Laser Technology Aids Aerosol Research Near Invercargill Airport

A new atmospheric research project is underway at the MetService site near Invercargill Airport, utilizing advanced laser technology to study the impact of aerosols on the atmosphere. The project, known as goSouth-2, is a collaborative effort involving institutions from Germany and New Zealand. The German partners include the Meteorological Institute of the University of Leipzig and the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS), alongside MetService, the University of Canterbury, and The Air Quality Collective from New Zealand.

As part of the preparations for the project’s official launch on September 3, 2023, five staff members from TROPOS are currently establishing equipment at the site. The research aims to gather crucial data regarding how aerosols—tiny airborne particles—affect cloud formation and, ultimately, climate patterns.

Patric Seifert, a researcher from TROPOS, explained that aerosols enter the atmosphere from various sources both over land and sea. These particles include salt, dust, pollen, and those generated from smoke or volcanic activity. They play a vital role in cloud formation by serving as nuclei for cloud particles to attach to. Dr. Seifert stated, “The less aerosol particles are available, the less cloud particles can form, and vice-versa.”

Unique Research Environment

The southern tip of New Zealand, positioned at the northern edge of the Southern Ocean, provides a unique environment for studying the relationship between aerosols and clouds. According to Dr. Seifert, the atmosphere in this region can be remarkably clean when air masses move in from the Antarctic. In contrast, when air comes from the Australian continent, the atmospheric conditions differ significantly.

By examining the variations in aerosol content between these two air masses, researchers hope to gain insights into how clouds respond to changes in aerosol levels. Dr. Seifert noted that atmospheric and climate models have historically been less accurate in simulating clouds over the Southern Ocean compared to the northern hemisphere. Scientists believe that the disparity in aerosol levels between the two hemispheres may account for this difference in model performance, as the northern hemisphere contains more pollution data.

The choice of Invercargill as the research site was also influenced by its logistical advantages. MetService has already been conducting essential observations at the location, including long-term records of weather balloon soundings, precipitation measurements, and assessments of solar and thermal radiation.

Innovative Technology and Community Engagement

The research instruments employed in this project are primarily land-based. However, residents near Invercargill Airport may notice a green laser beam in the sky. Dr. Seifert explained that this laser is part of their lidar (light detection and ranging) systems, which emit laser pulses to investigate the presence of aerosols. Airport staff have been informed of the beam’s presence to ensure safety and awareness.

In addition to the lidar systems, researchers will utilize radar technology to detect and analyze clouds and precipitation. The TROPOS team will remain on-site for a total of 18 months, while a group of approximately 15 researchers will analyze the collected data in Germany.

This project follows the goSouth-1 study, a month-long initiative conducted in 2022 at Pahia, located about 50 kilometers from Invercargill. The findings from both studies are expected to contribute significantly to our understanding of atmospheric dynamics and cloud formation processes, thereby enhancing climate models and predictions.

Through this collaborative effort, scientists aim to bridge knowledge gaps regarding aerosols and their influence on weather patterns, ultimately benefiting climate research on a global scale.