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South Pole Ozone Changes

Hi Elke!

Happy New Year...almost;)

Wondering if you have seen any of the other Polartrec people at the research facilities? Did you have a chance to talk story with them?

I am really interested in knowing what changes you have seen since the last time you were in Antarctica for the good and maybe, not so good.

Hope you are having a wonderful experience!

warmly, Maggie

Wed, 01/02/2008 - 09:12

Elke Bergholz

Dear Maggie, No, I have not seen any other PolarTREC teachers. I am the only one at the South Pole. Although some of our times overlap, we are all in different areas. I saw one PolarTREC teacher for 5 minutes in Christchurch when he was about to deploy to Atarctica. We have each others journals, though. We also have a chance to see each other at meetings once we are back in the states. I am not so certain what you mean in terms of the changes here in Antarctica. If you mean the scientific atmospheric changes, I know that we are seeing a slight improvement in the CFC concentrations: they have decreased. We still see the ozone hole each Antarctic spring, however, our prediction is, based on our data, that we might be without ozone hole in 2065 if all countries start to replace the CFC's!If you mean changes here at the South Pole, a lot has changed here. The New Station has replaced the Dom. It can house 150 people and it is most comfortable to live in. I live in the new sation. "Summer Camp" is still in use as well because of all the different science projects here at the South Pole. The New station is much larger than the Dom .It is actually the largest building in Antarctica right now. Since it is that large, it also needs more support staff to take care of it. So, right now we have about 250 people at the station: we are at the max number. Thank you for the wishes and a Happy New Year to you and your students as well!!
Elke