Signature of increasing total column water vapour and surface temperature at Maitri, Antarctica

Measurement of total column water vapour has been carried out at Maitri (70°45'S, 11°44'E), Antarctica using Microtop sun-photometer during the 16th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd Indian Antarctic Scientific Expedition. The annual mean water vapour was found out to be 0.24 cm in 1997, while it was 0.42 cm in 2002 and 0.45 cm in 2003. Monthly mean water vapour was maximum during January in all years studied and increased by 48.8% in 2002, 57.7% in 2003 and 66.6% in 2004, compared to 1997. Total column water vapour corresponding to surface temperature has also been studied. Years 2002 and 2003 were found to be warmer by 11.72 and 4.1% respectively compared to the year 1997. The observation showed signature of increasing total column water vapour at Maitri. Measurement also showed increase in surface temperature and was especially pronounced in the month of January at Maitri. In the present communication, a comparative study of water vapour and surface temperature is discussed in detail.