AirNode provides first results of air quality monitoring in Antarctica
Air quality data from Antarctica has been shared for the first time following the successful deployment of the AirNode near-reference monitoring system at the research station in East Antarctica. These findings were presented at key international conferences, COMNAP (Argentina) and SCAR (Chile), both focusing on Antarctic research.
The presentation drew significant attention from the scientific community, as studying air quality in Antarctica provides valuable insights into pollution levels in one of the most pristine environments on Earth. Like anywhere else, it’s critical to evaluate the environmental impact of research station operations and construction in Antarctica. With minimal human activity in the region, air quality monitoring plays a vital role in preventing environmental harm.
The AirNode system, an advanced gas and aerosol analyzer, proved its reliability by functioning in extreme Antarctic conditions for nearly four months. During this time, the following average daily concentrations of pollutants were recorded:
Carbon monoxide (CO) — 91.75 µg/m³
Nitric oxide (NO) — 8.81 µg/m³
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) — 29.83 µg/m³
Ozone (O3) — 23.06 µg/m³
Particulate matter less than 10 microns (PM10) — 8.44 µg/m³
Particulate matter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) — 1.24 µg/m³
The PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations fit within the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines (50 µg/m³ for PM10 and 25 µg/m³ for PM2.5). However, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels, nearing 25 µg/m³, were surprisingly close to the recommended limits—an unexpected result for such a remote, relatively untouched region.
These findings underscore the importance of continuous air quality monitoring, as even limited human activities, such as operating research stations or tourism, can affect the Antarctic atmosphere.
The conferences placed special emphasis on ozone (O3) measurements. Antarctica has been a focal point for scientists due to the ozone hole, which has a direct impact on global climate and ecosystems. The AirNode system detected a strong correlation between ozone and carbon monoxide levels, providing a fresh angle for future research on these interactions.
Ozone monitoring is especially critical, as changes in its levels can lead to serious consequences, including increased ultraviolet radiation and shifts in climate patterns.
The “AirNode” system’s performance in Antarctica demonstrates that near-reference monitoring technology can operate effectively under harsh conditions, proving its potential for use in other extreme environments to help protect human health and monitor ecological impacts.
Following the success of this mission, the AirNode analyzer, equipped with a data transmission module, will be deployed again in the next Antarctic expedition. Continuing to supply valuable historical data to the international scientific community in order to analyze the state of environment in Antarctica.
R-NOX is setting new standards in air quality monitoring, combining cutting-edge technology with the ability to function in some of the most remote and challenging environments on the planet.
