Thermodynamics, Aerosol, Clouds in the Polar Atmosphere
The polar regions are experiencing some of the most rapid climatic changes on Earth, manifesting in dramatic warming and loss of sea-ice at both poles. Key atmospheric contributions to the observed polar warming are transport and exchange of heat, mass and momentum, and related processes involving aerosols and clouds.
Arctic Long-Term Observations
At the Atmospheric Observatory at the AWIPEV research base in Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, we operate long-term observations of surface and upper-air meteorology, surface-based radiation, as well as remote sensing measurements of aerosols and thermodynamic components.
The scientific analysis of these observational data is embedded in various national and international projects (e.g. (AC)3, CRiceS), and is focussed on processes contributing to the Arctic Amplification of global warming.
More specific information about the Atmospheric Observatory at the AWIPEV research base can be found at the dedicated www.awipev.eu webpage.
Related data access is given through our PANGAEA data base.
Antarctic Long-Term Observations
In Antarctica, atmospheric research is split into two observatories at the Neumayer Station. At the Meteorological Observatory Neumayer we acquire long-term observations of surface and upper-air meteorology, surface-based radiation, as well as remote some sensing of cloud properties. Furthermore the observatory performs three-hourly synoptical observations which are distributed via global WMO networks for operational weather forecasting. Atmospheric long-term observations concerning chemical processes and/or aerosol are performed in the Air Chemistry Observatory at Neumayer. Both observatories are crewed all year around and are operated in close collaboration.
In order to make use of our acquired long-term time series we collaborate with colleagues world-wide. We follow an open data policy and publish all our measurements for the community to use. New collaborations on facilitating our data are welcome.
Additional Observation Platforms
Atmospheric measurements are performed also
- onboard the research vessel Polarstern,
- at polar aircrafts Polar 5 and Polar 6,
- and at some Automatic Weather Stations in Antartica.
International Data Networks
Both polar observatories, AWIPEV and Neumayer, contribute with their measurements to the
Observations and Modelling
Observational data is valorized in our section twofold.
- Observations are utilized for model validations and parameterisation improvements on regional and local scales.
- Moreover, we apply regional model outputs for the interpretation of long term changes as observed e.g. at our station on Svalbard in a regional and Arctic wide context.
