Keith Rodgers sampling air

Antarctica NZ Data

Image Number86-443

About

DescriptionKeith Rodgers sampling air.DepictsKeith RogersPhotographerLinda HarrisonSeason1985-1986Date Taken1985-1986 SeasonOriginalFilmNo. People1

Reference

KeywordFlagsDuplicateTaxonomy (OLD)Science|Meteorology|NotesFurther samples of air were collected for trace gas analysis by Dr Tom Clarkson and technician Keith Rodgers of the Meteorological Service in Wellington. This was an extension of the work begun as a pilot study last season to determine the presence of man-made gasses ? fluorocarbons and hydrocarbons ? in the Antarctic atmosphere. It is part of a project to increase the understanding of global climate. Crucial to the study is the building up of an atmospheric profile which involves collection of samples from varying heights. Using a pump powered from the helicopter air is sucked into stainless steel canisters through a tube attached to the helicopters kid. In the laboratory the air is injected into gas chromatograph and the gases separated. Eight flights were made in December and January; two up to 15|000 ft.| on each of which nine samples were collected and six to between 8 and 10|000 ft. on which an average of seven samples were collected making a total of 60.The scientists| were looking particularly for Freon 12| a fluorocarbon used in aerosol cans and as a refrigerant. Preliminary investigations undertaken with newly installed equipment at the Scott Base laboratory indicated an approximate 5 percent increase| since last year| in fluorocarbons which is in keeping with global trends. Other samples brought to New Zealand will be further analysed for fluorocarbons and also for the presence of hydrocarbons. This latter part of the study is believed to be the first of its kind in Antarctica.

Linked To

Photographer

Linda Harrison

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 New Zealand License

This licence allows you to download this work and share it with others as long as you mention us and link back to us, but you cannot change it in any way or use it commercially.

Edit Edit +-Close

Editing is temporarily disabled

Cancel Edit