Belarus’ HTP resident started monitoring atmospheric air quality in Antarctica
For the first time, a resident of the Belarus’ High-Tech Park (HTP), R-NOX LLC, has started monitoring the quality of atmospheric air in Antarctica, sb.by reports with reference to the HTP press service
As part of a joint project with the Republican Centre for Polar Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the professional gas and aerosol analyser AirNod set off with the Belarusian Antarctic expedition to the ice continent in the area of Mountain Vechernyaya.
“The air quality of Antarctica is assessed by means of R-NOX monitoring stations. <...> By the way, the AirNode has already been successfully operated in various global projects. Before being sent to Antarctica, specialists tested the device for use in extreme temperatures,” the HTP press service noted.
Reliable data on air quality at the South Pole will be collected and available from January 2024, and the first results will be announced at the global Antarctic research event: SCAR Open Science Conference 2024 in Chile.
“This long-term and ambitious project represents a significant step in air quality monitoring in Antarctica using compact stations and once again confirms the uniqueness of this equipment and its performance in harsh conditions,” the HTP press service added.
According to experts, the territory of Antarctica is extremely sensitive to climate change. Information about the content of various substances that affect the climate is important for assessing the level of pollution and its trends.
Measurements of surface concentrations of pollutants in East Antarctica, where the Belarusian station is located, have not been carried out before, the remote assessment methods were used. The data collected by AirNod will help progress in the study of Antarctic phenomena.
