What question did this study set out to answer?

To measure black carbon concentrations in Antarctica and understand its transport processes and impact on climate.

April 1, 2026Open Access

Long-term measurements of black carbon concentrations at Syowa Station, Antarctica

Key Points

To measure black carbon concentrations in Antarctica and understand its transport processes and impact on climate.
Long-term continuous black carbon measurements at Syowa Station, Antarctica
Used an aethalometer since 2005 and a multi-angle absorption photometer since 2016
Filtered data to exclude locally contaminated measurements
Black carbon concentrations were successfully measured over the long term
Identified the influence of black carbon on the albedo of Antarctic snow surfaces
Provided insights into the long-range transport of atmospheric black carbon to Antarctica

Abstract

Black carbon (BC), with strong optical absorption, is emitted to the atmosphere from natural and anthropogenic combustion processes. After BC deposition onto snow surfaces, BC can alter the Earth’s surface albedo, which is related closely to climate effects in polar regions. However, the BC source strength is slight or negligible in Antarctic regions. Therefore, BC is useful as a tracer for long-range transport from low latitudes and mid-latitudes into Antarctic regions. Continuous BC measurements have been taken at Syowa Station, Antarctica, with an aethalometer since 2005 and with a multi-angle absorption photometer (MAAP) since 2016 to elucidate transport processes of atmospheric substances to the Antarctic and to assess climate effects. Daily mean BC data after the screening of locally contaminated data are provided herein.

Long-term measurements of black carbon concentrations at Syowa Station, Antarctica

Key Points

Abstract

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider