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.

The Observatory main purpose is to contribute to the monitoring of global climate change monitoring standard meteorological parameters. The automatic weather station AWS penguin is located at Edmonson Point (74° 20′ 0″ S - 165° 8′ 0″ E) at 30 m of altitude, and has been installed 3 December 1998. It acquired every 10 minutes, only during the opening season of the activities in MSZ station, the meteorological variables of wind velocity, wind direction, temperature, pressure, relative humidity and solar radiation.

Systematic meteorological observations on the ground and at high altitudes have been carried out in the Mario Zucchelli station (MZS) and Terra Vittoria (TV) since 1987. To date, 15 automatic meteorological stations (AWS) are in operation all year round and, only in summer, a radio sound system, a celiometer for measuring the base of the clouds, a "sky camera" and a rain gauge. Some AWS, besides the standard parameters (temperature, pressure, relative humidity, wind intensity and direction) integrate sensors for radiation overall, the accumulation of snow. Most AWS transmit data in real time via radio modem or iridium to MZS during the summer, and throughout the year via the Argos satellite system. In addition to the scientific community, the data are used for local forecasts and for the planning of flight activities. The transmission of meteorological messages on the international WMO-GTS circuit allows their assimilation into the models, contributing to the improvement of their performances. The acquired data contribute to the Basic Synoptic Network (WMO) and to the SCAR database (Met-READER). This proposal intends to continue data collection for the historical series (up to 28 years of data), for weather-climatic monitoring and as support for scientific and operational activities.

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 Paola is located at Talos Dome (72° 49′ 45″ S - 159° 11′ 36″ E) at 2370 m a.s.l., and has been installed on the 26 january 2003. It acquired, every hour, all year round, the meteorological vaiables of wind velocity, wind direction, temperature, pressure and relative humidity, plus snow height acquired as daily averages.

The Observatory main purpose is to contribute to the monitoring of global climate change monitoring standard meteorological parameters. The automatic weather station AWS Eneide is located at Mario Zucchelli Station in Terra Nova Bay (74° 41′ 45″ S - 164° 5′ 32″ E) at 91 m of altitude, and has been installed on the 7 January 1987. The meteorological parameters monitored are: temperature, pressure, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, and solar radiation. Standard surface measurements. This data collection is carry out every hour and every minute, only during the season of opening station.

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.

Systematic meteorological observations on the ground and at altitude have been carried out in Concordia station since 2005. Currently, an automatic weather station (AWS Concordia) and a radiosonde system (DomeC) operate continuously all year round. In addition to the standard parameters (temperature, pressure, relative humidity, wind intensity and direction), the AWS integrates an additional sensor (sonic) for measuring the wind. AWS data are transmitted in real time via radio modem and via the Argos system for local storage and display on the intranet and base station. The meteorological data of the AWS and the radiosonde, as well as by the scientific community, are used for local forecasts and for the planning of flight. The transmission of meteorological messages on the international WMO-GTS circuit allows their assimilation into the models, contributing to the improvement of their performances. The acquired meteorological data contribute to the Basic Synoptic Network (WMO) and to the SCAR database (Met-READER). This proposal intends to continue the collection of data for the historical series, for weather-climatic monitoring and to support scientific and operational activities taking place at the base.

The project aims to determine the mass balance components in the Dome C drainage area and to study and monitor local glaciers in Victoria Land. The goal is to define the mass balance of the ice cap through the analysis of its altimetric variation with satellite systems and through the determination of the values of the positive (snow accumulation) and negative (flow of glaciers to the anchor line) components of the balance mass. Trought the study of the snow cores (collected as part of the ITASE project (XVII/XVIII expedition)), was determined the annual stratigraphy and evaluated the snow accumulation, the isotopic temperature and the chemical composition of the snow cores. Moreover analysis of geophysical data (GPR, GPS, RES, spectroradiometry) and remote sensing data were carried out for the study of the variability of snow accumulation, of the dynamics of the ice cap and of the flow of glaciers to the anchor line.

The Observatory main purpose is to contribute to the monitoring of global climate change monitoring standard meteorological parameters. The automatic weather station AWS Sofia is located at Nansen ice sheet (74° 49′ 0″ S - 163° 14′ 0″ E) at 40 m a.s.l., and has been installed on the 11 november 1987, and has been removed 1 november 2002. It acquired, all year round, the meteorological variables of wind velocity, wind direction, temperature, pressure and relative humidit.