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.

The Observatory main purpose is to contribute to the monitoring of global climate change monitoring standard meteorological parameters. The automatic weather station AWS Giulia is located at Mid Point (75° 32′ 10″ S - 145° 51′ 32″ E) at 2510 m of altitude, and has been installed on the 14 novembre 1998. It acquired, all year round, the meteorological vaiables of wind velocity, wind direction, temperature, pressure, relative humidity and snow height (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 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.

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 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 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).

Installation of two radiometers with interference filters (F_RAD) operating in the spectral region from 296 nm to 400 nm. The purpose is to measure the global solar irradiance at the values ​​of the wavelengths where the filters are centered and from these derive the spectral irradiance with a resolution of 0.5 nm. The radiometers are currently positioned in the Antarctic stations of Mario Zucchelli and DomeC Concordia and operate permanently throughout the year. Measurements of absorbance of polysulphone dosimeters before and after exposure to UV solar radiation by laboratory spectrophotometer, data analysis, determination of the UV dose response curve vs absorbance variation and comparison of the results detected in the two sites. It can be used for the measurement of solar UV irradiance for research on the climate and the physics of the atmosphere.

The project is focused on the acquisition of data using the MZS_FRAD2008-02 interference filter radiometer, installed in November 2009 at Mario Zucchelli station, on the roof of the building OASI (74°41.6059' S 164°05.9423' E). The radiometer is active all year round and measures the global solar irradiance (watt / m2nm) at the values ​​of 9 different wavelengths (about one spectrum per minute), where the filters are centered, and obtained from these the measure of the spectral irradiance with a resolution of 0.5 nm. The data is transferred to Italy on a daily basis via an Ethernet link. Data are acquired in the summer station of MZS from November 2009 to May 2013.

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.

This research addressed a feasibility study for a remote monitoring system based on acoustic tomography to be used in antarctic regions. The analysis of data collected during PNRA oceanographic campaigns provided the environmental scenarios and the oceanographic processes to be successfully monitored by means of acoustic tomography and the appropriate information and data to initialize the tomographic processor. The case studies regarded High Salinity Shelf Water formation process in Terra Nova Bay polynya. The simplified but realistic environmental scenario considered a 1000 m deep area with a flat bottom. The dense water formation area was defined by a strong vertical salinity gradient in the surface, while in the areas outside, temperature and salinity were considered constant in depth leading to an almost linear increasing sound speed profile. At this stage of study, the possible presence of ice layer covering the area is not expected to have any significant effect on the propagation prediction, so it was not considered. Simulations were carried out with a beam model (Bellhop) which is well suited for active sonar modelling and ocean acoustic tomography in a range dependent environment. Each simulation involves the use of an acoustic source and a receiving station (tomographic pair) consisting of a vertical array of hydrophones. By measuring the travel time relative to different scenarios, the analysis aimed at understanding if the detection of the oceanographic phenomenon is feasible. In particular, the study aimed at determining the best compromise between acoustic frequencies, sensors number and geometrical configuration, in order to achieve the desired spatial-temporal resolution useful to detect the presence of dense water masses. An acoustic system configuration consisting of an acoustic source transmitting a pulse with a carrier frequency of 10 kHz, and of a receiving array made of 6 hydrophones resulted to be appropriate, while the minimum size of detectable Dense Water Mass is 0.5 km. In particular, the conducted sensitivity study evidences that the measure of travel time of acoustic rays can be successfully exploited to detect the presence of a dense water mass in a polynya area Acoustic tomography thus provides “images” of wide areas in the inner ocean for long periods and with an high temporal resolution; in addition it permits to reconstruct the sound speed field even in the upper layers where direct measurements cannot be performed as instruments are at risk of damage. It can then be consider a powerful mean of observation that well integrates conventional in situ measurements. Preliminar investigation on the applicability of this methodology in Terranova Bay polynya demonstrated that it is able to resolve the vertical structure of water column with a good precision.