It’s easy to assume that one of the few comforts enjoyed by scientists in Antarctica is breathing in the cleanest air on earth. Unmarred by cities, highways, mining, or agricultural or industrial activity, the continent is locked away under ice and snow. Only coastal penguin colonies and isolated research stations dot a starkly beautiful landscape.
But as Ukrainian researchers at Vernadsky Research Base on Galindez Island are finding through air quality technology, clean air isn’t always promised at the most remote destination on Earth.
A long-awaited expedition into science
Scientists who visit Antarctica are among the most knowledgeable in their field; the posting is an exceptionally rare opportunity. Serhii Yakushchenko had always wanted to travel – even to the furthest reaches of the earth – and was elated to be among the few stationed there.
“Since childhood, I have been an avid reader and dreamer. I was particularly fascinated by travel books and often imagined travelling the world.”
The meteorologist got his chance when he was selected for a recent expedition to Vernadsky. His time on the island left a lasting impression.
“Everyone who has worked there leaves part of themselves behind and takes part of Antarctica with them in their heart.”
“Everyone who has worked there leaves part of themselves behind and takes part of Antarctica with them in their heart.” Serhii said. “The landscapes are all mesmerizing, and it is fascinating to observe the ever-changing weather and surroundings.”
And of course, there is a job to do. “Working at the station is not just about the beauty and nature around it. Above all, it is a great responsibility and challenge for me as a scientist. It is an opportunity to contribute to Ukrainian science and represent it on the global stage.”
Part of the appeal was the incredibly changeable weather on Galindez Island. “During the day, you can see different conditions. It can be snowing, raining, then half of the day without any clouds, and then later, changing wind direction.”
Though the station doesn't have strong minus degree temperatures, clouds and strong winds are ever present.
“Wind is a bigger challenge for us. We had an all-year record for wind gusts at 42.5 meters per second, or152 kilometers per hour.”
Researching Antarctica’s air
Despite these challenging conditions, Vernadsky serves a critical hub for groundbreaking air quality monitoring research. Research at the station is driven by the need to understand the dynamics of air quality in one of the most remote and isolated regions on Earth. And by deploying air quality monitoring technology, researchers seek to uncover the nuances of Antarctic air.
Ukrainian researchers like Serhii study the seasonal behavior of particulate matter (PM) in the maritime Antarctic Peninsula. There, he collected air quality data using a Microtops AOD (Aerosol Optical Depth)/AE (Angstrom Exponent) device – but the handheld Microtops has its limitations.
“We can use them just when the weather is very good, without any clouds,” Serhii said. “We need direct sunlight to use Microtops devices.”
During Serhii’s expedition, there were 286 cloudy days at the station.
To overcome this hurdle and further research, an AirVisual Outdoor air quality monitor was installed by Professor Gennadi Milinevsky at the station in 2024. Air quality data collected from the monitor was compared to the aerosol optical thickness and the Angstrom exponent (how the optical thickness of an aerosol typically depends on the wavelength of the light) values collected by the Microtops device.
The result? A clearer picture of the influence of wind, temperature, and sea ice on particulate matter concentration, as well as the impact of aerosols on the quality of total ozone measurements.
Serhii noted that further comparisons will be made with aerosol measurements taken at the Czech station Mendel located on the other side of the peninsula.
Air quality uncovered, inside and out
An AirVisual Pro Indoor Monitor was also installed in the meteorology office – an important line of defense in maintaining the expedition’s health. Given the need to insulate against extreme weather conditions, it helped the team know when fresh air was needed due to a build-up of indoor air pollutants.
Given the more stable indoor environment, it also served as a useful source of baseline comparison with the outdoor air quality monitor, providing a holistic and comprehensive perspective on air quality at that location.
Technical challenges
Antarctica is profoundly cut off from most of humanity; the nearest city is Ushuaia, Argentina, about 620 miles away. This isolation provides a unique environment and opportunity for climate and meteorological research.
It also means there are unique challenges to overcome, including those that could hamper gathering reliable air quality data. The harsh Antarctic weather, characterized by freezing temperatures, strong winds, and heavy snowfall, demands robust and resilient technology capable of withstanding such extreme conditions.
“In general, the devices were easy to install and calibrate, both indoors and outdoors.” Serhii explained. “The 15-meter cable was long enough to position the outdoor monitor correctly. The instructions were clear and easy to understand.”
The devices were easy to install and calibrate, both indoors and outdoors,” Serhii explained. “The instructions were clear and easy to understand.”
However, Antarctica’s isolation means that internet connectivity can be both limited and unpredictable. Researchers often rely on satellite communication systems, which can be disrupted by severe weather conditions. Ensuring continuous and accurate data transmission from the AirVisual Outdoor monitor required innovative solutions and constant vigilance.
The team at Vernadsky developed strategies to overcome any connectivity issues. including redirecting the indoor monitor to a strong WiFi point and occasional manual equipment restarts. With those issues addressed, the station continually publishes data air quality to the AirVisual platform despite the extreme environment.
Air quality findings revealed
The AirVisual monitor deployment at the base has yielded some fascinating air quality findings.
A surprising area of research: the impact of a huge penguin colony of over 6,000 birds on the island’s local air quality.
“There’s a lot of research into the impact of the growing penguin colony, their impact on air quality, and how penguin excrement can create more clouds,” Serhii explained.
Penguin guano, or waste, releases ammonia and other compounds into the atmosphere, which can contribute to particulate matter levels and create help form more clouds in an already cloudy environment. Since penguins are commonly found on the Antarctic coast – where most of research stations are also located – it’s an opportunity to learn more about how animals influence this otherwise mostly uninhabited environment.
Other potential sources of poor air quality are the diesel generators used for powering the research station. Emissions from these generators can vary with weather conditions, particularly wind direction and speed, which disperse or concentrate pollutants around the base.
Future air quality research
Air quality research doesn’t end with Serhii’s season in Antarctica. He fully trained and prepared his successor to carry on monitoring at the station – though he is also looking forward to returning in future. Continuously updated, real-time data is essential for the full air quality picture and understanding of conditions.
As the Ukrainian research team knows, air quality monitoring at Vernadsky Research Base sets the table for better understanding of Antarctic atmospheric conditions. Data collected from the AirVisual Outdoor could contribute to studies to understand and mitigate the impacts of air pollution in Antarctica and to see how climate change and other environmental influences are impacting the world.
The takeaway
Antarctica's Vernadsky Research Base pioneering research, led by dedicated Ukrainian scientists like Serhii and supported by AirVisual air quality monitors, sheds a vital spotlight on air quality even in the most remote corners of the world. This air quality research challenges perceptions of pristine environments and demonstrates the intricate interactions between natural and human-induced factors affecting air quality. As the project moves forward, it may deepen the scientific community’s understanding of global atmospheric conditions and help pave the way for future air quality research in Antarctica.
