Antarctic LIDAR Measurements for Polar Stratospheric Cloud Studies

SCIOPS provides LIDAR measurements from two Antarctic stations, McMurdo and Dumont d'Urville, for studying polar stratospheric clouds and ozone depletion. Data collection began in 1989 at DDU and 1993 at MCM, offering long-term observations. The dataset includes retrievals of PSC microphysics, aerosol extinction profiles from 8-35 km, and temperature profiles from 30-60 km.

Use Cases

• Analyze temporal trends in PSC occurrence from long-term LIDAR backscatter data to study ozone depletion cycles.
• Correlate retrieved temperature profiles (30-60 km range) with PSC formation events to validate thermodynamic models.
• Compare aerosol extinction coefficients (8 35 km range) between stations inside (McMurdo) and at the edge (Dumont d'Urville) of the polar vortex.
• Study the microphysical characteristics of PSCs, such as particle properties, to understand their role in stratospheric dehydration and denitrification.

Strengths

• Continuous operation since 1989 at one station and 1993 at another provides over a decade of longitudinal data.
• Measurements from two strategically located Antarctic bases allow for spatial comparison relative to the polar vortex.

Limitations

• Dataset has not been updated since 2002, making it temporally stale for contemporary climate studies.
• Specific row counts, column details, and data formats are unknown, complicating immediate usability.

Provenance

Source

SCIOPS, utilizing LIDAR stations at the McMurdo (USA) and Dumont d'Urville (France) Antarctic bases.

Collection Method

Ground-based LIDAR observations using a Nd:YAG laser pulsed at 10 Hz with a 532 nm channel.

Time Range

Data collection began in 1989 (DDU) and 1993 (MCM); last platform update recorded as 2002-09-26.

Freshness

null

Geography

Southern Hemisphere, specifically Antarctica at McMurdo Station and Dumont d'Urville Station.