1 - Instituto de Biologia da UFRJ

Team Leader
Dr. Neusa Maria Paes Leme – CRN/INPE
Vice-Team Leader
Dr. Emília Correia – INPE/CRAAM
Introduction
The monitoring of the Antarctic atmosphere and ocean
and their influence on South America is being built on
a consolidated basis as continuous studies have been
undertaken by Brazilian researchers in the Antarctic region
for decades. The idea is to give continuity to these studies,
which require long-term series, for a better understanding
of global changes, and to use the data in numerical models
of climate and weather forecasting so more trustworthy
forecasts can be done. The mentioned projects, because
they were not being considered as monitoring activities
over the years, have always been under the threat of
interruption. More than two decades of continuous studies
on the ozone hole and on the influence of Antarctic cold
fronts on our climate, besides other highly relevant studies,
must, therefore, have their continuity guaranteed. It is
essential that such activities are associated with a long term
monitoring program.
Antarctica plays an essential role in the thermal
equilibrium of the planet. In relation to South America
this is especially relevant. The climate of the Southern
hemisphere is essentially controlled by air masses originated
from the frozen continent.
It is well known that the energy, which comes from the
Sun, is not constant and can cause variation on the earth’s
climate, on global meteorology, and on the environment.
Recent studies have shown that solar radiation can alter
the physical-chemical properties of the atmosphere and
can influence the wind regime and the amount of UV
radiation, which reaches the earth’s surface, as well as the
cloud coverage and precipitation.
The understanding of the interaction between the
chemistry of the atmosphere and climate change is a new
and instigating research area. The connection between
atmosphere and solar radiation, especially UV, which
triggers the chemical reactions and these, in their turn,
depend on the temperature, atmospheric circulation
and climate, are now been studied in an integrated and
systematic manner.
New questions are arising with the observed changes
on the atmospheric temperature profile, especially with
the increase on the troposphere (near surface, as a result of
green house gases) and the decrease of the low stratosphere
(between 15 and 20 Km, because of the destruction of
ozone hole) and of the mesosphere (between 90 and 100
km, cause attributed to the increase of green house gases).
The main questions are: What are the chemical changes
that are occurring in the different layers of the atmosphere
with increase of UV radiation and changes in temperature?
What are the consequences for the dynamic, circulation and
equilibrium between the atmospheric layers?
Objectives
Monitor and Evaluate
Changes in chemistry and atmospheric dynamics and its
influence on climate, involving: the interaction Sun – Earth,
the temperature in the mesosphere, planetary waves, the
Hole in the Ozone, trace gas associated with the chemistry
of the ozone layer, greenhouse effect emissions, greenhouse
gases caused by human activity in the area of the Brazilian
Antarctic Station Comandante Ferraz (EACF, Portuguese
acronym, from now on) and the impacts of UV radiation
in the ecosystem.
Activities Developed
The activities of Thematic Area 1 are divided into five
themes:
1. Sun-Earth Relationship
2. Dynamics of Upper Atmosphere (Mesosphere)
3. Climatology of Ozone and UV Radiation
4. Meteorology
5. Greenhouse gases and aerosols
Science Highlights - Thematic Area 1 |
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