Near-Surface Air Temperature Profile in Maritime Antarctica (2006–2023)

Abstract

This dataset comprises vertical arrays of air temperature measurements collected on Livingston and Deception Islands, Antarctica, between 2006 and early 2024. The arrays, part of the PERMATHERMAL network integrated into the Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost (GTN-P) database, were designed to support studies on permafrost thermal regimes and snow cover dynamics. Standard configurations included temperature sensors placed at heights of 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 cm above the ground, mounted on wooden masts to minimise thermal interference. Higher-resolution configuration with up to 15 vertical measurements (between 2.5 and 160 cm above the ground surface) and miniature configuration with 8 sensors (between 2.5 and 40 cm above the ground surface) were also occasionally deployed for spatial-specific studies. Data were mainly recorded using iButton DS1921G (Miniature configuration) and DS1922L (standard and high-resolution configurations) temperature loggers (Maxim Integrated). Despite occasional gaps due to energy depletion or device damage, the dataset provides reliable long-term monitoring in a region where such measurements are logistically challenging. Originally acquired to estimate seasonal snow thickness through the analysis of vertical thermal gradients, the dataset has broader applications. These include investigating snowpack thermophysical properties, ground-atmosphere energy exchanges, snow hydrology, ecological processes, and remote sensing calibration. Raw data in American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) format, without filtering or preprocessing, are made available to ensure flexibility for diverse research needs, allowing users to apply tailored cleaning and analysis protocols. The dataset is particularly valuable for addressing the scarcity of observational air temperature data in Antarctica. It provides a ground-based complement to satellite measurements and supports studies on snow-atmosphere interactions, soil thermal regimes, and the micrometeorology of polar environments. This unique resource facilitates multidisciplinary research across cryospheric science, hydrology, ecology, and remote sensing, offering insights into processes in extreme environments. The contribution of these long-term measurements highlights the importance of accessible, high-resolution datasets to advance understanding of Antarctica's complex environmental systems.