Ukrainian Scientists Establish New Air Quality Measurement Devices in Antarctica and the World Ocean

The National Antarctic Scientific Center (NASC) has made a groundbreaking announcement regarding its environmental research endeavors, sharing on Facebook the successful installation of new air quality measurement devices in Antarctica and the World Ocean. This development is a testament to the dedication of Ukrainian scientists who are committed to providing precise monitoring of air pollution in one of the cleanest areas on Earth.

According to information from NASC, Antarctica has traditionally been regarded as a location with the purest air on the planet, characterized by extremely low levels of pollution. However, despite this reputation, scientists emphasize the importance of continuous monitoring of pollutant transfer from other continents, as this can significantly impact the ecological situation in the region.

In 2024, the first air quality analyzer from the IQAir network was installed at the Ukrainian station 'Vernadsky' in Antarctica. This device is capable of measuring the concentration of solid aerosol particles of various diameters present in the air. With this innovation, researchers will have the opportunity to assess air quality in this remote region more accurately.

In 2026, to calibrate the operation of the first analyzer, the manufacturer IQAir generously provided another identical device for the station. This addition will help avoid potential technical errors in measurements, as the Ukrainian station is currently the only place in the Antarctic region where such research is conducted.

The device was installed by ozone specialist Sergey Yakushchenko from the 31st expedition and meteorologist Alexander Nadtochiy from the seasonal team. Studies conducted using the new equipment have shown that pollution levels near the station are typically close to zero, confirming the status of the air in this region as one of the cleanest in the world.

However, scientists note that the number of aerosols in the atmosphere of Antarctica can vary due to natural factors such as volcanic eruptions and storms, as well as anthropogenic influences and climatic conditions, including humidity and wind presence. This underscores the necessity for continuous monitoring.

A significant amount of aerosols in the stratosphere can contribute to chemical reactions that destroy the ozone layer, which is yet another critical reason for conducting such research. This season, an air analyzer was also installed on the icebreaker 'Noosphere', which will expand the geographical scope of measurements.

Additionally, the icebreaker is equipped with an AirGradient device that measures pollution characteristics from PM2.5 particles, as well as gas concentrations of CO2, NOx, VOC, relative humidity, and temperature. According to research leader Gennady Milinevsky, these devices will allow for the measurement of aerosols over the ocean, where there is a lack of permanent measurement stations.

"Consequently, we have insufficient data to build models of aerosol pollution on the planet, which affects climate and weather. Therefore, measuring aerosols aboard a vessel navigating the oceans is crucial for supplementing this data," the scientist added.

The National Antarctic Scientific Center expressed gratitude to IQAir and its official representative in Ukraine, the 'Ecozen' project, for their support of the research. Thanks to these efforts, Ukrainian scientists will have the opportunity to continue monitoring air quality, which directly affects the quality of life for all living beings on the planet.

It is worth noting that recently, during a sea outing, the Ukrainian Antarctic expedition encountered several pairs of humpback whales resting, which also indicates the richness of marine fauna in this region.

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