Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Observational study on the formation and dissipation processes of Antarctic ozone hole using ozone sondes and ground-based Fourier-transform spectrometer at Syowa Station  (Ozone hole observation by ozonesondes and FTIR at Syowa Station in the Antarctic)

Outline
After the international regulations by the Montreal Protocol, amount of effective chlorine in the atmosphere reached its peak at around 2000. However, the magnitude of ozone hole does not seem to diminish until 2004, probably because the life time of CFCs is tens of years. Also, there are a lot of unknown mechanisms which control the magnitude of Antarctic ozone hole and its recovery. In 2003 when the largest ozone hole appeared, we performed an intensive ozone sonde observation at Japanese Syowa Station (69.0S, 39.6E) in the Antarctic to see dynamical effects of the ozone layer recovery processes. The first half of the observation is also a part of the first Antarctic ozonesonde network observation participated in by 9 stations to examine ozone destruction rate quantitatively. The current proposal is to make an extended study on ozone hole processes by observing minor constituents acting on the ozone chemistry by FTIR and ozone with high vertical resolution by ozonesondes as made in 2003.Syowa Station has an advantage of ozone layer monitoring. First, it is usually located at the edge of the polar vortex, which gives us unique opportunity to observe both inside and outside the polar vortex, where ozone-related chemistry and dynamics are much different. Second, as Syowa Station is geographically located at relatively low latitude, we can use sun light needed for FTIR observation in a longer time period than at the other FTIR stations located at high latitudes, such as Scott Station. Thus we can start measurements in August when ozone depletion reaction begins. Finally, we can take the most advantage of comprehensive atmospheric observations at Syowa Station, including rawinsondes, lidar measurements, or satellite measurements.Considering issues above, invaluable scientific achievements regarding the mechanisms of Antarctic ozone changes are expected if we make ozone sonde and FTIR observations at Syowa Station during the period of IPY 2007-2008

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Simultaneous operation of ozonesondes providing high-vertical resolution ozone data and FTIR providing high-time resolution data of constituents related to ozone chemistry give us a unique data set to understand Antarctic ozone hole chemistry (Themes 1 and 2). Wind and temperature data as well as ozone by ozonesondes in long time period are essential to examine ozone hole dissipation processes dominated by dynamics, i.e. mixing and transport from low latitudes (Theme 3). The timing of ozonehole formation and dissipation depends on year. Thus, comparison of ozone hole dissipation in 2007 and that in 2003 is also interesting to estimate its inter-annual variability (Theme 2).

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
By exchanging FTIR data at the other stations such as Scott station, ozone chemistry can be examined as a function of latitude. This observation at Syowa Station is regarded also as a part of FTIR working group activity in NDSC.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Syowa Station (69.0S, 39.6E)

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 2/2007 – 1/2008            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Icebreaker, snow terrain vehicles and helicopters are needed to transport the observation instruments.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Nothing

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own national polar operator
Another national polar operator
National agency
Military support
Own support

Since the operation procedure is established, only a few operators are needed for observation after the transportation of all instruments are completed by our party and military.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This project is endorsed by Japanese national committee of IPY 2007-2008.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
No

The project is recognized as a part of atmospheric science program entitled “Observation Project of Global Atmospheric Change in the Antarctic”. This mother project continues in 6 years from February of 2002 through January of 2008 and the current project is one of the main ones for the last year.

How will the project be organised and managed?
This project is organized and managed as one of the main research projects of 48th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Newly obtained scientific knowledge by this project will be opened through internet for public interest.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The FTIR data and ozonesonde data will be archived in NDSC for the use of international scientific activity.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
To apply national funding agencies as a part of activity of Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Associate Professor Kaoru Sato
Kaga 1-9-10
Itabashi
Tokyo
173-8515
Japan

Tel: +81-3-3962-4717
Mobile: no
Fax: +81-3-3962-5701
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation