CORSiCA
PCOA : Plateforme CORSiCA d'Observations Atmosphériques
The CORSiCA Platform for Atmospheric Observations (PCOA) of the Aerology Laboratory is located in Corsica on about fifteen sites to respond to the different themes studied by participants from several research laboratories recognised at European level for their work on meteorology, air quality and climate change. Their aim is to improve understanding of the environmental functioning of the western Mediterranean basin under the pressure of global change in order to predict its future evolution. The main objective is to improve knowledge in the fields of atmospheric physics and chemistry directly related to climate. The main themes dealt with are intense weather events, precipitation, lightning, air pollution, greenhouse gases, fine particles, etc.
The creation of the platform was financed in large part by the Corsican Territorial Collectivity, the State and Europe (as part of the ERDF 2007-2013 OP). It participates in national and international research programmes and offers innovative direct applications useful for the decision-making needs of public authorities. Its maintenance in operational conditions is supported by the Collectivité de Corse.
The PCOA is a permanent structure that also hosts research projects, such as, between 2012 and 2014, the measurement campaigns of the HyMeX (Hydrological cycle in the Mediterranean Experiment) and ChArMEx (Chemistry-Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment) projects of the “Mediterranean project” called “MISTRALS” (Mediterranean Integrated STudies at Regional And Local Scales). HyMeX aims to improve the characterisation and understanding of the water cycle in the Mediterranean basin; ChArMEx aims to provide a current and future assessment of the atmospheric chemical environment (particulate and short-lived gaseous reactive species) in the Mediterranean basin, and its regional impacts on climate, air quality, and marine biogeochemistry In September-October 2018, the PCOA hosted the measurement campaign of the ANR EXAEDRE project dedicated to the study of atmospheric electrical phenomena.