On the transport of trace elements into Antarctica using measurements at the Georg-von-Neumayer station

Origin and transport of ²²²Rn, surface ozone, and sea salt measured at the German Antarctic research station Georg-von-Neumayer (G_vN) (70°37’S, 8°22’W, 36 m) were investigated together with local meteorological observations and calculated 2-dimensional trajectories. Daily trajectories computed for the years 1984-1989 at 500, 850, and 925 hPa levels are presented and grouped according to different flow sectors at GvN. An analysis of these trajectories indicates that at 500 hPa, westerly flow patterns occur for 70% of the time, more in winter than in summer, with an average velocity of 11 ms^-1. Easterly flow occurs less frequently (30%) and is weaker (8 ms^-1). Nearly 92% of all trajectories calculated at the 850 hPa level and 97% on the 925 hPa surface indicate easterly flows due to orographic effects of the Antarctic continent. In addition, time series of trace elements measured at GvN were analysed together with local meteorological data and the trajectories to find the source regions of the trace elements. Primary results are that periods with high radon-222 concentrations are mostly connected to cyclones approaching from the South American continent. Most of the maxima of surface ozone and sea salt are also well correlated with cyclonic activities near the Antarctic continent. Furthermore, it is found that the seasonal cycle of trace elements is mostly determined by the annual variation of different trajectory groups.