An Analysis of Ozone Depletion Events Using a Network of Low-Power Ozone Sensors in the Ross Island Region, Antarctica

Near-surface ozone depletion events regularly occur during the austral spring in the Ross Island region, Antarctica. For the last two years a network of five low-power ozone sensors have been in operation co-located with automatic weather stations (AWS) in the Ross Island region. An analysis of the near-surface ozone observations is presented to better characterize the ozone depletion events in the region. The results of a 10-year study of ozone depletion events at nearby McMurdo Station (Arrival Heights) is included to prove a context for the representativeness of the relatively short-term observations from the five sensor network. The associated conditions related to the ozone depletion events are presented with a concentration on an analysis of the corresponding meteorological conditions for the region. Additionally, back trajectories are analyzed in an attempt to better identify the regions of active ozone depletion. The end result is a more comprehensive understanding of ozone depletion events in the Ross Island region, Antarctica.