Analysis of Stratospheric Ozone and Meteorological Parameters observed at Bharati station, Larsemann Hills, Antarctica during 37th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica

Abstract

India along with South America, Africa, Antarctica, and Australia was part of the supercontinent Gondwana some 140 million years ago. When the supercontinent split up, the Indian plat moved north-eastward while the Australian and African plates moved comparatively less distance and at much lower speeds. The Antarctica remained almost stationary. The 37th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica was the fourth wintering of India Meteorological Department (IMD) members at Bharati station, Larsemann Hills, Antarctica. During the expedition recording of meteorological surface & upper air observations, vertical ozone measurement, continuous weather monitoring and forecasting were performed. All these meteorological parameters were thoroughly analyzed and studied. Temperature analysis showed that the coldest month was September and warmest was January. Strong and persistent north-easterly near-surface winds were observed throughout the year with May being the windiest month. During the period, 9 numbers of blizzards spanning a period of 15 days were observed with a maximum wind gust of 80 knots during a blizzard on 5th August 2018. During the expedition, a total of 32 balloon-borne GPS based ozone sonde ascents were taken and their analysis showed that the minimum thickness of ozone concentration is found between 15th September and 10th October. Also, the space weather, special meteorological phenomena and fauna found near Bharati station was observed and documented in this study.