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WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION |
UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME |
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Weather Bureau (Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism)
The first South African ozone measurements were made during 1964 until 1972 with Dobson #089 operating from Pretoria. Due to unfortunate circumstances, Dobson #089 fell into disuse and measurements at Pretoria were only resumed in 1989. Total ozone and Umkehr measurements are done daily and quality data are bimonthly sent to the World Ozone Data Centre (WODC) in Canada. During 1995 with the inception of Dobson #132 operating from Springbok (on the west coast of South Africa) the ground based monitoring efforts were greatly enhanced. Revived operators training and an increase in routine observation ensures that the two Dobson stations in South Africa contribute valuable support to the world ground based ozone monitoring network.
An ozonesonde program involving weekly ECC-ozonesonde ascents were carried out since August 1991. However, due to increasing instrument costs, and financial constraints the Weather Bureau hat to terminate this programme during August 1993 The ground station equipment for two ozonesonde stations is retained in the event that the programme might be revived in future.
Cooperating with the Medical University of South Africa (MEDUNSA) the Weather Bureau operates a four-station network of Solar Light UV-B Biometers. Daily information on the UV-B sun exposures are provided to the media. Research efforts are underway to forecast UV-B sun exposures. In addition to the biometer network the two Dobson stations are earmarked to include "narrow band" UV-B measurements in an effort to relate ozone and UV-B influences.
The research efforts of the Weather Bureau are limited, but based mostly on its own data and monitoring efforts.
Atmospheric Research Group (ARG) from the University of Natal
The Group from Natal is the most prestigious ozone research group in southern Africa. Research thrusts from the University of Natal include:
1) understanding of dynamics of injection of ozone from the stratosphere to the troposphere in association with deep low pressure systems such as cut off lows (COLs).
2) transport of ozone and contribution of biomass burning to the ozone maximum off the east coast of southern Africa.
3) long term trend in total column ozone, modelling the effects of tropospheric ozone changes on climate, particularly in South Africa.
4) various aspects on UV-B and ozone relationships including aspects such as: solar UV light and DNA damages, UV radiation and skin burn times, biomonitoring of ozone and the effects on vegetation, etc.
5) Continuous measurements of the following parameters are undertaken at Durban:
EMATEC (CSIR) Earth, Marine and Atmospheric Science and Technology
GAW station - Cape Point
Work on surface ozone, UV and related issues are being conducted at Cape Point. This is part of South Africa's contribution towards the WMO's Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) Program to monitor long-term changes in environmentally important parameters, including trace gas species. The Cape Point station, which is jointly managed by CSIR Pretoria and by the Fraunhofer Institute for Atmospheric Environmental Research (IFU) in Garmisch, Germany has been in operation since the late 1970s. A new laboratory building was commissioned towards the end of 1994, and the station was officially recognized by WMO as a GAW station in January 1995. Over the past fifteen years, research on ozone and related issues at Cape Point has been devoted to measurements within the troposphere. Emphasis has been placed on the measurement of:
1) surface ozone
2) gases, which lead to stratospheric ozone depletion such as: CFC13, CC12F2,
CC12F-CCIF2, CH3CC13, CC14 and N20.
3) ozone precursor gases in the troposphere such as CO.
4) UV-A and UV-B
5) Be7 as a tracer of stratospheric air entering the troposphere.
Surface ozone data (1983 until present) have been investigated primarily in terms of long-term trends (none discernible as yet) and annual cycles. Ozone/CO ratios have also been studied to throw light on seasonally related ozone production processes. Secular trends of CFCs have provided interesting information on growth-rate reductions after the successful implementation of the Montreal Protocol. Measurements of UV-B have only been started recently (beginning of 1994) and are being conducted within the larger framework of UV-B measurements in South Africa (Weather Bureau's Network).
ESCOM (Electricity Supply Commission)
The division Technology Research & Investigations are actively involved in various projects relating to surface ozone monitoring and pollution research. Surface ozone monitoring sites have been established, and research initiatives involving various national role players are supported.
National Botanical Institute (Stress Ecology Research Unit)
Two projects, initiated in April 1991 and December 1992 following international peer review, are currently active in the Stress Ecology Unit of the National Botanical Institute. Brief descriptions are as follows:
1) Effects of anticipated increases in solar ultraviolet-B flux on the growth, physiology and reproductive performance of South African taxa of semi-
arid and arid-environments.
2) Effects of combined increases in solar ultraviolet-B flux and atmospheric
C02 on photosynthesis, growth and reproduction of representative
indigenous plant species.
Department National Health and Population Development (Health Technology)
Activities involving modelling and mapping South African solar ultraviolet climatology, spectroradiometric measurements, and calibration of ultraviolet- B emitting lamp systems.
South Africa and International Links
All South African Institutes are involved with related international organizations. The main international role players are:
-WMO; AES & WODC -Canada; NOAA -Boulder, USA; NASA -Goddard, USA; NIWA - Lauder, New Zealand; University of Reunion, Reunion; Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Fraunhofer Institute, Garmisch, Germany; CSIRO - Australia; Max- PlanckInstitute, Mains, Germany; Solar and Ozone Observatory, Czech Republic.
Future Plans
Most South African institutes are committed to expand current monitoring networks and research efforts, also to enhance collaborative activities in the southern African region. Tropospheric ozone and UV activities are effected to gain more momentum.
Further Information
For further information, please contact Mr. G Coetzee, South African Weather Bureau, Private Bag X097, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa, Fax: +27 12 290 ( 2937 or 3031 ), Email: coetzee@cirrus.sawb.gov.za
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