Continuous Cape Verde Atmospheric Observatory Observations

Data from observations made at the Cape Verde Atmospheric Observatory (CVAO) which exists to advance understanding of climatically significant interactions between the atmosphere and ocean and to provide a regional focal point and long-term data. The observatory is based on Calhau Island of São Vicente Cape Verde at 16.848N, 24.871W, in the tropical Eastern North Atlantic Ocean, a region which is data poor but plays a key role in atmosphere-ocean interactions of climate-related and biogeochemical parameters including greenhouse gases. It is an open-ocean site that is representative of a region likely to be sensitive to future climate change, and is minimally influenced by local effects and intermittent continental pollution. The dataset collection contains mixing ratio measurements of Ozone, CO, ethane, propane, iso-butane, acetylene, iso-pentane, and halocarbons. Meteorological measurements (wind speed, wind direction, atmospheric pressure, air temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, rainfall) and aerosol concentrations are also contained in the data set. The Cape Verde Observatory was previously used during the SOLAS (Surface Ocean / Lower Atmosphere Study) project, from which the present day continuous observations have evolved. As such the earlier SOLAS measurements are also included within this collection. Additionally, back trajectory plots for the site are also within this collection.