10th WMO/UNEP Ozone Research Managers Meeting
Geneva, 28-30 March 2017
Thailand
1.
OBSERVATIONAL ACTIVITIES
1.1 Column measurements of ozone and other gases/variables relevant to ozone loss.
Since 1979, Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has carried out ozone observation with
Dobson spectrophotometer No.90 in Bangkok under WMO/GAW programme. In 1996, two
Brewer spectrophotometer (MKIV) No.121 and Brewer spectrophotometer (MKIV) No. 120 were
additionally installed to measure total ozone, umkehr ozone profile, ultraviolet radiation and
aerosol optical depth in Bangkok (13.667812°N, 100.605289°E) and Songkhla ( 7.184520°N,
100.604701° E) respectively. In 2009, TMD solar network in Bangkok was implemented further
for ground-based measurements such as global/diffuse/direct/broadband UVA/UVB radiation,
sky images, and physical properties of aerosols.
Figure 1.1 Station map for Dobson 90, Brewer 121 and Brewer 120
Another laboratory by Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University (SU)
has studied total ozone using Microtop ozonometer at Nakhon Pathom since 2010.
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1.2 Profile measurements of ozone and other gases/variables relevant to ozone loss
Umkehr ozone profiles have been measured with Dobson#90, Brewer #121 and Brewer
#120. Recently, a campaign for ozonesonde observations has been initiated with collaboration
between Silpakorn University and Thai Meteorological Department using ECC sensors during
January 2014- May 2015.
1.3
UV measurements
UV measurements have been carried out by TMD in two GAW stations;
1.3.1. Bangkok, station number 216, Brewer #121,1996- present
A broadband UVA/UVB radiometer, during 2009-2015
1.3.2. Songkhla, station number 345, Brewer #120,1996- present
SU’s laboratory has also studied UV radiation at Nakhon Pathom using a Bentham
spectroradiometer and UV Biometers (since 1998) and GUV-2511 radiometers have been used
to monitoring ultraviolet radiation at Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Pathom and
Songkhla (since 2008).
1.4
Calibration activities
With supports from WMO and JMA, Dobson #90 was taken to participate the
Inter-Comparison at Tsukuba in 1996, 2006 and 2016. The Brewers were calibrated at Bangkok
and Songkhla with Brewer#017 by IOS in 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2014.
2.
RESULTS FROM OBSERVATIONS AND ANALYSIS
A figure show long term trend for total ozone measured in Bangkok during 1980-2016.
Figure 2.1. Daily average of total ozone measured with Dobson No.90 in Bangkok
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A study has compared total ozone measurements with Dobson, Brewer OMI and ozonesonde and
showed the result of seasonal variation and consistency as the figure below:
Figure 2.2. Seasonal daily variation of various quantities during the period 01/01/2014 to 31/05/2015 at the
study site (13° 39′ 58.57″ N, 100° 36′ 21.44″ E): A) Daily column ozone obtained from Dobson
spectrophotometer, Brewer spectrophotometer, ozonesonde and OMI/AURA satellite.
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Figure 2.3. Ozone soundings showing mixing ratios in the bottom 3000 m of the atmosphere for A) the
wet season from May-October, 2014 and B) the dry season from November 2014 to April 2015. Circles
denote localised maxima.
3.
THEORY, MODELLING, AND OTHER OZONE RELATED RESEARCH
There were investigating studies for total ozone and UV prediction. A study in 2004 were
related to empirically erythemal UV models which using ground-based Dobson and/or Brewer
spectrophotometer and TOMS/OMI ozone data, aerosol optical depth and other meteorological
parameters as inputs for UV calculation. The empirical has been used coupled with radiative
transfer (STAR) model in operational UV index forecasting.
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4.
DISSEMINATION OF RESULTS
Results of monitoring of ozone, solar UV radiation and others are disseminated to data
centers, governmental and private sectors, educational institutes and public by documentary
and in a website (http://ozone.tmd.go.th/)
4.1 Data reporting
Dobson and Brewer data are regularly submitted to World Ozone and Ultraviolet Data
Centre by monthly. Solar radiation is submitted to World Radiation Data Centre. Sky radiometer
raw data are submitted to SKYNET (http://atmos2.cr.chiba-u.jp/skynet/).
4.2 Information to the public
UV index forecasts are published in a website:
Figure 4.2. UV index forecast for Thailand (http://ozone.tmd.go.th/UV_index.htm)
4.3 Relevant scientific papers
4.3.1
4.3.2
4.3.3
4.3.4
Janjai et al. (2016) Meteorological factors affecting lower tropospheric ozone mixing ratios in
Bangkok, Thailand Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics 147, P. 76–89.
Sudhibrabha S, Exell RHB, Sukawat D (2006) Ultraviolet Forecasting in Thailand, ScienceAsia Vol.
32 No 2, pp. 107-114.
Sudhibrabha S, Exell RHB, Sukawat D (2004) Preliminary Forecast of Ozone and UV over
Thailand, Proceedings of the XX Quadrennial Ozone Symposium, 1-8 June 2004, Kos, Greece, pp.
1157-1158.
Vanichnukroh P, Sukawat D, Sudhibrabha S (2004) Ozone Profile in the Climate of Thailand,
Proceedings of the JGSEE and Kyoto University Joint International Conference on "Sustainable Energy and
Environment (SEE)", 1‐3 December 2004, Hua Hin, Thailand.
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5.
PROJECTS, COLLABORATION, TWINNING AND CAPACITY BUILDING
Mission in ozone monitoring and research in Thailand has been responsible by TMD. There
is also collaboration with universities in particular projects.
For capacity building, some staffs from TMD received financial support from WMO in
participating the 14th WMO-GAW Brewer User’s Workshop, 24-28 March 2014 in Santa Cruz,
Tenerife and and 15th EUBrewnet & WMO-GAW Brewer Operator Course,4-9 September 2016,
Edinburgh. Some were supported in participating the 8th GAWTEC in 2004 and 10th GAWTEC
in 2005.
6.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 9th OZONE RESEARCH
MANAGERS MEETING
There were some difficulties that interrupted continuation or delay of ozone data
submission to WOUDC due to instrumentation problems especially Brewer spectrophotometer.
These problems are to be improved.
7.
FUTURE PLANS
Public sectors have raised more questions and interests on ozone changing and UV
levels. TMD has a strategy to strengthen public service relating to high level of solar UV, its
impacts and health protection.
TMD will extend the Brewer network to be covered four regions of the country in the
next few years.
There is a research project to improve ozone and UV forecasting and development a
mobile App for users.
8.
NEEDS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Although the government has capability to support ozone and UV monitoring activities,
implementation by the Trust Fund for Dobson/Brewer Inter-Comparison/calibrations and
educational training would be highly appreciation. Additionally, TMD’s working team should to
join closer working with the ozone community. TMD would encourage and welcome external
experts or partnership.
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