OZONE MONITORING PROJECT AT "ARTIGAS"

Ozone depletion, first detected in the 1970’s and generally greater at higher
latitudes in winter and spring, has formed a “hole” that could be as big as the
U.S. area and as deep as 66% loss of total ozone. Ozone concentration and
Ultra-Violet B radiation (UV-B) are inversely related, where a decrease in
ozone concentrations usually results in an increase of UV-B reaching the earth
surface. This increase of UV-B radiation is totally harmful for the live beings
and for the climatic system.

As a result, the scientific international community, concerned about this
global phenomenon, has been doing many efforts on measuring, studying and
understanding the evolution of this layer.

From 1998, Uruguay cooperates with the World Ozone and Ultra Violet Data
Center, installing a Brewer MKII spectrophotometer at “Artigas” Uruguayan
Antarctic Scientific Base (62�11’'04’’''S - 58�54'’09''’’W, 17.2 meters over
MSL), adopting its geographical name “King George Island”, number 351.

This project is carried out by the cooperation of three Official Institutions
of Uruguay: Uruguayan Antarctic Institute (UAI), Ministry of Housing,
Territorial Regulation and Environment and the Uruguayan Air Force
Meteorological Service; being the first of the noted, the focal point for
national contact.

The Uruguayan Antarctic Ozone Project, inserted within a National Antarctic
Policy, consists on taking measurements of total ozone, UV-B radiation, and
umkehr (ozono profile), forecasting UV-B radiation (through a signed agreement
between the UAI and the Spain Meteorological Institute– Iza�a Atmospheric
Laboratory, economically supported by the Canarias Goverment), intercomparing
Brewer and satellite measurements, contributing with national, regional and
worldwide programs (exchanging data) and supporting scientific activities
developed within the Antarctic Treaty.