (dex.) and G. bulloides are the most common species in high productivity zones like upwelling areas, while G. ruber and G. sacculifer are more abundant in tropical and subtropical oligotrophic waters. Modeled seasonal variation match well with sediment-trap records in most of the locations for N. pachyderma (sin), N. pachyderma (dex.) and G. bulloides. G. ruber and G. sacculifer show, in general, lower concentrations and less seasonal variability in all sites. The lower variability is reflected in the model output, but the small scale variations are not reproduced by the model in several locations. Due to the fact that the model is forced by climatological data, it can not capture interannual variations. The sensitivity experiments we carried out show that, inside the temperature tolerance range, food availability is the main parameter which controls the abundance of some species. The here presented model represents a powerful tool to explore the response of planktonic foraminifera to different boundary conditions, and to quantify the seasonal bias in foraminifera-based proxy records.

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