Measurements of polar stratospheric clouds, condensation nuclei, and ozone during the austral winter and spring.

University Of Wyoming, Laramie WY

Investigators

Abstract

This award provides the funds to continue flying balloon borne instruments from McMurdo, Antarctica to measure stratospheric ozone and polar stratospheric cloud particles. The annual Antarctic ozone hole remains the most impressive example of how mankind has altered the global atmosphere with pollutants, in this case chlorofluorocarbons. Ozone is the Earth's only protection from the solar ultraviolet radiation (UV-B) that is capable of destroying living matter. The actual causes and mechanisms of the formation ozone hole appear to be fairly well understood; however, continued monitoring of the state of the stratosphere will allow comparisons of the model predictions with actual events in the stratosphere. On an issue of such great importance as the exposure of the surface of the Earth to harmful solar ultraviolet radiation, it is important to keep track of what is happening both to gain improved scientific understanding and as a matter of public policy. This project is jointly funded by the Office of Polar Programs and the Division of Atmospheric Sciences.