Determination of Stratospheric Polar Ozone Losses (Match)

Since 1994/95 AWI coordinated in most Arctic winters and in a single Antarctic winter the ozonesoundings in the polar and subpolar regions in order to determine with a sophisticated approach the chemical ozone depletion in the stratosphere.  Between 1991/92 and 1993/94 this approach had been used passively.  A list of past, present and planned Match campaigns is given at the bottom.  Recently, within the frame of the International Polar Year (IPY) an Arctic as well as an Antarctic Match campaign took place. One Arctic Match campaign started for the winter 2007/08. Another Arctic Match campaign in the winter 2008/09 did not take place due to a major stratospheric warming event.  This event prevented conditioning of the air masses with chlorine radicals in February and March.  Instead a Match campaign in planned for the winter 2009/10.  However, again, please note, that the planned Arctic campaign will only take place when the meteorological conditions in the stratosphere will favour chemical ozone depletion, which will only be known shortly before campaign start.

Antarctic 2007

Between June 4th and October 31st, 2007, the second Antarctic ozonesonde Match campaign took place. About 300 ozonesondes were coordinated and launched at nine stations: Belgrano, Davis, Dome Concordia, Dumont d'Urville, Marambio, McMurdo, Neumayer, South Pole, Syowa.

Arctic 2007/08

Due to early low Arctic stratospheric temperature a ozonesonde Match campaign started on December 13th, 2007. The campaign ended in late March 2008.

Arctic 2009/10

The ozonesonde Match campaign ranged from January, 6th to the end of February.

Special Information for Station Staff

Some insight into the coordination work of a Match campaign can be found in our Match campaign manual.

Dr. Peter von der Gathen
Dr. Markus Rex
Holger Deckelmann