Remote sensing of Antarctic ozone depletion using GPS meteorology

The Antarctic ozone depletion has been characterized for the first time using global positioning system (GPS) meteorology through atmospheric precipitable water vapour (PWV). Based on observations conducted during 2009 at four selected stations in Antarctica, the PWV showed a few significant high peaks, and their variations agreed very well with the physical properties of the surface temperature. The relative humidity variation was relatively flat, and the pressure trend tended to decrease from August, lasting until spring, probably reflecting the warming air column and the influence of lower latitude air over the stations. Throughout the ozone depletion period, the PWV variability has been marked low compared to that of the total column ozone (TCO). This implies that more water vapour condenses in cold temperatures to form clouds that could annihilate ozone in the stratosphere. Based on a detailed comparison of PWV with TCO variation, we confirmed that the effect of GPS signals on the PWV variability during periods of ozone depletion was strongest in the troposphere compared to the stratosphere because of the polar vortex.