The project aims to carry out a climatological analysis of the dynamics and structure of the Antarctic polar stratospheric vortex over the last decade 1993-2003 and its relationship with the 'Ozone (O3) hole' phenomenon. In particular will be evaluated all the data from the ground by LIDAR, gained by balloon and by satellite, a high resolution transport model and a GCM model will be used for the climatic characterization of the dynamics of the vortex and its interactions with the polar troposphere and mid-latitudes, and finally a climatology of aerosols and PSCs will be analyzed during the polar winter.

Collection of 451 temperature profiles with XBT and 35 profiles of temperature and salinity with XCTD probes in the Drake Strait, the Weddell Sea and between the northern tip of the Antarctica Paeninsula and the Orcadas Islands, to study of the variability of the Mixed Layer and the estimate of the heat content on the first 700 m of the water column, and the large scale representation of the surace and subsurface structure of the ACC. Three oceanographic cruises were performed on board of the Argentinean ice breaker “Almirante Irizar” in the three austral winters 2004-2005, 2005-2006 e 2006-2007. Data are acquired from the 7th of february and the sond were launched with a resolution of 20' of latitude to 70° ad 15' for higher latitudes, to better define the thermal southern front.

The Ice-ClimaLizer research investigates the role of two Antarctic bioconstructional and bioindicator organisms (bryozoan and coralline algae), responsible of promoting marine biodiversity, as proxies of environmental conditions (temperature, light intensity, pressure, oxygen, conductibility and pH). An experimental laboratory has been placed in Tethys Bay (Ross Sea) at 25.5 m deep. The project will compare 1 year of environmental data obtained via continuous recording (every hour) by CTD probe with reconstructed data obtained via geochemical proxies of skeletons/thalli of the investigated species. Data are collected from November 2018 to November 2019.

Since 1998, ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technology, Energy and the Environment) has been carrying on researches to develop a plant based greenhouse facility for producing plant fresh food at the Italian bases of TNB (Terra Nova Bay) and Dome C (Concordia base) in Antarctica. Accordingly, at the base TNB “Mario Zucchelli” was installed a sustainable closed greenhouse facility PULSA (Plant-based Unit for Life Support in Antarctica). PULSA has been in operation during four campaigns in Antarctica. 1) A complete automatic hydroponics system for plant cultivation in artificial environmental (C.H.G.S., Closed Hydroponic Greenhouse System); 2. A closed module PULSA Unit. A prototype greenhouse module has been conceived and designed as a transportable unit made of a standard container, dimensions of 6055 (l)*2435(w)*2585(h) mm. The installed microclimate conditioning unit included an air heater of about 6.0 kW which can also act as inside air cooling as well as dehumidifier for removing the internal humidity (up to 2.5 kg/h of water) by forcing the air into a drying service. An air ventilation device composed of two fans each of 400 W and air capacity exchanging of 1200 m3/h was also installed to keep necessary air exchange and CO2 concentration. 3) A treating and recycling wastes unit for the purification of water and for the recycling of residual biomass wastes from the hydroponic cycles, 4) A complete automated and remote-controlling system for the germination and the production of the plantlets (Box-Nursery); 5) A simulator for the growth and the yield production of lettuce (SLS) in function of the temperature and the light applied to the crops. Other prototypes still under developing are: a) the multilevel hydroponics design; b) the solar photovoltaic system of 1.1 kWp, to optimize the yield and the autonomy of the enclosed growing volume using artificial and/or Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) as light sources for plant crop growth. Considerations and comments are reported on the on-going challenge to use PULSA as scientific platform for implementing activities of research and demonstration on plant growth technologies for Space.

The radiosonde MSZ (Mario Zucchelli Station) monitors different atmospheric parameters along the vertical profile. The RDS is located at Mario Zucchelli Station. The climate parameters monitored are: Height (gps position), Pressure, Temperature, Humidity, Velocity of wind, Direction of the wind. The MSZ is active since 15/01/1987. Data are acquired only during the opening season of the Zucchelli station. Daily radiosonde launches (00:00 and 12:00 UTC). During the period from 16 November to the end of the campaign, the radio-sonde of 06 UTC was included as part of the intensive measures campaign of the YOPP project. The RDS (VAISALA RS92) is launched into the atmosphere coupled to a balloon inflated with helium. The sonde rises with a speed of about 2-5 m / s up to a height of between 20 and 25 km. During the ascent all the parameters are acquired. The data obtained are coded both in a digital format (BUFR) and in text format and entered into the global network (GTS) of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

The Observatory main purpose is to contribute to the monitoring of global climate change monitoring standard meteorological parameters. The automatic weather station AWS Sofiab is located at David Glacier (75° 36′ 42″ S - 158° 35′ 26″ E) at 1552 m a.s.l., and has been installed on the 28 november 2002. It acquired, every hour, all year round, the meteorological vaiables of wind velocity, wind direction, temperature, pressure and relative humidity.

Purpose: The project aims to study the super-cold currents of the Ross Sea by combining the performance of the SARA Submarine Robot with the navigation support provided by the RAS land vehicle, used in parallel cruises under and above the ice, respectively. Year 2005 In Antarctica: no activities. In Italy: completion of activities planned in PEA 2003. Preparation of a test campaign of the systems developed for SARA; installation of a CTD sensor on board; evaluation of the performance of the navigation system, measurement of the effective usability of an acoustic communication channel.

The Observatory main purpose is to contribute to the monitoring of global climate change. Standard meteorological parameters are monitored and additional data are obtained by measures of snow transport and accumulation in localities of scientific interest.The monitoring network consists of 16 automatic weather stations (AWS) operating all the year, round.They are setted in the area between 'Mario Zucchelli Station' (MZS, 74 ° 41 ‘S - 164° 05’ E), the French-Italian 'Concordia' base (DC, 75 ° S, 123 ° E) on the Antarctic Plateau and the French base Dumont’Urville (DDU, 66 ° 40’S - 140 ° 01’E) towards Wilkes Land. At OASI laboratories a laser rain gauge, an all sky camera and a Micro-Rain-Radar were maintained and left working during winter season. In OASI surroundings were installed a new ceilometer (VAISALA CL51) for cloud base measurement up to 15 km and a Total Rain weighing Sensor TRwS for snow precipitations.

In the frame of YOPP WMO Project, during the Special Observing Period lasting from 16th November 2018 to 15th February 2019, in Concordia and Mario Zucchelli stations daily soundings were executed regularly in DOMEC at 00:00 and 12:00 UTC, and in MSZ another sounding was done at 06:00 UTC and 18:00 UTC. The atmospheric parameters along the vertical profile (upper-air mesaurements) monitored are: height (gps position), pressure, temperature, humidity, velocity of wind, direction of the wind. The RDS (VAISALA RS92) is launched into the atmosphere coupled to a balloon inflated with helium. The sonde rises with a speed of about 2-5 m / s up to a height of between 20 and 25 km. During the ascent all the parameters are acquired. The data obtained are coded both in a digital format (BUFR) and in text format and entered into the global network (GTS) of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).