SHARE (Stations at High Altitude for Research on the Environment) Network

The Nepal Climate Observatory - Pyramid (NCO-P, 27.95 N, 86.82 E; 5079 m a.s.l.) is located in the southern Himalayan region at the confluence of the secondary valley of Lobuche (oriented NNW-SSE) and the main Khumbu Valley. The station was placed not far from the Pyramid International Laboratory/Observatory and in proximity of the Mt. Everest base camp. All the instrumentation is housed in a wood and aluminium shelter consisting of two rooms, one for the instruments and a smaller one where batteries for the power supply are stored. The power needed to carry out the experimental activity (~ 3 kW) is provided by 96 photovoltaic panels with 120 electric storage cells. Through the aluminium roof, four sampling lines allow the sampling of gases and aerosol particles.
In July 2010 the NCO-P was upgraded to GAW Global Station.In the framework of the UNEP ABC and Ev-K2.CNR SHARE projects since March 2006 high quality continuous measurements of trace gases, aerosol and meteorological parameters have been conducted. The station has been installed with the aim to promote continuous scientific observations in key high-mountain regions able to contribute to knowledge on regional and global climate change.
Specific aims of the measurements conducted at this station are:
- to obtain a chemical climatology of aerosol properties (optical, chemical and physical) at an high elevation site in Himalayas;
- to evaluate temporal trends of aerosol composition as a function of sources/transport;
- to evaluate the variations of radiative forcing produced by aerosols;
- to study the background ozone behavior and evaluate the contributions of stratospheric ozone intrusions as well as long range and regional transport of polluted air masses;
- to monitor the concentration trends of major Halocarbons and greenhouse gases.