Mace Head Atmospheric Research Station
Mace Head Atmospheric Research Station | |
|---|---|
Ireland | |
Location of Mace Head Atmospheric Research Station in Ireland | |
| Coordinates: 53°19′36″N 9°54′17″W / 53.3267°N 9.9046°W | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Region | Carna, County Galway |
| Established | 1987 |
| Status | Operational |
| Station Manager | Gerry Spain |
| Time zone | UTC+0 |
| Annual rainfall | 1,200mm |
| Average air temperature | 10 degrees Celsius |
| Sea temperature | 10 degrees Celsius in winter, 15 degrees Celsius in summer |
| Infrastructure and facilities | These include:
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Mace Head Atmospheric Research Station is located on the west coast of Ireland, and is one of the longest running mercury recording stations in the world. The station's location is important as it is far away from neighbouring cities, to ensure no pollutants interfere with recordings, and its location is suitable for studying the atmosphere under Northern Hemispheric and European conditions. The station has the dual status of being a World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Global Atmosphere Watch (GMO) station and a European Monitoring and Evaluation Program (EMEP) supersite. Mace Head research and monitor the climate and atmospheric composition, focusing on aerosol-cloud interactions and mercury readings.