Research Project Launches Laser Study of Aerosols in New Zealand

A groundbreaking research initiative has commenced in New Zealand, utilizing a laser beam to study the impact of aerosols on the atmosphere. The project, known as goSouth-2, is a collaboration between German and New Zealand institutions, specifically at the MetService site near Invercargill Airport. The research aims to enhance understanding of how tiny airborne particles affect cloud formation and atmospheric conditions.

The goSouth-2 project officially launches on September 3, 2023, with teams from the Meteorological Institute of the University of Leipzig and the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) collaborating alongside New Zealand’s MetService, University of Canterbury, and The Air Quality Collective. Currently, five researchers from TROPOS are setting up necessary equipment at the site to facilitate data collection.

According to Dr. Patric Seifert of TROPOS, aerosols—minute particles found in the air—originate from various sources, including sea salt, dust, pollen, and emissions from smoke or volcanic activity. These particles play a crucial role in cloud formation, serving as nuclei for cloud droplets. Dr. Seifert explained, “The less aerosol particles are available, the less cloud particles can form, and vice-versa.”

Unique Research Location

The southern tip of New Zealand, situated at the northern edge of the Southern Ocean, presents a unique environment for studying the interactions between aerosols and clouds. Dr. Seifert noted that the region can experience very clean air when influenced by Antarctic air masses, contrasting sharply with the more polluted continental air masses that arrive from Australia. Understanding these variations in aerosol content will aid researchers in assessing how clouds respond to differing aerosol levels.

Dr. Seifert pointed out that atmospheric and climate models have traditionally struggled to accurately simulate cloud behavior over the Southern Ocean compared to the northern hemisphere. The disparity in aerosol levels between the hemispheres may contribute to this challenge. Enhanced data collection in the Southern Hemisphere is essential, as there is significantly more information available regarding the atmospheric conditions of the northern hemisphere.

Invercargill has been identified as an ideal research location due to the logistical support available for operating the equipment and accommodating the staff involved in the project. MetService has already established a robust observational framework at the site, which includes long-term records of weather balloon soundings and precipitation measurements.

Innovative Technology in Use

Residents in the Invercargill area may notice a visible green laser beam emanating from the research site. This beam is part of the lidar (light detection and ranging) systems employed by the researchers to investigate aerosol presence in the atmosphere. The fixed laser beam has been coordinated with airport staff to ensure safety and awareness.

In addition to lidar technology, radar systems will be employed to detect and analyze cloud formations and precipitation patterns. The TROPOS team will remain on-site for 18 months, while a separate group of around 15 researchers will focus on data analysis back in Germany.

This research project follows the success of the goSouth-1 study conducted in 2022, which took place over a month at Pahia, approximately 50 kilometers from Invercargill. The findings from goSouth-2 are anticipated to contribute significantly to the understanding of atmospheric dynamics and enhance global climate models.