A research project in Leipzig and Bremerhaven has provided new insights into clouds in Antarctica by investigating the vertical distribution of aerosol particles and clouds in the atmosphere above the Neumayer Station III in Queen Maud Land. The OCEANET-Atmosphere platform from the TROPOS was used for the measurements, marking the first time such observations were made in this region. The observations, funded by the German Research Foundation and conducted in collaboration with the AWI, aimed to document the current state of the Antarctic atmosphere, which is crucial for understanding ongoing climate changes in the region.
Antarctica’s climate is undergoing significant changes, with projections suggesting warming, sea ice reduction, and increased precipitation in the 21st century. However, uncertainties remain in global atmospheric circulation models, particularly regarding cloud cover and radiative forcing over the Southern Ocean. Understanding cloud formation in Antarctica is vital due to differences in atmospheric conditions and the transport of moisture and particles from lower latitudes to the pole. The COALA project focused on aerosol-cloud interactions in the Antarctic, supported by remote sensing measurements at the Neumayer III research station, with the goal of improving climate projections and understanding cloud formation in the region.
The OCEANET platform, equipped with state-of-the-art atmospheric observation instruments, was deployed at Neumayer III for a year, allowing researchers to monitor aerosol and cloud properties. Data collected revealed surprising findings, such as sulphate aerosols in the stratosphere resulting from volcanic eruptions. Additionally, the researchers observed the role of aerosol particles as cloud nuclei, influencing cloud formation and precipitation processes. Unusual warm air intrusions were also documented, highlighting the potential impact of climate change on Antarctic weather patterns.
The deployment of the OCEANET-Atmosphere platform provided valuable insights into Antarctic clouds and aerosols, leading to continued observations by the Alfred Wegener Institute. The data set obtained from the project will contribute to long-term climatological studies of aerosol and cloud parameters in the region. The researchers plan to analyze the extensive data further and compare it with existing datasets from other regions, aiming to gain a better understanding of differences in cloud formation between the northern and southern hemispheres.
The research conducted in Antarctica is part of a broader effort by TROPOS to study aerosol-cloud-climate processes in both the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Future expeditions and measurement campaigns are planned in regions such as southern Chile and New Zealand to continue investigating cloud dynamics and their impact on climate. By expanding their research efforts to diverse regions, the researchers hope to improve scientific understanding of aerosol-cloud interactions and their implications for global climate systems. The findings from the COALA project in Antarctica represent a significant step towards advancing knowledge of cloud formation processes in this remote and critical region.