Installed in the summer of 2011/2012, the Cryosphere Module 1 aims an uninterrupted atmospheric monitoring, a key factor for better understanding of recent changes and climatic changes in Antarctica. Many scientific stations are dedicated to monitoring the physico-chemical and meteorological parameters during the summer and winter, but most are located on the mainland. This new scientific platform uses only wind and solar power sources to perform atmospheric research and meteorological instruments, as well as to collect and transmit data through the ARGOS satellite system. Information about the internal temperature of the module and the current of the power generator are also sent via satellite. Installed weather instrumentation allows monitoring of air temperature, wind speed and direction, relative humidity and atmospheric pressure, atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration and continuous observation of snow accumulation. High temporal resolution data is stored in loggers and average hourly values transmitted to Brazil. In addition, a monthly automatic aerosol integration system using Nuclepore Track-Etch membrane filters (0.4 porosity) was installed to measure the elemental and ionic composition of aerosols. As a power system, CRIOSFERA uses four 160 Watt wind turbines (at a wind speed of 12.5 m / s) and four solar panels of 175 Watts (1000 Wm² at 25 ° C). These power generators are used to charge an 8 kW-hour lead-acid AGM stationary battery pack. During the winter, this battery pack is able to keep the system running for up to 4 days without wind. Other studies in the “Cryosphere 1” area during the first operational season included obtaining a 100 m ice testament and a GPR survey (400 MHz) over 10 km. The Cryosphere INCT hopes to use the site of this module to expand geoscientific research into the Transantarctic Mountains.
