Antarctica InSync (Antarctica International Science & Infrastructure for Synchronous Observation) is an international bottom-up initiative to explore the drastic sea ice decline in recent years in the region. The rate of the decline is beyond what models are able to simulate. This challenge requires interdisciplinary work such that Antarctica InSync comprises research on the ocean, atmosphere, ice, and biology amongst other. The project is organized by Themes.
EERL takes a leading role in Theme 6: Aerosol-cloud-precipitation interactions and radiative feedbacks. A science plan has been published (Schmale et al., 2026). We will perform vertical profiling of thermodynamic and aerosol and cloud properties at Neumayer III station and on Polarstern during the InSync voyage from late 2027 to early 2029. Both platforms are run by the Alfred Wegener Institute.
In the Southern Ocean and Antarctic Continent (SOAC) region, little is known about the lowermost structure of the atmosphere and aerosol-cloud interactions (ACI). However, both the stability of the boundary layer and ACI are drivers of the surface energy balance and are known to play a role in sea ice decline and surface melt in Antarctic coastal regions. Our balloon observations will shed light on these two important climate factors.
EERL’s participation in Antarctica InSync is facilitated through the Swiss National Science Foundation Consolidator grant ORACLES, and the Swiss Polar Institute Flagship DOMINO.