GDRI
GDRI ARSAIO (No 631)
- Atmospheric Research in Southern Africa and Indian Ocean -
ARSAIO
FINAL REPORT: 2010-2013
PROSPECTIVE: 2014-2017
SOUTH AFRICA – FRANCE
French coordinator:
Prof. H. BENCHERIF, LACy, UMR 8105, Université de La Réunion
[email protected]
South African coordinator:
Prof. V. SIVAKUMAR, School of Chemistry and Physics, UKZN, Durban
[email protected]
1. Context
In the present context of global changes, atmospheric and climatic research should be more organized in the
framework of international collaborations and research networks. During recent years, the importance of
systematic monitoring of the atmospheric structure, dynamics and composition has been confirmed by
numerous satellite and surface observations. Together with land use change, the aerosol burden perturbs the
surface/atmosphere radiative balance, as well as cloud properties, ensuing regional climatic impacts. Over
Southern Africa and the neighbouring oceanic regions of the Indian Ocean, these regional impacts are
influenced by dynamical variability and play an important role in global climate change. Compared to developed
regions of the northern hemisphere, the tropical and austral regions of the southern hemisphere are poorly
documented even though they are important components of the global atmosphere.
In this context, CNRS and NRF have established a GDRI project called ARSAIO (Atmospheric Research in
Southern Africa and Indian Ocean) along with French and South African laboratories and scientists involved in
atmospheric research and observations in Southern Africa and the neighbouring regions of the Indian Ocean.
The GDRI ARSAIO project focuses on following scientific themes aimed at obtaining a better understanding of
southern tropics/sub-tropical areas, such as:
-
Atmospheric pollution and climate change in Southern Africa
Troposphere ozone and aerosol studies over Indian Ocean Region
Greenhouse gas measurements
Middle atmosphere dynamics and thermal structure
Observations and comparative studies from ground-based and satellite observations
Water vapor cycle study in the Upper Troposphere-Lower Stratosphere
Stratospheric ozone variability and UV radiations in the southern tropics
Besides, the GDRI ARSAIO enables to:
-
Learn from one another by allowing research exchange of expert reports about high precision
measurements,
Regularly compare information from different measurement sites,
Develop training and exchange addition to student co-supervising (Master and PhD students),
Bilaterally coordinate annual organization of research workshops and summer schools,
Work together on a wider range in response to national and international calls.
2010 - 2013 GDRI ARSAIO Report
p. 1
The GDRI research and outcomes are based on student involvement and training together with research
workshop and summer school joint organization. Moreover, there are two important structural developments
undertaken during the 2-last years:
-
-
the opening of the Maïdo atmospheric observatory at Reunion Island by November 2012, thanks to
supports from the Reunion Regional Council, European Community and CNRS. The observatory hosts many
remote sensing, optical microwave and chemical sensors and enable accurate measurements from ground
up to the mesosphere.
the development and strengthening of the Atmosphere Research group at University of KwaZulu-Natal. It is
currently made of 10 people including 5 PhD and 4 Master degree students. In fact, since last year the UKZN
Atmosphere research group received significant support from NLC (National Laser Center), from SANSA
(South African National Space Agency) and from UKZN to develop its research activities, acquire new
remote sensing instruments (sun photometer, ozone analyzer, absolute gravity radiometer) and upgrade
the existing observing systems including the Durban LiDAR. In addition, a new portable LiDAR system with
2D scanner is purchased.
During phase-1, the GDRI ARSAIO was very productive and provided many training opportunities for Master and
PhD students from South-African and French sides:
-
5 research actions developed and jointly coordinated,
19 peer reviewed papers published in international journals
36 contributions in international conferences
8 PhD projects conducted
9 master students supervised and co-supervised
3 Workshops organized
4 summer schools for South-African and French Master and PhD students
The kick off meeting of the GDRI ARSAIO was held during the 26th annual conference of the SASAS (South African
Society for Atmospheric Sciences) at Gariep Dam, Orange Free State, South Africa, from 20 to 22 September 2010.
During this meeting, the GDRI partners agreed to focus on 5 research actions conjointly coordinated by a French
and a South African scientists:
action-1
coordinated by
action-2
coordinated by
action-3
coordinated by
action-4
coordinated by
action-5
coordinated by
Impact of anthropogenic pollution in Southern Africa on Climate Change and Health
Dr. Cathy LIOUSSE
LA, UMR, Toulouse
Prof. Kobus PENNAR
North West University, Potchefstroom
Transport and deposition of mineral dust in western southern Africa
Dr. Paola FORMENTI
LISA, UMR 7583, Créteil
Prof. Stuart PIKETH
North West University, Potchefstroom
Water vapor transport and cloud formation in the vicinity of the tropopause
Dr. Philippe KECKHUT
LATMOS, UMR 8190, Guyancourt
Prof. Venkataraman SIVAKUMAR University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban
Stratospheric, variability, trends and dynamics
Prof. Hassan BENCHERIF
LACy, UMR 8105, Reunion
Prof. Venkataraman SIVAKUMAR UKZN, Durban
Solar UV radiation and human health effects research in La Reunion and South
Caradee WRIGHT
CSIR, Pretoria
Robert DELMAS
LACy, UMR 8105, Reunion
2010 - 2013 GDRI ARSAIO Report
p. 2
Participants
ASSAMOI E.
Ph.D.
NWU, Potchefstroom
Action 1
BARAY Jean-Luc
Phys. Adj.
LACy, UMR 8105, La Reunion
Action 2 and Action 3
BEGUE Nelson
Ph.D. (now Dr)
LACy, UMR 8105, La Reunion
Action 1 and Action 4
BENCHERIF Hassan
Prof.
LACy, UMR 8105, La Reunion
Action 3 and Action 4
BEUKES Paul
Prof.
NWU, Potchefstroom
Action 2
BOTAI Joel
Ph.D. (now Dr)
UP, Pretoria
Action 3
BROGNIEZ Colette
Prof.
LOA, UMR 8518, Lille
Action 5
COETZEE Gerrie
IGE
SAWS, Pretoria
Action 4 and Action 5
COURCOUX Yann
IGE
OPAR, UMR 8105, La Reunion
Action 3
DELMAS Robert
Prof.
LACy, UMR 8105, La Reunion
Action 2
DESBOEUFS Karine
Dr.
LISA, UMR 7583, Créteil
Action 2
DUFLOT Valentin
Ph.D. (now Dr)
LACy, UMR 8105, La Reunion
Action 2
FORMENTI Paola
Dr.
LISA, UMR 7583, Créteil
Action 2
GALY-LACAUX Corinne
IGR
LA, UMR 5560, Toulouse
Action 1
HAUCHECORNE Alain
D.R.
LATMOS, UMR 8190, Guyancourt
Action 4
JOSIPOVIC Miki
Dr.
NWU, Potchefstroom
Action 1
KECKHUT Philippe
Phys.
LATMOS, UMR 8190, Guyancourt
Action 3
LABUSCHAGNE Casper
IGE
SAWS, Cap Point
Action 1
LIOUSSE Cathy
D.R.
LA, UMR 5560, Toulouse
Action 1
MBATHA Nkanyiso
Ph.D. (now Dr)
UKZN and SANSA, Durban
Action 4
PENAAR Kobus
Prof
NWU, Potchefstroom
Action 1
PIKETH Stuart
Prof.
NWU, Potchefstroom
Action 2
PORTAFAIX Thierry
Dr.
LACy, UMR 8105, La Reunion
Action 4
RADKE Barbara
Post-Doc
NWU, Potchefstroom
Action 2
RAMAROLAHY Tahina
Ph.D. (2nd Y)
LACy, UMR 8105, La Reunion
Action 3
RAVEN Jimmy
Ph.D. (3rd Y)
UKZN, Durban
Action 3
SENECA Naidoo
Ph.D.
NWU, Potchefstroom
Action 1 & 2
SIVAKUMAR Venkataraman
Prof.
CSIR - Pretoria and UKZN - Durban
Action 3 and action 4
TOIHIR Mohamed
Ph.D. (2nd Y)
LACy, UMR 8105, La Reunion
Action 4
WRIGHT Caradee
Dr.
CSIR, Pretoria
Action 5
2010 - 2013 GDRI ARSAIO Report
p. 3
2. Science Reports (by research action)
action-1
coordinated by
Impact of anthropogenic pollution in Southern Africa on Climate Change and Health
Dr. Cathy LIOUSSE
Laboratoire d’Aérologie, UMR, Toulouse
Prof. Kobus PENNAR
North-West University Potchefstrom
This research action aims to study the seasonal and annual trends of atmospheric chemistry and pollution at the
Southern Africa scale and its impact on regional climate and health. With this goal, on-going experimental and
modelling activities have been carried out through the IDAF-DEBITS (IGAC DEBITS Africa, DEBITS: Deposition of
Bio-geochemically Important Trace Species) programme and the SACCLAP PICS Project (Air Pollution and
Climate Change in South Africa).
a. Research achievements and outputs within GDRI-1 (2010-2013)
The GDRI activities are oriented towards:





A better characterization of industrialized, domestic and biomass burning sources through specific
measurement campaigns and fuel update with new satellite data for example: the aim is to improve South
African emission inventories for present day and also to build future projection and scenario with mitigation
options to reduce regional air pollution.
A better characterisation of regional aerosol and gases concentrations emitted in southern Africa, with a
focus on long term measurements in the industrialized area. Long range transport studies will be associated
by including IDAF site measurements and modelling.
The study of long term chemical deposition of species impacting terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
The study of regional aerosol radiative forcing and regional climatic impact for present day conditions and
future climate.
The study of the atmospheric pollution impact on health for present and future
GDRI-1 (2010-2013) allowed us to strengthen our partnership between North West University, SASOL and
Laboratoire d’Aérologie with capacity building and Ph.D student exchanges. It also allowed to develop new
contacts in South Africa with Council for Scientific and Industrial Research group for health issues and Cape
University for climatic issues and in Reunion Island with LACy.
Focusing on our main scientific questions on the impact of anthropogenic pollution in Southern Africa on
Climate Change and Health, GDRI-1 has allowed us :
- to refine our strategy
- to test our experimental strategy : number of sites and interest, sampling procedure. Also, although
interesting results have been found in the Vaal school site on health impact of aerosol, this site has been
seen to be impacted by industrial activities (as required) but also by township domestic fires, which needs
to be improved in our new strategy.
- to test a regional climatic model for its capacity to manage air quality and climatic change questions.
Outputs are now presented following the main axis of our studies (Emissions, Deposition, Impacts).
Emissions
- Determination of an African Biomass burning emission inventory from MODIS satellite burnt area data
following the methodology of Liousse et al. (2010). Study has been made for the year 2009 (N. Begue, PhD)
and extended to the period from 2000 to-2013 (E. Touré, PhD). Comparison with existing international
inventories (GFED, GFAS) has revealed much lower values in GFED/GFAS inventories than in GDRI/AMMABB
inventories. International exercises are on going to deal with such a difference with tests on vegetation
parameters (Hambourg workshop, november 2013).
- Development of an African anthropogenic emission inventory for 2005 and 2030 (Liousse et al., 2013). In
this work performed during the E. Assamoi Ph.D, worldwide importance of African anthropogenic
combustion emission has been stressed, by focusing on regional african specificities (Liousse et al., 2013).
Our key factors of uncertainties are now on the determination of emission factors. A few experiments took
place during GDRI-1 with for example a campaign in a township in South Africa (wood and coal domestic
burning) conducted by Seneca Naidoo in the frame of her PhD (PI S. Picket). Surprisingly, high BC/OC values
and low CO/CO2 values (typical of flaming conditions of burning) have been found. These results need to be
confirmed.
2010 - 2013 GDRI ARSAIO Report
p. 4
Regional pollution characterization (atmosphere and deposition) :
Measurements in the DEBITS/IDAF international project are performed on 4 sites on a long term basis. All the
sites are representative of dry savanas more or less impacted by anthropogenic activities. The measurements
are atmospheric deposition (wet fluxes, events), aerosols physico-chemical characterization and gases
concentrations (monthly integration using passive samplers).
In the GDRI-1 context, a new site has been implemented to complement these measurements in the heart of
industrial activity area, in the Vaal Triangle closed to Sasolburg (Vaal Pukke). The same measurements were
performed (deposition, aerosols, gases) with additional continuous gases measurements (active analysers) to
quantify levels of pollution closer to industrial activities. This site has also been considered during DEBITS,
SASOL and GDRI projects. A synthesis of results has been presented by Galy-Lacaux et al. at the GDRI meeting of
La Reunion in November 2012. Results on wet deposition are presented in the journal article of Conradie et al,
2014. Aerosol characterization with a focus on carbonaceous aerosols in the different South African sites under
industrial influence is included in Maritz et al., 2014. Key results are the lower carbonaceous aerosol relative
importance in the particulate mixture than in northern hemisphere values indicated by Zhang et al. and, as
expected, a seasonal variation of carbonaceous aerosol due to biomass burning influence.
Aerosol climatic impact
In the frame of the PhD of E. Assamoi, global modeling of radiative impact of carbonaceous aerosols has been
shown to be impacted by the choice of anthropogenic emission scenarii in 2030 : OC concentrations in Africa
and specially in Johannesburg are increased by a factor of 1 and 5 from 2005 to 2030 with the best and worst
scenarii respectively, whereas absorption capacities of the mixture are higher and lower respectively (lower
SSA for the best scenario).
At the regional scale, Tummon et al., (2010) have shown the climatic impact of south african biomass burning
aerosol with cloud liquid water path, circulation and precipitation changes with the RegCM model.
Atmospheric Pollution and Health
A site under the influence of Vaal Triangle industrial activites within a school (Vaal park primary school) has
been equipped in february 2012 for one year to develop crossed pollution and health measurements focusing
on respiratory problems of children through a collaboration between North West University, SASOL, the school
(J. V. Loggerenberg) and Laboratoire d’Aérologie. Size speciated aerosol chemical characterization has been
performed once a month. Results show that PM2.5 concentrations mainly influenced by industrial, domestic fire
and biomass burning sources are four times higher than the WHO (2005) annual threshold of 10 μg.m-3.
Interestingly, sulfates represent 45% of the aerosol content whereas carbonaceous aerosol, 18%. As shown in
Maritz et al., 2014 (see above) this is different than in northern hemisphere (Zhang et al.). These measurements
were associated to health to determine aerosol inflammatory impact through measuring response of exposed
human cells culture with biomarker determination. Results are expected in january 2014. In the mean time,
discussions took place with Caradee Wright to organize a cohort of children for the follow up of diseases.
However, such project has been postponed since the site at the school has been seen not to answer to the
criteria needed in our strategy about the location of the site (see below).
Note that our regional modelling tools are in preparation in the Laboratoire d’Aérologie to handle air quality
and inflammatory impact estimate.
b. GDRI-2: 2014-2017 perspectives
Dr. Paul Beukes is now replaces the South Africa Theme Co-coordinator in place of Prof. J.J. Pienaar.
In the GDRI-2 project, our scientific questions deal with the climatic and health impact of air pollution linked to
two South African specific sources, the industrial sources and the township domestic fires. Impacts will be
assessed from a dedicated modelling chain from emissions, wet and dry deposition, pollution exposure and
dose in the respiratory tract to both radiative and health impacts. Different scenario of emissions will be tested
to estimate their impacts. We will focus on two SASOL sites, one close to industrial areas and another in a
township near Sasolburg.
Emissions
- a few campaigns will be organized to determine specific emission factors for gases and particles in industrial
areas and in the township at the SASOL sites.
- Scenarii available up to 2030 will be extended to 2050.
2010 - 2013 GDRI ARSAIO Report
p. 5
-
Works on biomass burning emissions (see above) will be completed.
New sources of importance (flaring and waste burning emissions) will be added, so as new species of
interest.
Air quality measurements
- Atmospheric composition and wet and dry deposition will be estimated in the SASOL power station and
township sites. Rain chemical composition will be measured at each sites event by event. Passive samplers
measure monthly gases concentrations, real time data being obtained with active gases analysers. Weekly
PM2.5 and PM10-size speciated aerosol composition will be obtained from Minipartisol impactors at the
two sites, real time measurements of black carbon with an aethalometer. In both dry and wet seasons,
ultra-fine, fine and coarse particles will be collected to measure aerosol chemical composition and oxidative
capacity.
- These measurements will be compared to the regional pattern obtained from DEBITS/IDAF and South
African networks. Also, wet deposition obtained at the MAIDO observatory with a new IDAF system will
allow comparing deposition characteristics over the South African continent and la Reunion Island.
Health measurements
Characterization of aerosol chemical composition for ultra-fine, fine and coarse particles occurring in dry and
wet seasons will be associated to health measurements with in vitro experiments on human bronchial epithelial
cell lines (16HBE) submitted to our sites-collected aerosols, so as to evaluate the pro-inflammatory potential of
aerosols. These measurements will be compared to our oxidative capacity measurements. Inflammatory dose
response functions will be determined.
Climatic and health impact
RegCM4 model will be used to calculate both:
- the radiative impact of the different emission scenario linked to industrial and domestic activities.
- the inflammation risk maps for each source type with tests for different emission scenario.
These results are highly useful for sanitary and policy-makers, who can use them for possible mitigation actions.
The full development of this cooperative project is linked to new funding programs (NRF/CNRS cooperation
programme (PROTEA call), BDI funding for PhD student co-training and to our new possible partnership for
health research development with SASOL industry.
 
action-2
coordinated by
Transport and deposition of mineral dust in western southern Africa
Dr. Paola FORMENTI
LISA, UMR 7583, Créteil
Prof. Stuart PIKETH
North West University, Potchefstroom
a. Research achievements and outputs within GDRI-1 (2010-2013)
Mineral dust emitted by aeolian erosion affect the earth's climate by scattering and absorbing solar and
terrestrial radiation, by altering the cloud properties, by fertilizing the ocean surface, and by modifying the
concentrations of atmospheric gases.
Some major sources are also found in the southern hemisphere. These are:
(1) Etosha Pan (18°S, 16°E). This source is persistent throughout the year and is characterized by a high surface
albedo. The Etosha Pan region offers a case study of human impacts. A large number of indigenous people
were moved to this region as a “native homeland” (Ovamboland). Space shuttle photographs clearly show
the effects of land clearing, agriculture, and land degradation.
(2) Makgadikgadi Depression, south west of the Okavango Delta in Botswana (21°S, 26°E). This source, made of
sandy alkaline clay, is characterised by a high interannual variability, with maximum activity between
August and October and minimum during the austral winter.
(3) Walvis bay (22°S, 15°E). These are sand dunes located on the Namibian coast whose export is very localized
and restricted to the bay.
(4) Generic agricultural activities in Lesotho and South Africa Free State.
2010 - 2013 GDRI ARSAIO Report
p. 6
Dust emitted from those sources is expected to contribute significantly to the dust load of the South African
sub-continent and it will have important climatic impact via aerosol-cloud-radiation interactions. However, to
date, no information are available on the strength and nature of this dust. The aim of this work to fill this gap
and answer the following questions:
1) How much mineral dust is exported towards the Atlantic ocean?
2) Which is the seasonal cycle of dust export?
3) Which sources are contributing to dust export?
4) Which are the physico-chemical, optical and solubility properties of exported dust?
5) What is the relative importance of dust and biomass burning aerosols transported off the west coast of
southern Africa?
With respect to the initial plan, we have focused on the characterisation of dust transport and we did not
implement the measurements necessary to estimate dust deposition. These will be implemented on a second
phase should additional funding become available.
A ground-based station for long-term observations has been set up since
February 2012 at the Research facility of the University of Namibia located
in Hentjies Bay (22°S, 13°E), Namibia. Measurements include surface dust
concentrations by a TEOM microbalance, black carbon concentrations by an
aethalometer, ozone concentration by an HORIBA analyser, and aerosol
optical depth by a CIMEL sunphotometer attached to the AERONET
network. Two intensive field campaigns have been performed for sample
collections for aerosol characterisation (February-October 2012).
First results have been presented at the GDRI annual meetings held at the end of October 2012 at the University
of La Réunion in Saint Denis and in November 2013 at the North West University (Potchefstroom, South Africa).
The highest wind speeds at the site are recorded for winds provening both from the north-east and the south
(see Figure above on the right). There is therefore potential for long-range transport of mineral dust both from
southern sources (The Gobabeb desert) as well as northern sources such as the Etosha Pan or the Makgadikgadi
Depression, as well as the dry rivers located inland of the station.
There is also a clear diurnal cycle on the wind speed and direction (see Figure on the left), which indicates that
there is a sea-land breeze alternance affecting the site, bringing sea salt aerosols to the station.
At the seasonal scale (see Figure on the right), there is no clear seasonal
cycle of the aerosol mass, possibly because of the combined effect of the
different seasonal cycle of the dust source activation, but also because of
the likely contribution of sea salt to the sampling site. Conversely, there is
a clear seasonal cycle of the black carbon content, and also in the ozone
concentrations.
This might be due to the influence of distant biomass burning aerosols (rather fine particles which might not
show up in the aerosol mass) or to local burning for heating purposes during the austral winter months. This
increase is also evident on the time series of aerosol optical depth measured at the site, which, at 440 nm, can
reach 0.5 at 440 nm. The characteristics of these high AOD episodes are consistent with those observed for
biomass burning aerosols at the regional scale (not shown). This suggests that our site is impacted by long-range
transport of biomass burning aerosols and not to local burning.
An episode of long-range dust transport has been
detected and characterised between 7 and 9 October
2012. Five-day back-trajectories (shown on the right)
indicate that transport is from the Gobabeb desert
within air masses coming from the southern Ocean. This
dust episode has been characterised chemically by
looking at the concentrations of typical elemental tracers
of mineral dust such as Al, Si and Fe.
For this episode, the total dust concentrations can be estimated to be of the order of 12 µg m -3 based on the
concentrations of Al in the coarse fraction. Furthermore, the ratios between these tracers are rather specific
(see figures below). Dust from the Gobabeb is enriched both in Si and Fe. These features will have to be further
explored by looking at the mineralogical composition as well as the iron oxide content which we can measure
2010 - 2013 GDRI ARSAIO Report
p. 7
using X-ray diffraction and a chemical extraction technique. These analyses will help us understand the
mineralogical nature of these tracers which determine their impacts.
In particular, the mineralogy of Al and Si determines the role of mineral dust in affecting cloud properties,
whereas the mineralogy of iron (whether linked to iron oxides or to aluminosilicates) will determine the role of
dust on the earth radiative budget via absorption of radiation as well as the solubility of mineral dust, hence its
capacity to act as a nutrient for marine phytoplankton.
b. GDRI-2: 2014-2017 perspectives
There is a growing interest on mineral dust in Southern Africa therefore we want to maintain this action
proceeding by continuing measurements at the Hentjies Bay station. In addition to the current instrumental
payload, we will also operate a GRIMM optical counter to yield information on the aerosol size distribution and
a streaker sampler to monitor continuously the aerosol composition. This will allow a better apportionment of
the different aerosol sources on the long-term.
To extend the scope and the representativeness of our research, we have made contacts with Dr Jost Lavric, PI
of the Namib Desert Atmospheric Observatory (NDAO) at the Gobabeb Research and Training Centre, to
coordinate and integrate our researches. Starting from February 2014, we will install a CIMEL sunphotometer at
the NDAO station.
Furthermore, we participate in a consortium with NASA (PI. J. Redemann) and the UK MetOffice (PI. J.
Haywood) building a research project on aerosol-cloud-radiation interactions in Southern Africa. This
consortium is preparing a research project to fund an intensive campaign in October 2016 which will use
ground-based and aircraft instrumentation. The long-term measurements conducted in the framework of the
GDRI-ARSAIO project will be a precious baseline to put into context the observations of the intensive campaign.
An active search of funding for this very ambitious project has also started.
 
action-3
coordinated by
Water vapor transport and cloud formation in the vicinity of the tropopause
Dr. Philippe KECKHUT
LATMOS, UMR 8190, Guyancourt
Prof. Venkataraman SIVAKUMAR UKZN, Durban
a. Research achievements and outputs within GDRI-1 (2010-2013)
The transport of water vapor in the stratosphere remains unclear while the water vapor density in the vicinity of
the tropopause plays a crucial role in the radiative budget. One of the issues is the phase changes of water and
the occurrence of cirrus and their potential formation in the stratosphere with their potential effect on ozone
(Solomon et al., 1997). The investigations of cirrus climatology performed in northern hemisphere (Keckhut et
al., 2006) have revealed the occurrence of 3 types of cirrus. One of the classes corresponds to isentropic
transport from the upper tropical troposphere and lower mid-latitude stratosphere (Keckhut et al., 2005;
Montoux et al., 2009).
Action-3 aims to improve knowledge about cirrus clouds formation, persistence and more generally the transport of
water vapor on a long distance in conjunction with subtropical jet activity. It is also to address comparing cirrus
clouds climatology over Reunion, Durban and Brazil (Sao Paulo). The 2nd phase consists in performing analyses of data
obtained over the selected sites on similar trajectories. It is proposed to perform such investigation using existing
data since 1999. It is also proposed to perform coordinated campaigns depending on the trajectory forecasts over
LiDAR sites.
Some water vapor and cirrus activities (Cadet et al., 2003) have been developed at La Réunion (21°S). South
Africa is as a very good location to implement a complementary site to investigate this issue. A research LiDAR
2010 - 2013 GDRI ARSAIO Report
p. 8
was installed at UKZN to sample the mid-latitude air-masses, in a site relatively close to Reunion Island.
Unfortunately, during the GDRI period the LiDAR was not operational, due to the lack of local support.
Schematic diagram of 2-Channel CSIR-NLC mobile LIDAR system.
Inter-comparison between H2O Raman lidar, CFH (Cryogenic Frost point
Hygrometer) sonde and ECMWF analysis on 15 March 2005.
However, due to change in the South African co-ordinator (Sivakumar has resigned from CSIR, Pretoria, and he is
now appointed as Professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal) the Durban LiDAR activity is going to restart.
Since then, the UKZN Atmosphere research group has grown. It is currently made of 10 people including 6 PhD
students and two post-doctoral fellows. In fact, since last year the UKZN Atmosphere research group received
significant support from NLC (National Laser Center), from SANSA (South African National Space Agency) and
from UKZN to develop its research activities, acquire new remote sensing instruments (sun photometer, ozone
analyser, absolute gravity radiometer) and upgrade the existing observing systems including the Durban LiDAR. In
addition, a new portable LiDAR system with 2D scanner is purchased. It is now ready for shipment and will be
operational before June 2014.
Most of this action activity took place during 2012 and 2013. A post-doc (N. Mbatha) used satellite datasets
together with ground-based LiDAR observations to retrieve aerosol and cirrus distributions over South Africa. A
synthesis of this work was presented at the 26th ILRC (International Laser Radar Conference) in Greece (Mbatha
et al., 2012a) and at the SASAS annual conference in Durban (Mbatha et al., 2013)
Similar studies have been conducted in the frame work of Ph.D and Master works by the use of the CSIR mobile
LiDAR and satellite observation (CALIPSO, MODIS, MIRS, TES, …) (Sivakumar et al., 2011 ; Toihir et al., 2012;
Mbatha et al, 2012b, Kumar et al., 2012 ; Sivakumar et al., 2012 ; Mbatha, 2013 ?).
A water-vapor Raman LiDAR is now currently installed at the Maïdo Observatory (Reunion Island). A first
campaign-validation took place on April 2013.
Furthermore, by 2011, we initiated a research project with the University of Pretoria on the self-similarity in
Precipitable Water Vapour (PWV) by the use of NCEP and ERA-40 reanalysis datasets. Dr. J. Botai, lecturer at
University of Pretoria, visited LACy (Reunion University) for 1 month. The preliminary results of this
collaborative work suggested that the self-similar behaviour of non-detrended PWV is significantly different
from that of the detrended PWV derived from both reanalysis datasets. In addition, PWV does not exhibit a
uniform power-law scaling, rather, the power-law exponents have spatial dependence. This work was extended
in form of bilateral research project submitted in the framework of Protea-2012 call.
Spatial variability of the
monthly averaged PWV
derived from NCEP (on the
left panel) and ECMWF
ERA40 (on the right panel)
re-analysis datasets, from
January 1959 to December
2001.
b. GDRI-2: 2014-2017 perspectives
2010 - 2013 GDRI ARSAIO Report
p. 9
It is important at the present stage of the project to note that the implementation of action 3 on
“water vapor” has suffered from a lack of coordination from both sides, in addition to some overlap
with Action 4 dedicated to “ozone and middle atmosphere dynamics”. It should be added that,
contrary to initial plans, Durban LiDAR was inoperative during GDRI-1.
During the last GDRI ARSAIO Workshop at Potchefstroom (27-29 November 2013), French and South
African partners agreed to reduce the number of research action to 3 (instead of 5 research actions
undertaken during GDRI-1 from 2010 to 2013), in order to enhance research interaction and improve
the coordination of research actions.
In the GDRI-2 all “Atmospheric Water Vapor” studies based on LiDAR and satellite observations over
southern Africa and neighboring Indian Ocean zone are merged with research activity on
“stratospheric variability and dynamics”.
 
action-4
coordinated by
Stratospheric variability, trends and dynamics
Prof. Hassan BENCHERIF
Reunion University, LACy UMR 8105, La Réunion
Prof. Venkataraman SIVAKUMAR UKZN, Westville Campus, Durban
The atmosphere is made of different layers which affect our environment in a number of ways. The physical and
chemical processes that characterise these layers are inter-linked to each other resulting in coupling of the
different layers. In this action, we investigate dynamical interaction between stratosphere and mesosphere (N.
Mbatha PhD) and the atmospheric response to a number of forcing mechanisms and trend analyses by the use
of French and South African ground-based network for atmospheric observations in association with global
satellite experiments.
a. Research achievements and outputs within GDRI-1 (2010-2013)
In the framework of the ARSAOI GDRI bilateral project, during the 2010-2013 period, we conducted studies on
climatology, trend and dynamics in the southern middle atmosphere.
Part of our research activity is developed in the present topic is undertaken within the PhD of M. Nkanyiso
MBATHA (co-supervised by V. Sivakumar and H. Bencherif). The PhD topic was on “Middle Atmosphere
Dynamics and stratosphere-mesosphere interactions in the southern hemisphere”, which has been rarely
studied by research community. It has been investigated in the framework of a bilateral research program
(French-SA) and also within the South Africa National Antarctic programme. In the framework of Nkanyiso’s PhD
a large amount of data of different kind has been extensively used: wind data from SuperDARN HF radar,
temperature profiles from satellite observations (HALOE, TIDE, SABER and COSMIC) and from LiDAR records
(Durban LiDAR archives), SANAE Imaging Riometer and meteorological fields from global models. 3 research
papers are published from his PhD studies:
-
-
-
Mbatha N., Sivakumar V., Malinga S.B., Bencherif H. and Pillay S.R., Study on the impact of sudden stratosphere warming in the
upper mesosphere-lower thermosphere region using satellite and HF radar measurements, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 3397–3404,
2010.
Mbatha N., V. Sivakumar, H. Bencherif, S.B. Malinga and S.R. Pillay, A. Moorgawa, and M. M. Michaelis, Observations of a middle
atmosphere thermal structure over Durban using a ground-based Rayleigh LIDAR and satellite data, S. Afr. J. Sci., 108(1/2), Art.
#612, 9 pages, 2012
Mbatha N., Sivakumar V, Bencherif H and Malinga S.B., Extracting gravity wave parameters during the September 2002 Southern
Hemisphere major sudden stratospheric warming using a SANAE imaging Riometer, Ann. Geophy., 31, 1709-1719, 2013.
2010 - 2013 GDRI ARSAIO Report
p. 10
2002 zonal mean temperature and zonal wind at 80°S and 60°S,
respectively, from UKMO data. The black box indicates the
period of the occurrence of the year 2002 SSW.
Normalized wavelet power spectrum of radio absorption measured
by SANAE imaging riometer centre beams (20, 28, 36, 37 and 28) for
day number 259 of September 2002
In addition to the above mentioned dynamical studies, this research action aims to examine change and
variability in the tropical stratosphere. The latter is particularly concerned with the dual problem of
stratospheric ozone and climate change. During GDRI-1, we focused on temperature and ozone assessment
from South African, French and international observations (from SHADOZ and NDACC southern stations).
One of the most important outcomes is the improvement of the Trend-Run model. It is a regression model
based on the principal of a linear multi-regression by breaking down the variations of a time series into the sum
of different forcings that explain most of the known variability. In its initial version (Bencherif et al. 2006), the
Trend-Run model considers the main forcings, i.e., annual and semi-annual oscillations (AO, SAO), quasibiennale oscillation (QBO), El-Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and the 11-years solar cycle. Begue et al. (2010)
improved the model by adding sea-surface forcing depending on the location, for better assessment of
temperature variability and trends in the tropical/subtropical UT-LS region. The use of Trend-Run model has
extended:
-
by Sivakumar et al (2011) to SHADOZ sites in order to study tropopause characteristics and variability in the
Southern Tropics and Subtropics,
by Bencherif et al. (2012) to total ozone time-series obtained by SAOZ and Dobson at French and SouthAfrican sites in the SH: Reunion (Fr), Kerguelen (Fr), Irene (SA), Springbok (SA); and other sites.
Time evolution of monthly total ozone values as observed by
Dobson, TOMS, OMI and IASI experiments over Irene, from July
1990 to December 2011. Bencherif et al. (2012)
Overall mean CPT, LRT, and OT for the nine SHADOZ stations.
Sivakumar et al. (2011)
Research questions within this specific sub-action have been about:
-
estimate of decadal trend in temperature from ground up to the LS based on the modified
improvement of the Trend-Run model that take into account various atmospheric forcing,
adaptation of the Trend-Run model in order to fit analysis of rainfall time-series from different location over
South Africa and other Indian Ocean sites
comprehensive studies on “troposphere - stratosphere - mesosphere” interactions and climate forcings.
During GDRI-1, the Ozone activities in South Africa has been enhanced with the Irene ozone sounding program
resuming after a few years of non- operation during September 2012. This was made possible by the acquiring
2010 - 2013 GDRI ARSAIO Report
p. 11
of a new Vaisala Digicora MW31 Ground receiving station. Since then 50 vertical atmospheric profiles has been
collected and the data are currently being research together with that of La Reunion under the SHADOZ
Principle Investigators guidance. The Dobson Programs at Irene and Springbok was sustained in amicable
fashion. Although Dobson #089 from Irene provide some technical problems it was replace by Dobson #035 for
the period March to August 2013, and thus sustaining the systematic observation record since 1989 without
much data loss.
In addition, the existing LiDAR data recorded at Reunion and Durban have been used and within two
complementary studies:
- Observations of a middle atmosphere thermal structure over Durban using a ground-based Rayleigh LIDAR
and satellite data, published by Mbatha et al. (2012)
- Rayleigh LIDAR and satellite (HALOE, SABER, GPS-CHAMP and COSMIC) measurements of StratosphereMesosphere temperature over a southern sub-tropical site, Reunion (20.8°S; 55.5°E): Climatology and
comparison study, by Sivakumar et al. (2011)
b. GDRI-2: 2014-2017 perspectives
As mentioned earlier, this action is now combined together with earlier (Action-3) and follow-up (Action-5)
activities of GDRI-1, it is now addressed as Action-3 “Studies on stratospheric variability, climate and dynamics”
in GDRI-II. The theme of action to
- Continue studies on Middle atmosphere dynamics and thermal structure using different in-situ (LiDAR and
RADAR) and Space-borne data
- Ozone measurements and its variability over South Africa and in Southern Hemisphere region
- Characterization of different atmosphere measurements (temperature, water-vapour, aerosol, etc.,) at
different locations and its agreement with satellite (SABER, HALOE, COSMIC and GPS).
- Applicability of Trend-Run model on long-term SAWS observational data and address climatic
trends/atmosperic forcings
- Link the relationship between ozone and surface UV radiations added to health impacts (earlier Action-5)
- Climatolgocial studies on Aerosol and cirrus cloud using LIDAR observations from SA (Pretoria and Durban)
and Reunion (earlier Action-3).
- Train the younger generation (including Master and Doctoral degree students) on various atmosphere
remote sensing devices and application of various satellite datasets together with SAWS.
 
action-5
coordinated by
Solar UV radiation and human health effects research in La Reunion and South
Caradee WRIGHT
CSIR, Pretoria
Robert DELMAS
Reunion University, LACy UMR 8105, La Réunion
The primary objective of this action plan is to co-ordinate and work together for investigating and gaining a
better understanding of the solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation environment in Southern Africa and the Indian
Ocean by using in-situ and modelling techniques, as well as human health risk assessment frameworks. The
work focuses on two key themes:
- Ambient solar ultraviolet radiation levels in South Africa and La Reunion, analysis and interpretation;
- Determining the possible human health risks (under-exposure, excess exposure, seasonal differences etc) as
defined by the United Nations Environment Programme report on the effects of solar UV-B radiation.
Two specific objectives have been identified:
1. to analyse past and present ambient solar UV radiation and associated factors in South Africa and La
Reunion, and future levels in South Africa.
2. to identify possible human health risks, beyond UV-B and sunburn, to also consider new and emerging risks
in relation to UV-A, such as immune suppression
a. Research achievements and outputs within GDRI-1 (2010-2013)
Caradee Wright visited the University of La Reunion from the 24-30 April 2011 and spent time with Dr Jean-Luc
Baray learning about the instruments and data. She also made a presentation about the ’photobiological human
2010 - 2013 GDRI ARSAIO Report
p. 12
health risk assesmsent using measured ambient solar ultraviolet radiation and typical lifestyly sceanrios: a South
African – Reunin Island comparison’.
During 2011, Caradee Wright obtained solar UV radiation data from South African Weather Service and
prepared the data for analysis. The data were applied in two series of analyses for publication.
Data were obtained in August 2011 from France for solar UV radiation levels at La Reunion Island. There had
been some difficulties in preparing the data hence the delay in the final data set being provided. The data has
now been sorted and the two lines of data from each file (one file per hour per day for all of 2009) have been
collected. A research article was published in Photochemistry and Photobiology. A conference paper was also
presented at the SASAS 2013 conference in Durban.
A highlight was a successful application to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) to pursue additional
solar UV radiation and human health exposure risks analyses in 2012-2014, using output produced during this
project as motivation for the need of future research.
b. GDRI-2: 2014-2017 perspectives
Similar to action-3 on “water vapor”, action-5 on “UV radiation” suffered from a lack of coordination. Most of
activity has been supervised from the South-African side by Dr. Caradee Wright at CSIR. From the French side,
Robert Delmas and Jean-Luc Baray from LACy were initially involved. R. Delmas has now retired and J.L. Baray
has relocated to Grenoble at the LaMP (Laboratoire de Météorologie Physique). They indeed now are no more
part of the GDRI project.
During the last GDRI ARSAIO Workshop at Potchefstroom (27-29 November 2013), French and South African
partners agreed to consistently merge action 3 on “UV radiation” with action 4 on “stratospheric variability and
dynamics” during GDRI-2. This will enable us to reduce number of research actions, enhance interaction
between French and South African partners. It will also allow to examining inteactions and correlations between
variability and change in stratospheric ozone and ground UV radiation records at different locations in the
Indian Ocean.
3. Students trained in the programme
PhD students
Name
Conradie Elne
MARITZ Petra
Mbatha Nkanyiso
NAIDOO Seneca
Raven Jimmy
TOIHIR Mohamed
TUMMON Fiona
WALTON Nicola
University
UPS, Toulouse
NWU, Potchefstrom
UKZN, Durban
NWU, Potchefstrom
UKZN, Durban
UR, Reunion
UPS Toulouse and
UCT, Cape Town
GDRI action
Action 1
Action 1
Action 4
Action 1
Action 3
Action 4
Action 1
NWU, Potchefstrom
Action 2
Supervisor
Prof. Paul Beukes
Co-supervisor
Prof. V. Sivakumar
Prof. H. Bencherif
Prof. V. Sivakumar
Prof. H. Bencherif
Prof. F. Solmon
Prof. H. Bencherif
Prof. V. Sivakumar
Prof. B. Hewitson
Present status
Scientist at SAWS
Scientist at SAWS
2nd year
2nd year
Finished
3rd year
Prof. S. Piketh
Master students
student
-
ALBERS Patricia
BEGUE Nelson
CHIFOTO Perfect P.
KNIGHT Claire
NCONGWANE Katlego
OGUNNUYI Jerremiah
PORRET Matthieu
RAMAROLAHY Tahina
TOIHIR Mohamed A.
University
Action
place
year
Supervisor(s)
Univ. Pretoria
UR, Reunion
UKZN, Durban
NWU, Potchefstroom
UKZN, Durban
UKZN, Durban
UR, Reunion
UR, Reunion
UR, Reunion
Action 5
Action 4
Action 4
Action 2
Action 5
Action 4
Action 4
Action 3
Action 4
CSIR, Pretoria
UR and UKZN
UKZN
Potchefstroom
UKZN
UKZN
UKZN
UR
UKZN
2012
2010
2013
2013
2012
2013
2013
2012
2012
C. Wright
H. Bencherif / V. Sivakumar
V. Sivakumar
S. Piketh
V. Sivakumar
V. Sivakumar / H. Bencherif
V. Sivakumar / H. Bencherif
H. Bencherif / V. Sivakumar
V. Sivakumar / H. Bencherif
GDRI Summer School
Besides to student training in the programme, French and SA GDRI partners have set up and organize a summer
school on Remote Sensing held annually in South Africa. This Summer School is dedicated to Master students
from Reunion University and neighbouring Indian Ocean countries (Reunion, South Africa, Madagascar,
2010 - 2013 GDRI ARSAIO Report
p. 13
Comoros and Mauritius). It lasts a week and takes place by early December. The summer school programme for
every edition is jointly established between French and SA partners under the coordination and supervision of
the GDRI ARSAIO principal coordinators.
In addition to GDRI support, this summer school is sponsored by many organisations:
- the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC),
- the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF)
- the South African National Space Agency (SANSA)
During the GDRI project 3 Remote Sensing Summer Schools were held at 3 different locations:
- 2011 annual RS Summer School at Pretoria
- 2012 annual RS Summer School at Cape Town
- 2013 annual RS Summer School at Durban
Many South African partners contributed to the preparation, organization and the academic programme. They
contributed with thematic lectures on their research activities and with laboratory and research equipment
visits and demonstrations.
Here follows a complete list of SA partner to whom we are thankful for their effective help and contributions:
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Pretoria
- CSIR, Natural Resources and the Environment, Durban
- Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO), Hartebeesthoek
- National Laser Centre, Pretoria
- South African National Space Agency (SANSA), Earth Observation, Hartebeesthoek
- SANSA Space Science observatory, Hermanus
- SAWS Global Atmospheric Watch station (GAW), Cape Point
- South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), Cape Town
- South African Weather Service (SAWS), Irene
- University of Cape Town, Cape Town
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban
- University of Pretoria, Pretoria,
- University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch
4. Staff and student exchange
Name
BEGUE Nelson (MSc), LACy, UR
SIVAKUMAR Venkataraman, CSIR
PIKETH Stuart, NWU
WALTON Nicola, NWU
BENCHERIF Hassan, LACy, Reunion
Wright Caradee, CSIR, Prétoria
BOTAI Joel, University of Pretoria
SIVAKUMAR Venkataraman, CSIR
MBATHA Nkanyiso, UKZN, SANSA
BEGUE Nelson (PhD), LACy, UR
PIENAAR Kobus, NWU
Maritz Petra (PhD)
Tummon Fiona (PhD)
BENCHERIF Hassan, LACy, Reunion
2010 - 2013 GDRI ARSAIO Report
Place visited
UKZN, Durban
LACy, Reunion
LISA, Créteil
LISA, Créteil
CSIR, Prétoria
LACy, Reunion Island
LACy, La Réunion
LACy, La Réunion
LACy, La Réunion
Toulouse, France
Toulouse, France
Toulouse, France
Johannesbourg, South Africa
UKZN, Durban
Period of stay
July-August 2010
April 2011
November 2011
November 2011
May 2011
April 2011
June 2011
October 2011
November 2011
November 2011
Mai 2011
Mai 2011
May-June 2011
June 2012
p. 14
TOIHIR Mohamed Abdoulwahab (MSc)
LÉAL-LIOUSSE Catherine, LA
GALY-LACAUX Corinne, LA, Toulouse
DESBOEUFS K., LISA, Créteil
TOIHIR Mohamed Abdoulwahab (PhD)
PORET Mathieu (MSc), UR
RADKE Barbara, NWU
BENCHERIF Hassan, LACy, Reunion
JOSIPOVIC Micky, NWU
Cathy LÉAL-LIOUSSE, LA, Toulouse
Corinne GALY-LACAUX, LA, Toulouse
Paola FORMENTI, LISA, Créteil
BENCHERIF Hassan, LACy, Reunion
UKZN, Durban
Sasolbourg, South Africa
Sasolbourg, South Africa
Hentjies Bay, Namibia
UKZN, Durban
UKZN, Durban
LISA, Créteil
UKZN, Durban
Toulouse, France
Potchefstroom, South Africa
Potchefstroom, South Africa
Potchefstroom, South Africa
UKZN, Durban
January-June 2012
February 2012
February 2012
February 2012
April-Sept. 2013
April-June 2013
November-December 2013
January 2013
October-November 2013
November 2013
November 2013
November 2013
September 2013
5. Results
a. Articles in referee-based scientific journals
2010
4
2011
3
2012
4
2013
8
2010-2013
19
2010
1.
2.
3.
4.
Begue N, Bencherif H, Sivakumar V, Kirgis G, Mze N and Leclair de Bellevue J., Temperature variability and trends in the
UT-LS over a sub-tropical site, Reunion (20.8 S, 55.5E), Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 8563–8574, 2010
Liousse C., B. Guillaume, J.M. Grégoire, M. Mallet, C. Galy, V. Pont, A. Akpo, M. Bedou, P. Castéra, L. Dungall, E.
Gardrat, C. Granier, A. Konaré, F. Malavelle, A. Mariscal, A. Mieville, R. Rosset, D. Serça, F. Solmon, F. Tummon, E.
Assamoi, V. Yoboué, and P. Van Velthoven, Updated African biomass burning emission inventories in the framework of
the AMMA-IDAF program, with an evaluation of combustion aerosols, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 7347-7382, 2010
Mbatha, N, Sivakumar V, Malinga S B, Bencherif, H and Pillay S R., Study on the impact of sudden stratosphere
warming in the upper mesosphere-lower thermosphere region using satellite and HF radar measurements, Atmos.
Chem. Phys., 10, 3397–3404, 2010
Tummon, F., F. Solmon, C. Liousse, and M. Tadross, Simulation of the direct and semidirect aerosol effects on the
southern Africa regional climate during the biomass burning season, J. Geophys. Res., 115, D19206,
doi:10.1029/2009JD013738., 2010
2011
1.
2.
3.
Sivakumar V, Bencherif H, Begue N and Thompson A.M., Tropopause characteristics and variability from 11-year
SHADOZ observations in the southern tropics and sub-tropics, Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 50,
1403-1416, 2011
Sivakumar V, Vishnu Prasanth, P, Kishore, P, Bencherif H, and Keckhut P, Rayleigh LIDAR and satellite (HALOE, SABER,
GPS-CHAMP and COSMIC) measurements of Stratosphere-Mesosphere temperature over a southern sub-tropical site,
Reunion (20.8°S; 55.5°E): Climatology and comparison study, Annales Geophysicae, 29, 649-662, 2011.
Wright, C., Coetzee, G and Ncongwane, K. Ambient solar UV radiation and potential sunburn risk among schoolchildren
at six sites in South Africa. South African Journal of Child Health. South African Journal of Child Health 5(2): 33-38, 2011
2012
1.
2.
3.
4.
Hoareau, C., P. Keckhut, J.-L. Baray, L. Robert, Y. Courcoux, J. Porteneuve, H. Vömel, and B. Morel, A Raman lidar at la
reunion (20.8° S, 55.5° E) for monitoring water vapor and cirrus distributions in the subtropical upper troposphere:
preliminary analyses and description of a future system, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 5(6), 1333-1348, 2012
Mbatha N.M., V. Sivakumar, H. Bencherif, S.B. Malinga and S. R. Pillay, Analyses of the Middle atmosphere thermal
structure over Durban using a ground-based Rayleigh LIDAR system and satellite experiments (HALOE and SABER),
South African Journal of Sciences, 108(1/2), Art. #612, 9 pages, 2012
Wright, CY, Norval, M, Summers, B, Davids, L, Coetzee, G and Oriowo, M., The impacts of solar ultraviolet radiation on
human health in sub-Saharan Africa. South African Journal of Science 108(11/12):1-6, 2012
Wright, CY, Norval, M, Summers, B, Davids, L, Coetzee, G and Oriowo, M., Solar ultraviolet radiation exposure and
human health in South Africa: finding a balance. South African Medical Journal 102(8):665-666., 2012
2013
2010 - 2013 GDRI ARSAIO Report
p. 15
1.
2.
3.
4.
Liousse C., E. Assamoi, P. Criqui, C. Granier and R. Rosset, African combustion emission explosive growth from 2005 to
2030, in review process to Environmental Research Letter, 2013
Maritz P., J.P. Beukes, P.G. van Zyl, E.H. Conradie, C. Liousse, C. Galy-Lacaux, P. Castéra, A. Ramandh, G. Mkhatshwa,
A.D. Venter and J.J. Pienaar,, Spatial and temporal assessment of organic and black carbon at DEBITS sites in South
Africa, submitted to Atmos. Env, 2013
Mbatha N.M., Sivakumar V, Bencherif H and Malinga S B, Extracting gravity wave parameters during the September
2002 Southern Hemisphere major sudden stratospheric warming using a SANAE imaging Riometer, Annales
Geophysicae, 31, 1709-1719, 2013
Wright C.Y., C. Brogniez, K. P. Ncongwane, V. Sivakumar, G. Coeztee, J. M. Metzger, F. Auriol, C. Deroo and B. Sauvage,
Sunburn risk among children and outdoor workers in South Africa and Reunion coastal sites, Photochem. and
Photobiology, 89: 1226-1233, 2013
5.
Wright, CY and Albers, PN, Comparison of two personal UV Index monitors for sun awareness in South Africa. South
African Journal of Science 109(1/2): 88-91, 2013
6.
Wright, CY, Brogniez, C, Ncongwane, KP, Sivakumar V, Coetzee, C, Metzger, J-M, Auriol, F, Deroo, C and Sauvage, B.
Sunburn risk among children and outdoor workers in South Africa and Reunion Island Coastal Sites. Photochem
Photobiol 86: 1226-1233, 2013
Wright, CY, Davids, LM, Summers, B and Norval, M., Solar ultraviolet radiation in South Africa: Clinical consequences
for the skin. Expert Review in Dermatology.8(6): 693-706, 2013
Zhu T., Melamed M.L., Parrish D., Gauss M., Gallardo Klenner L., Lawrence M., Konare A. and Liousse C., WMO/IGAC
Impacts of Megacities on Air Pollution and Climate, GAW Report No. 205, WMO edition, 1-314pp, (chapter 2 on Africa
with Liousse, Konaré, Kanakidou and Pienaar as co-authors), 2013
7.
8.
b. Other reports, papers and presentations from scientific meetings
2010
11
2011
4
2012
17
2013
4
2010-2013
36
2010
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Bencherif H, Mze N, Begue N, Colanne N, Diab R, Sivakumar V, and Keckhut P, On the use of a Regression Model for
Trend Estimates from Ground-based Atmospheric Observations in the Southern Hemisphere, Proc. of 26th Annual
conference of South African society for atmosphere science, ISBN 978-0-620-47333-0, 20-22 September 2010, Gariep
Dam (South Africa), Pg, 7-8.
Beukes J.P., P.G. Van Zyl, E.H. Conradie, J.J. Pienaar, C. Galy-Lacaux and M.M. Loock, Where is Air quality in South
Africa Going? A case study at a regional background site, NACA (National Association for Clean Air) Conference 2010,
“Bridging the Gap”, Ranch Hotel, Polokwane South Africa (poster presentation), 13-15 October 2010
Beukes J.P., P.G. van Zyl; E.H. Conradie, J.J. Pienaar, G. Mkhatshwa, G.D. Fourie, and C. Galy-Lacaux, Air quality in South
Africa – past trends and future challenges. A case study at a regional background site, 12th Symposium for the
International Commission on the Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Pollution (iCACGP) and the 11th Science
Conference of the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry (IGAC) Project, “Atmospheric Chemistry: Challenging
the Future”, Halifax, Canada (poster presentation), 11-16 July 2010
Conradie E.H., J.J. Pienaar, J.P. Beukes, P.G. Van Zyl, C. Galy-Lacaux, E.L.J. Kleynhans and W. van der Merwe, Wet
deposition Trends in South Africa, NACA (National Association for Clean Air) Conference 2010, “Bridging the Gap”,
Ranch Hotel, Polokwane South Africa (poster presentation), 13-15 October 2010
Conradie E.H., J.J. Pienaar, J.P. Beukes, P.G. van Zyl, G. Mkhatshwa, G.D. Fourie, and C. Galy-Lacaux, “Long-term
temporal deposition of biogeochemically important trace species at Skukuza”, 7th Annual Savanna Science Network
Meeting, Skukuza, South Africa (oral presentation), 19 – 24 April 2010
Conradie E.H., J.J. Pienaar, J.P. Beukes, P.G. van Zyl, G. Mkhatshwa, G.D. Fourie and C. Galy-Lacaux. Progress on the
DEBITS project: Trends in wet deposition in South Africa, 2nd South African Environmental Observation Network
(SAEON) Summit: Successful Observation of Environmental Change, Cape Town, South Africa (oral presentation), 5 – 6
October 2010
Conradie E.H., J.J. Pienaar, J.P. Beukes, P.G. van Zyl, G. Mkhatshwa, G.D. Fourie, and C. Galy-Lacaux, Trends in wet
deposition in South Africa 12th Symposium for the International Commission on the Atmospheric Chemistry and
Global Pollution (iCACGP) and the the 11th Science Conference of the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry
(IGAC) Project, “Atmospheric Chemistry: Challenging the Future”, Halifax, Canada (poster) , 11-16 July 2010
Liousse C., C. Galy-Lacaux, G. Uzu, E. Assamoi, A. Ndiaye, B. Diop, H. Cachier, T. Doumbia, M. Ouafo, P. Gueye, N.
Marchand, A. Ehgere, A. Baeza, S. Val, I. George, V. Yoboué, J.P. Lacaux, B. Guinot, B. Guillaume, R. Rosset, P. Castéra,
E. Gardrat, C. Zouiten, C. Jambert, A. Diouf, O. Koita, I. Annesi-Maesano, A. Didier, S. Audry, A. Konaré, K. Pienaar, L.
Sigha, J.F. Léon, E. Afiesimama, Invited paper at the workshop organized by National Association for Clean Air,
Sasolburg, November 2010
2010 - 2013 GDRI ARSAIO Report
p. 16
Mbatha N, Sivakumar V, Malinga S B, Bencherif H, Pillay S R, A. Moorgawa and M.M. Michaelis, Durban Rayleigh Lidar
measurements of stratosphere-mesosphere temperature structure, Proc. of 25th International Laser Radar
Conference, ISBN 978-5-94458-109-9, Saint Pietersburg (Russia), 987-990, 2010
10. Wright, C., Potential Solar UVR health risks in South Africa. Paper presented at the annual South African Society for
Atmospheric Sciences Conference, 21-22 September 2010, Gariep Dam, Free State, 2010
9.
11.
Wright, C., The Solar UVR Exposure Research Environment in South Africa: Past, Present and Future. CSIR Biennial
Conference, August-September, Pretoria, 2010
2011
1.
2.
3.
4.
Liousse C., C. Galy-Lacaux, G. Uzu, E. Assamoi, A. Ndiaye, B. Diop, H. Cachier, T. Doumbia, M. Ouafo, P. Gueye, N.
Marchand, A. Ehgere, A. Baeza, S. Val, I. George, V. Yoboué, J.P. Lacaux, B. Guinot, B. Guillaume, R. Rosset, P. Castéra,
E. Gardrat, C. Zouiten, C. Jambert, A. Diouf, O. Koita, I. Annesi-Maesano, A. Didier, S. Audry, A. Konaré, K. Pienaar, L.
Sigha, J.F. Léon, E. Afiesimama, , Invited paper : Air pollution/health : an Integrated Focus on African cities (Benin, Mali,
Senegal, Cameroon, Nigeria, South Africa ..), Workshop on Atmospheric Chemistry and Health: current knowledge and
future directions », Sponsored by CACGP, IGAC, HEI, WMO, EC, Boston, USA, Novembre 2011
Tummon F., F. Solmon, C. Liousse and M. Tadross, oral presentation at the C4-SAR workshop, Johannesburg, June 2011
Tummon F., F. Solmon, C. Liousse and M. Tadross, the C4-SAR workshop, Johannesburg, June 2011 (oral).
Wright, C. and Albers, P. (2011) Sun-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours among South Africans: pilot study
results. Proceedings SASAS Confernece, ISBN 978-0-620-50849-0., 22-23 September 2011
2012
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Bencherif H., L. El Amraoui, N. Bègue, N. Mzé, A. Pazmino, T. Portafaix, G. Coetzee, V. Sivakumar, G. Held, and F.
Goutail, Total ozone variability and trend estimates from ground-based and satellite observations in the southern
subtropics Quadriennal Ozone Symposium (QOS), Toronto, August 27-31, 2012 (poster)
Beukes P. et al., Anthropogenic atmospheric source region plume characterization in the interior of South Africa, oral
presentation at the international IGAC conference, Beijing, september 2012
Beukes P. et al., Anthropogenic atmospheric source region plume characterization in the interior of South Africa, the
international IGAC conference, Beijing, September 2012 (oral)
Galy-Lacaux C., J.J. Pienaar , J.P. Lacaux, E.H. Conradie, D. Laouali3, C. B. Diop, A.B. Akpo, V. Yoboue, L Sigha, J-P Tathy,
J.P. Beukes, P.G. Van Zyl., Long term monitoring of the chemical composition of precipitation measured at DEBITS sites
in Africa international IGAC conference, Beijing, september 2012.
Kumar R K., and Sivakumar V., Ground based measurements of aerosol intensive properties during summer season
from an AERONET site over South Africa, Proc. of 28th Annual conference of South African society for atmosphere
science, ISBN 978-0-620-53375-1, 26-27 September 2012, Cape Town, (South Africa), Pg, 80-81, 2012
Lacaux J.P., C. Galy-Lacaux, J.J. Pienaar, M. Adon, C. Delon, V. Yoboué, E.H. Conradie, B. Diop, L. Sigha, L. Dungall, J.P.
Beukes, P.G. Van Zyl. Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition Budget in Africa , international IGAC conference, Beijing,
september 2012.
Mbatha N and Sivakumar V., Observations of Cirrus clouds over Elandsfontein (25.9˚S, 29.1˚E) using CSIR-NLC mobile
Lidar and CALIPSO satellite, Proc. of 28th Annual conference of South African society for atmosphere science, ISBN
978-0-620-53375-1, 26-27 September 2012, Cape Town, (South Africa), Pg, 72-73, 2012
Mbatha N, Sivakumar V, Bencherif H and Keckhut P, Simultaneous observation of aerosols using the Durban and
Reunion LIDAR systems , Proc. of 26th International Laser Radar Conference, Porto Heli (Greece), 2012.
Mbatha N., Sivakumar V., Bencherif H., Keckhut P., Simultaneous observation of aerosols using the Durban and
Reunion lidar systems. 26th International Laser Radar Conference (ILRC 26), Porto Heli : Grèce (2012) (poster)
Pienaar J.J. , C. Galy-Lacaux , E.H Conradie , M. Adon , J.P Lacaux , J.P. Beukes , P.G. Van Zyl. Long term measurements
of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ammonia, nitric acid and ozone in Africa using passive samplers, international IGAC
conference, Beijing, September 2012.
Prasanth Parimisetty V., Bencherif H., Sivakumar V., Keckhut P., Hauchecorne A., Narayana Rao D., Lidar observations
of middle atmospheric gravity wave activity over Reunion island (20.8°S, 55.5°E): Climatological study.
26th International Laser Radar Conference (ILRC 26), Porto Heli : Grèce (2012) (poster)
Sivakumar V, Jimmy R and Bencherif H, TREND-RUN model for performing the trend calculation on SAWS (South Africa
Weather Service) atmospheric data, Proc. of 28th Annual conference of South African society for atmosphere science,
ISBN 978-0-620-53375-1, 26-27 September 2012, Cape Town, (South Africa), Pg, 90-91, 2012.
Sivakumar V, Jimmy R and Bencherif H., TREND-RUN model for performing the trend calculation on SAWS (South Africa
Weather Service) atmospheric data, 28th Annual conference of South African society for atmosphere science, ISBN
978-0-620-53375-1, 26-27 September 2012, Cape Town, (South Africa), Pg, 90-91, 2012 (Oral).
Sivakumar V., Mbatha N., Bencherif H., and Keckhut P., Durban lidar for atmospheric studies: current status.
Proc. 26th International Laser Radar Conference (ILRC 26), Porto Heli : Grèce, 2012 (poster)
2010 - 2013 GDRI ARSAIO Report
p. 17
Sivakumar V., Mbatha N., Bencherif H., and Keckhut P., Durban lidar for atmospheric studies: current status.
26th International Laser Radar Conference (ILRC 26), Porto Heli : Grèce, 2012 (poster)
16. Toihir A M, Sivakumar V, Mbatha N and Bencherif H., Studies on CO distribution over South Africa, Madagascar and
Reunion Island using Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES) data, Proc. of 28th Annual conference of South African
society for atmosphere science, ISBN 978-0-620-53375-1, 26-27 September 2012, Cape Town, (South Africa), Pg, 100101, 2012
17. Wright, C., Health implications of solar UV radiation exposure in South Africa. CANSA Solar Radiation Symposium,
Southern Sun Hotel, Kempton Park, 16 August 2012
15.
2013
1.
2.
3.
4.
Bencherif H., T. Portafaix, N. Mzé, G. Kirgis, LiDAR measurments and Stratospheric Ozone, 29th Annual conference of
South African society for atmosphere science, Durban (South Africa), 26-27 September 2013, (invited talk)
Toihir A.M., V. Sivakumar and H. Bencherif, Comparison of Total column ozone measurements from OMI/AURA
satellite and ground based instruments in the southern hemisphere, Proc. of 29th Annual conference of South African
society for atmosphere science, ISBN 978-0-620-56626-1, 26-27 September 2013, Durban (South Africa), Pg, 166-169,
2013.
Walton, Piketh, Formenti, Chevaillier, Triquet and Mkhatshwa, Aerosol Source Apportionment in Lephalale, South
Africa, Proceedings of the 6th IUAPPA World Clean Air Congress, Cape Town, 29 September - 4 October 2013
Wright, CY, Brogniez, C, Ncongwane, KP, Sivakumar V, Coetzee, C, Metzger, J-M, Auriol, F, Deroo, C and Sauvage, B.,
Solar ultraviolet radiation measurements at South African and Reunion Island Coastal Sites: AN Indicator of public sun
protection. Proceedings of SASAS Conference, 2013
c. PhD supervised in the programme
8 PhD have been supervised or co-supervised in the GDRI ARSAIO programme:
Name
University
1
Conradie Elne
UPS, Toulouse
2
MARITZ Petra
NWU, Potchefstroom
3
Mbatha Nkanyiso
UKZN, Durban
4
NAIDOO Seneca
NWU, Potchefstroom
5
Raven Jimmy
6
Supervisor
Co-supervisor
Prof. Paul Beukes
Prof. V. Sivakumar
Prof. H. Bencherif
UKZN, Durban
Prof. V. Sivakumar
Prof. H. Bencherif
TOIHIR Mohamed
UR, Reunion
Prof. H. Bencherif
Prof. V. Sivakumar
7
TUMMON Fiona
UPS Toulouse and UCT, Cape Town
Prof. F. Solmon
Prof. B. Hewitson
8
WALTON Nicola
NWU, Potchefstroom
Prof. S. Piketh
d. Workshop/Conference organisation
During phase-1 of GDRI ARSAIO (2010-2013), French and South-African partners collaborated in organising joint
research conferences and educational summer schools for students and young scientists in Remote Sensing and
Atmospheric Sciences. Here fellows the complete list:
-
GDRI ARSAIO special session in the SASAS annual conference at Garip Dam, Free State, South Africa
2010 GDRI ARSAIO Workshop, Garip Dam, Free State, South Africa
2011 annual RS Summer School: Reunion student visit to South Africa (Pretoria)
2012 annual RS Summer School: Reunion student visit to South Africa (Western Cape)
2012 GDRI ARSAIO Workshop, Maïdo Observatory, Saint-Paul, Reunion Island, France
Atmospheric Remote Sensing Education and Training workshop, Sept. 2013, UKZN, Durban
2013 GDRI ARSAIO Workshop, NWU, Potchefstroom, South Africa
2013 annual RS Summer School: Reunion student visit to South Africa (Durban)
 
2010 - 2013 GDRI ARSAIO Report
p. 18
BUDGET REQUIREMENTS (SOUTH AFRICA)
Due to exchange rate and financial inflations, we have to raise the budget level from the one
submitted four years ago. The revised budget is as follows;
1. BUDGET DETAILS FOR SOUTH AFRICAN FUNDING (in Rand)
Travel, accommodation and subsistence allowance (add rows where required)
Description
1st Year
2nd Year
3rd Year
4th Year
Airfare (SA researchers) (including Visa fee) :
Visits to Reunion / France
1 (time) x 8 (persons) x 12000 R
96000.00
96000.00
96000.00
96000.00
Visits within RSA (between research institutes)
25000.00
25000.00
25000.00
25000.00
36000.00
36000.00
36000.00
36000.00
30000.00
30000.00
30000.00
30000.00
187000.00
187000.00
187000.00
187000.00
Accommodation (French & other researchers):
Hosting cost for French Scientists and students
1 (time) X 8 (persons) x 5 days x 900.0 R
Subsistence (French & other researchers Amount per day & Number of Days):
1 (time) x 8 (persons) x 5 days x 750.0 R
TOTAL
Costs for joint seminars and symposia (where applicable – add rows where required)
Item Description
Cost
Video Conferences ( once in a year and for the first 3 years ) RSA : 2 x 45,000
90000.00
Meeting venue, Catering and other logistics cost including local transport (Workshop or
Seminar) – Once in a year (2 x 75 000 R) 2 times in RSA and 2 times in France (see.
French budget for it)
150000.00
TOTAL
240000.00
2010 - 2013 GDRI ARSAIO Report
p. 19
2. BUDGET FOR THE WHOLE PROJECT (SOUTH AFRICAN) IN RANDS
South African Side
1st Year
Travel, accommodation and subsistence
allowance:
Seminar/Workshop:
187000.00
Grand Total for 4 years :
2010 - 2013 GDRI ARSAIO Report
3rd Year
4th year
187000.00
187000.00
187000.00
75000.00
Video Conference
TOTAL
2nd Year
262000.00
75000.00
45000.00
45000.00
232000.00
232000.00
262000.00
988,000.00 ZAR
p. 20