The CNR-ISAC Climatic Observatory of Capo Granitola (CGR, Lat: 37.5753N, Lon: 12.6595E) is a remote site, directly exposed to the Strait of Sicily. It is an ideal site for monitoring the marine background conditions, the influence of vessel emissions from the major routes in the Mediterranean Sea and the Saharan dust transport from North Africa towards Europe, as well as forest fires in North Africa or Southern Italy or volcanic emissions.
Moreover, being overlooking the Mediterranean sea, it is a perfect site for studying the marine aerosol, fresh and transported over long distances. Sicily is located in the middle of Mediterranean sea, where the near surface atmospheric observations are almost inexistent. Capo Granitola observations will fill the gap in the lack of knowledge concerning atmospheric composition in Mediterranean basin.
CGR is placed in Torretta Granitola, at the CNR headquarters where the ISAC Institute has built the infrastructure in 2014. It is 12 km far from Mazzara del Vallo, 60 km from Trapani and 120 km from Palermo.
The observatory is permanently powered by current, with a UPS system that can ensure electrical protection and continuity in measurements. It is equipped with specific inlets for aerosol and gas sampling, as well as a quartz window on the roof for Lidar or DOAS measurements.
Data are available in real time and visualized on the website www.i-amica.it/capo-granitola
Here below the continuous observation programs started in December 2014.
Meteorology and radiation:
- T, P, RH, WD, WI;
- shortwave and longwave upwelling and downwelling.
Trace Gases:
- Surface Ozone;
- Sulfur Dioxide;
- Carbon Dioxide;
- Metane;
- Carbon monoxide;
- Nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2).
Aerosol particles:
- Particle number size distribution (280 nm 10µm);
- Aerosol mass of PM2.5 and PM10;
- Aerosol chemistry (intensive campaings);
- Scattering and back scattering coefficient (450, 550, 700 nm);
- Absorption coefficient (630 nm);
- Equivalent black carbon concentration, derived from absorption coefficient;
- Total particle number (4 nm to 3μm).
For more information please visit:
www.i-amica.it/capo-granitola www.gawsis.meteoswiss.ch/capo-granitola
Contact person:
- Dr. Paolo Bonasoni: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.