WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION

UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME

POLAND

Essential role in promoting the ozone and UV-B monitoring and research activities play the State Inspectorate for Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Environmental Protection, Natural Resources and Forestry.

There are two main groups carrying on the ozone and UV-B monitoring and research activities.

INSTITUTE of METEOROLOGY and WATER MANAGEMENT - CENTRE of AEROLOGY

Monitoring

- Regular ozone soundings are performed at Legionowo (52.4°N, 21.0°E) upper -air station since 1979. Up to May 1993 the OSE ozonesondes with the METEORIT/MARZ radiosonde system were used. Since June 1993 the ECC5A ozonesondes with OMEGADigiCora/RS80 radiosonde system are in use.
- Since 1993, on the base of the NOAA/TOVS satellite data, total ozone maps over Poland and surroundings are operationally performed.
- Since July 1993 a UV-B network of broadband UV Biometers model SL 500, was being implemented at following stations: Leba - Baltic Coast, Legionowo - Centre of Poland, and Kasprowy Wierch 1989 m. asl. Tatra Mountains. In 1995 a Biometer was installed as well at Zakopane 857 m. asl.-Tatra Mountains.
- In 1995 surface ozone meters (Monitor Labs. ML9810) were installed at 3 EMEP stations: Leba - Baltic Coast, Jarczew- Centre of Poland, Sniezka - Sudety Mountains.

Research

- The analysis of homogeneous OSE ozonesonde series (January 1979 - May 1993) has shown large negative trends in the lower stratosphere (about - 1% per year), the highest in winter and spring months (about 1.7% per year). These trends are in agreement with those derived from other midlatitude ozonesonde stations and from SAGE satellite data.
- The analysis of stratospheric ozone deviations from long-term monthly averages in the years 1979 - 1995 shows significant frequency increase in the 1990s, highest in winter spring months in the lower stratosphere. Participation in SESAME project and the Match subprogramme afforded possibility to detail analysis of ozone depletion cases in the stratosphere observed over Poland during polar vortex displacements to European midlatitudes.
- Centre of Aerology joined in the Match programme 1995/96 and is planning to participate in the next phase1996/97. Serious ozone deficit cases in the stratosphere were observed in February and March 1996, connected with polar vortex displacements.
- Research on UV-B changes over the territory of Poland based on the UV- B network results and UV- B fields derived from satellite total ozone maps using model calculations is carried out.
- Studies on the influence of cloudiness and albedo on the measured surface UV-B doses are undertaken.
- The participation in the UVRAPPF programme in 1996-1998 will give a support to ozone/UV-B relationship studies over Poland and to planned UV- B forecast studies.

POLISH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES - INSTITUTE OF GEOPHYSICS

Monitoring
Measurements are carried out at the Belsk Observatory (51° 50' N. 20° 47'E). Since 1963 total ozone measurements and Umkehr series have been performed by means of the Dobson spectrophotometer. In 1991 Brewer spectrophotometer and the surface ozone meter (Monitor Labs, ML8810) were installed. The NO_x measurements with Monitor Labs, (ML8841) meter started in 1992.

Systematic measurements of ground level ultraviolet solar radiation (UV-B) with the Robertson-Berger meter have been carried out since 1975. In 1992 a UV Biometer SL501A was installed. Spectral distribution of UV radiation has also been monitored with the co-located Brewer spectrophotometer.

Total ozone and Umkehr profile series have been re-evaluated in 1983 and 1987 respectively.

Research

Research activities mainly focus on statistical analyses (trends) on local and global scale and methodology of ozone measurements. Impact of the total ozone and its vertical distribution changes on UV radiation level has been investigated. Factors influencing short and long term variations of UV radiation are studied.