Monitoring of Total Ozone
Most of the atmospheric ozone (about 90 %) is found in the stratosphere in heights between 15 and 55 km. With a seasonal and meridional dependence, its maximum can vary between 20 and 25 km. The ability of ozone to absorb UV radiation is an essential protection for biological processes of life on Earth. Just small changes in the solar spectrum can have huge effects. Considering the strong depletion of the ozone layer, the precise long-term monitoring of stratospheric ozone is of great importance. The long-term measurement data of total ozone at Hoher Sonnblick contributes substantially to our present understanding of the ozone layer over Austria and helps us to better understand future changes. The Montreal Protocol makes an impact: because of the decrease in the concentration of ozone depleting substances, we can observe a recovery of the stratospheric ozone layer. At the same time we can observe an increase in ozone variability through meteorological components, which underlines the future significance of the impact of climate change on the further development of the ozone layer. Since 1994 continuous measurements of total ozone, commissioned by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management are made at Hoher Sonnblick, which is the only monitoring station of its kind in Austria. The measurements of total ozone are made within the quality standards of the “Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change” (NDACC). Therefore a Brewer spectrophotometer was installed at Hoher Sonnblick. Ozone measurements at Hoher Sonnblick are routinely integrated in NDACC, as well as other initiatives like WOUDC, EDUCE and WMO/GAW. The data of total ozone, measured at Hoher Sonnblick is currently published via teletext on the Austrian Broadcast Corporation (ORF) on page 644. The total ozone measurements at Hoher Sonnblick are operated by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management since 1994 and are guaranteed until 2019. Contact: S.Simic, M. Fitzka, D. Rauter
Caption: Brewer spectrophotometer at Hoher Sonnblick