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 aim of the MAss LOst in wind fluX (MALOX) project is to better understand the phenomenon of snow transport over a coastal area characterized by strong winds. MALOX relies on a multi-disciplinary approach based on both in situ and remote sensing measurements. Satellite data (MODIS, CALIPSO) analysis will provide spatial and vertical extension of the transport phenomenon. In situ microphysical, thermodynamic, and radiative observations will be aimed at determining the surface and column integrated water content, and characterizing the wind flux at local scale during the summer. Observations will be carried out also during the winter period to observe stronger transport events and to create a complete dataset which will provide a qualitative estimate of the mass loss due to blowing snow sublimation through the difference between the water content measured at two sites along the main wind path on steep slopes, one upstream of the convergence zone of the katabatic flux (Larsen Glacier, LS, 74°57'S 161°46'E) and the other downstream, near the coast (Inexpressible Island, InS, 74°56’S 163°41’E).

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).

Monitoring of climate data in the area of the Concordia station, at Dome C, from the XXXIV Antarctic campaign using radiosonde system (RDS) DOMEC. The climate parameters monitored are: Height (gps position), Pressure, Temperature, Humidity, Velocity of wind, Direction of the wind. The data are obtained doing upper-air measurements. Data are collected every day at 12UTC, all year round. The DOMEC is active since 2006-01-19. 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).

Acquisition of metereological data, in the area of the Concordia station, from the XXXIV Antarctic campaign. The meteorological parameters monitored are: temperature, pressure, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, further data acquired are heated wind sensor Speed, heated wind sensor Direction, Sonic sensor. Standard surface measurements. The data are acquired through an automatic weather station 'Concordia' at Dome C (3 233 a.s.l.). This data collection is carry out every hour and every minute, all year round. Data are transmitted via the ARGOS satellite system throughout the year. It has been part of the historical data collection series since 2005 (XXcampaign: activation of Concordia station).

The Observatory main purpose is to contribute to the monitoring of global climate change monitoring standard meteorological parameters. The automatic weather station AWS Zoraida is located at Priestley Glacier (74° 10′ 36″ S - 162° 53′ 44″ E) at 880 m a.s.l., and has been installed on the 18 january 1987. It acquired, every hour, all year round, the meteorological vaiables of wind velocity, wind direction, temperature, pressure and relative humidity.

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 Rita is located at Enigma Lake (74° 43′ 30″ S - 164° 1′ 59″ E) at 268 m a.s.l., and has been installed on the 5 january 1993. It acquired, every hour, all year round, the meteorological vaiables of wind velocity, wind direction, temperature, pressure and relative humidity.

The Observatory main purpose is to contribute to the monitoring of global climate change monitoring standard meteorological parameters. The automatic weather station Alessandra is located in Cape King (73° 35′ 10″ S - 166° 37′ 16″ E) at 160 m of altitude, where has been installed on the 1st February 1987. It acquired, all year round, the meteorological variables of wind velocity, wind direction, temperature, pressure, relative humidity and solar radiation.

The Observatory main purpose is to contribute to the monitoring of global climate change monitoring standard meteorological parameters. The automatic weather station AWS Lola is located at th Sarao Point (74° 8′ 6″ S - 163° 25′ 50″ E) at 1920 m a.s.l., and has been installed on the 9 January 1991. It acquired, all year round, the meteorological variables of wind velocity, wind direction, temperature, pressure and relative humidity.