I joined the British Antarctic Survey in 2008 after working for CNRS at the Institut des Géosciences de l’Environnement in Grenoble/France (2006-08). I received my PhD in Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Arizona  in Tucson AZ / USA (1999-2005), and prior to that a MSc in Hydrology from the Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg / Germany (1993-99).

Web of Science ResearcherID   |  ORCID

Research interests

My research is about physical and chemical air-snow exchange processes to gain a better understanding of how snow and ice surfaces influence atmospheric composition and oxidation capacity, and ultimately climate, with a focus on tropospheric ozone, the nitrogen and sulfur cycle, halogen chemistry, as well as aerosol formation and growth. Further aims are to quantify the preservation of chemical trace species in snow and ice to develop proxies of atmospheric composition in the past using ice cores.

Opportunities – please inquire via email.

Graduate Students & Post-Doctoral Fellows

2023-27  Megan Malpas – PhD student

2022-24  Ananth Ranjithkumar – PostDoc; now PostDoc at U Exeter, UK

2021-22  Simran Chopra – Intern; now PhD student at KIT, Germany

2020-24  Millie Bond – PhD student

2017-19   Alison Ming – Postdoc; now NERC Independent Research Fellow, U Cambridge, UK

2016-19   Holly Winton – Postdoc; now Senior Research Fellow, Antarctic Research Centre, NZ

2017-18   Lisa Hauge – Lab Analyst

2013-17   Hoi Ga ‘Veronica’ Chan – PhD student; Postdoc, U Princeton, USA; now senior advisor at Port of London Authority

2014-15   Shital Rohekar – Postdoc

2008-14   Sylvain Masclin – PhD student; now lecturer, UC Merced, USA

Publications from NERC Open Research Archive

Web of Science ResearcherID   |   ORCID

Publications not on NERC Open Research Archive

• Morin, S., Savarino, J., Frey, M. M., Domine, F., Jacobi, H.-W., Kaleschke, L., and Martins, J. M. F.: Comprehensive isotopic composition of atmospheric nitrate in the Atlantic Ocean boundary layer from 65º S to 79º N, J. Geophys. Res., 114, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JD010696, 2009.
• Banta, J. R., McConnell, J. R., Frey, M. M., Bales, R. C., and Taylor, K.: Spatial and temporal variability in snow accumulation at the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide over recent centuries, J. Geophys. Res., 113, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JD010235, 2008.
• Morin, S., Savarino, J., Frey, M. M., Yan, N., Bekki, S., Bottenheim, J. W., and Martins, J. M. F.: Tracing the Origin and Fate of NO_x in the Arctic Atmosphere Using Stable Isotopes in Nitrate, Science, 322, 730-732, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1161910, 2008.
• Dibb, J. E., et al. inc. Frey, M. M.: An overview of air-snow exchange at Summit, Greenland: Recent experiments and findings, Atmos. Environ., 41, 4995-5006, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2006.12.006, 2007.
• Hamer, P. D., Shallcross, D. E., and Frey, M. M.: Modelling the impact of oxygenated VOC and meteorology upon the boundary layer photochemistry at the South Pole, Atm. Sci. Lett., 8, 14-20, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/asl.144, 2007.
• Frey, M. M., Bales, R. C., and McConnell, J. R.: Climate sensitivity of the century-scale hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) record preserved in 23 ice cores from West Antarctica, J. Geophys. Res., 111,DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2005JD006816, 2006.
• Bertler, N., et al. inc. Frey, M. M.: Snow Chemistry across Antarctica, Ann. Glaciol., 41, 167-179, 2005.
• Davis, C. H., Li, Y., McConnell, J. R., Frey, M. M., and Hanna, E.: Snowfall-Driven Growth in East Antarctic Ice Sheet Mitigates Recent Sea-Level Rise, Science, 308, 1898-1901, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1110662, 2005.
• Frey, M. M., Stewart, R. W., McConnell, J. R., and Bales, R. C.: Atmospheric hydroperoxides in West Antarctica: links to stratospheric ozone and atmospheric oxidation capacity, J. Geophys. Res., 110, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2005JD006110, 2005.
• Steig, E. J., Mayewski, P. A., Dixon, D., Kaspari, S., Frey, M. M., Schneider, D. P., Arcone, S. A., and Hamilton, G. S.: High-resolution ice cores from US ITASE (West Antarctica): development and validation of chronologies and determination of precision and accuracy, Ann. Glaciol., 41, 77-84, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3189/172756405781813311, 2005.
• Dassau, T. M., Sumner, A. L., Koeniger, S. L., Shepson, P. B., Yang, J., Honrath, R. E., Cullen, N. J., Steen, K., Jacobi, H. W., Frey, M. M., and Bales, R. C.: Investigation of the Role of the Snowpack on Atmospheric Formaldehyde Chemistry at Summit, Greenland, J. Geophys. Res., 107, D19, 4394-4407, DOI: https://doi.org/:10.1029/2002JD002182, 2002.
• Jacobi, H.-W., Frey, M. M., Hutterli, M. A., Bales, R. C., Schrems, O., Cullen, N. J., Steffen, K., and Koehler, C.: Measurements of hydrogen peroxide and formaldehyde exchange between the atmosphere and surface snow at Summit, Greenland, Atmos. Environ., 36, 2619-2628, DOI: https://doi.org/:10.1016/S1352-2310(02)00106-1, 2002.
• Uhlenbrook, S., Frey, M. M., Leibundgut, C., and Maloszewski, P.: Hydrograph separations in a mesoscale mountainous basin at event and seasonal timescales, Water Resour. Res., 38, DOI: https://doi.org/:10.1029/2001WR000938, 2002.
• Yang, J., Honrath, R. E., Peterson, M. C., Dibb, J. E., Sumner, A. L., Shepson, P. B., Frey, M., Jacobi, H. W., Swanson, A., and Blake, N.: Impacts of snowpack emissions on deduced levels of OH and peroxy radicals at Summit, Greenland, Atmos. Environ., 36, 2523-2534, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1352-2310(02)00128-0, 2002.
• Gioda, A., Serrano, C. and Frey, M.: Water and silver in Potosi (Bolivia), La Houille Blanche, 53(7), 65-75, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/lhb/1998083, 1998

• Frey, M., Wagner, D., Kirchgaessner, A., Uttal, T., & Shupe, M. (2023). Atmospheric snow particle flux in the Central Arctic during MOSAiC 2019-20 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/7d8e401b-2c75-4ee4-a753-c24b7e91e6e9

• Bond, A., Squires, F., Frey, M., & Kaiser, J. (2023). Atmospheric nitrous acid amount fraction at Halley in January and February 2022 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. NERC EDS UK Polar Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/94b2f348-d6cc-4bcd-b921-5c0928ab3c2d

• Frey, M., & Nomura, D. (2019). Salinity profiles of snow on sea ice and sea ice in the Arctic Ocean during winter 2015 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/6ed9f4ea-6b89-4059-84e3-5c4118b68db9

• Yang, X. (2019). Modelling and observed sea salt aerosol in the Weddell Sea (June-August 2013) (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/8838b0b7-20b7-46bb-8cf1-b853290b2035

• Winton, V., Frey, M., Hauge, L., Caillon, N., & Savarino, J. (2019). Major ion chemistry and stable nitrate isotopic composition of aerosol, skin layer snow and snow pits at Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/1467b446-54eb-45c1-8a31-f4af21e60e60

• Winton, V., Caillon, N., Hauge, L., Mulvaney, R., Rix, J., Savarino, J., Tuckwell, R., & Frey, M. (2019). Ice core chemistry, density, conductivity, dust, snow accumulation rate, and stable nitrate isotopic composition of the 120 m ISOL-ICE ice core, Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/9c972cfb-0ffa-4144-a943-da6eb82431d2

• Winton, V., Caillon, N., Hauge, L., Mulvaney, R., Rix, J., Savarino, J., Tuckwell, R., & Frey, M. (2019). Ice core chemistry, conductivity, and stable nitrate isotopic composition of the Samalas eruption in 1259 from the ISOL-ICE ice core, Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/d9a74ea7-2a1a-4068-847e-5bc9f51947c5

• Frey, M., Norris, S., Brooks, I., Anderson, P., Nishimura, K., Yang, X., Jones, A., Nerentorp Mastromonaco, M., Jones, D., & Wolff, E. (2019). Concentration, size distribution and chemical composition of snow particles, sea salt aerosol and snow on sea ice in the Weddell Sea (Antarctica) during austral winter/spring 2013 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.5285/853dd176-bc7a-48d4-a6be-33bcc0f17eeb

• Frey, M. (2017). Salinity profiles of snow on sea ice in the Weddell Sea (Antarctica) during austral winter 2013 (Version 1.0) [Data set]. Polar Data Centre; British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council; Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK.. https://doi.org/10.5285/c0261633-fd14-4d45-a58d-72998816c4cd

1. ANTARCTICA INSYNC

   ANTARCTICA INSYNC brings together researchers from around the world including British Antarctic Survey to study the continent and the Southern Ocean at the same time.

   Read more of: ANTARCTICA INSYNC

   

2. Investigating mixotrophy in Antarctic cycles

   MACS looks at Antarctica’s rapidly changing seasonal sea ice. As the planet warms microalgae growing in ice and water are affected and this, in turn, affects our climate system.

   Read more of: Investigating mixotrophy in Antarctic cycles

   

3. How sea ice and snow regulate climate

   CRiceS investigates the rapid decline of sea ice and its links to physical and chemical changes in polar oceans and the atmosphere.

   Read more of: How sea ice and snow regulate climate

   

4. Antarctic surface mass and energy exchanges

   SURFEIT unites UK and international scientists to study Antarctic ice and atmosphere interactions, improve sea-level projections, and support climate action.

   Read more of: Antarctic surface mass and energy exchanges

   

5. Sea salt aerosols and Arctic climate

   SSAASI-CLIM attempts to determine the salt sea aerosol source, fate and potential impact on Arctic climate associated with blowing snow above sea ice and other sea ice sources.

   Read more of: Sea salt aerosols and Arctic climate

   

6. Sea salt aerosols from blowing snow

   ABSCISSA investigated the sources of sea-salt aerosols in polar regions during Arctic and Antarctic winter.

   Read more of: Sea salt aerosols from blowing snow

   

7. ISOL-ICE

   This project collected a shallow ice core from East Antarctic Plateau to reconstruct past ultraviolet radiation and therefore the ozone layer for the past 1,000 yr by measuring the isotopes of nitrogen and oxygen in the nitrate ion.

   Read more of: ISOL-ICE

   

Past Projects

• 2010-2015   Oxidant Production in Antarctic Lands and Export (OPALE). (see ACP special issue)
• 2007-2012   Atmospheric, Snow and Firn Chemistry Studies for Interpretation of WAIS Divide cores
• 2007-2010  Nitrate Evolution in surface snow at Dome C (NITEDC)
• 1999-2003  U.S. International Trans-Antarctic Expedition (U.S. ITASE)

1. MOSAiC Blog: Approaching RV Polarstern

   Dr Markus Frey is on board Russian icebreaker Kapitan Dranitsyn, making the final approach through the Arctic sea ice to join the MOSAiC expedition on board RV Polarstern. German research icebreaker RV Polarstern is staying […]

   Read more of: MOSAiC Blog: Approaching RV Polarstern

   

2. MOSAiC Blog: Storm on the Barents Sea

   Dr Markus Frey is on board Russian icebreaker Kapitan Dranitsyn, waiting for a weather window to make the journey north to join the MOSAiC expedition on board RV Polarstern. German […]

   Read more of: MOSAiC Blog: Storm on the Barents Sea

   

3. MOSAiC Blog: Sea ice rescue training

   Atmosphere and ice climate scientist Dr Markus Frey is on his way to join the MOSAiC (Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate) expedition. Markus will be using […]

   Read more of: MOSAiC Blog: Sea ice rescue training

   

4. MOSAiC Blog: Last preparations in Tromsø

   The BAS SSAASI-CLIM team arrived in Tromsø a few days ago to set up equipment onboard of RV Polarstern. On Friday 20 Sep 2019 the German ice breaker will embark […]

   Read more of: MOSAiC Blog: Last preparations in Tromsø

   

5. ISOL-ICE Lab Blog: Visiting IGE in Grenoble

   A new blog from the ISOL-ICE project team describes recent progress in the lab. Read the team’s earlier blog here. Holly Winton and Lisa Hauge have completed now with great success their […]

   Read more of: ISOL-ICE Lab Blog: Visiting IGE in Grenoble

   

6. ANTARCTIC BLOG: Working on the Polar Plateau

   Ice core drilling is a large complex operation to firstly get the equipment out into the field, assemble it, drill intact columns of ice and then process the collected ice for analysis. Markus Frey explains.

   Read more of: ANTARCTIC BLOG: Working on the Polar Plateau

   

7. ARCTIC BLOG: Setting foot back on land

   Diary entry: Friday 27 March 2015 Time: 2200 hrs UTC Position: 78° 13′ N / 15° 33′ E Air Temperature: +1.5 °C Wind Speed: 8 knots We made it! After 38 days onboard the […]

   Read more of: ARCTIC BLOG: Setting foot back on land

   

8. ARCTIC BLOG: Total solar eclipse

   Diary entry: Friday 20 March 2015 Time: 1200 hrs UTC Position: 81° 44.23′ N / 19° 36.9′ E Air Temperature: −27.4 °C Wind Speed: 14 knots Nature is displaying a magnificent and […]

   Read more of: ARCTIC BLOG: Total solar eclipse

   

9. ARCTIC BLOG: Enduring an Arctic storm

   Diary entry: Wednesday 18 March 2015 Time: 2237 hrs UTC Position: 82° 34.7′ N / 22° 43.6′ E Air Temperature: −32.6 °C Wind Speed: 12 knots The storm lasted not even 48 hours, […]

   Read more of: ARCTIC BLOG: Enduring an Arctic storm

   

10. ARCTIC BLOG: Climbing to the Crow’s Nest

    Diary entry: Friday 13 March 2015 Time: 1400 hrs UTC Position: 82° 52.1′ N / 21° 15.1′ E Air Temperature: −25.6 °C Wind Speed: 4.9 knots Since more than two and a half […]

    Read more of: ARCTIC BLOG: Climbing to the Crow’s Nest

    

11. ARCTIC BLOG: Shimmering lights in the polar night

    Diary entry: Sunday 22 February 2015 Time: 2220 hrs UTC Position: 82° 35′ N / 29° 24′ E Air Temperature: −26.1 °C Wind Speed: 19.3 knots The Norwegian research vessel, […]

    Read more of: ARCTIC BLOG: Shimmering lights in the polar night

    

1. Clouds formed with sea salt contribute to Arctic warming

   Scientists studying Arctic warming have shared new evidence that sea salt aerosols from “blowing snow” play a significant role in forming clouds that reflect solar radiation back to the Earth’s surface.

   Read more of: Clouds formed with sea salt contribute to Arctic warming

   

2. High levels of pollutants in Antarctic snow

   Scientists have recorded markedly increased levels of ‘fluorinated forever chemicals’ in Antarctic snow which are thought to have originated from the use of CFC-replacements.

   Read more of: High levels of pollutants in Antarctic snow

   

3. Deep insight into Arctic from MOSAiC expedition

   New research papers from the one-year MOSAiC expedition to study the Arctic have yielded new understanding about the region. Hundreds of international researchers are currently analysing observations from the MOSAiC […]

   Read more of: Deep insight into Arctic from MOSAiC expedition

   

4. Polar medals awarded to BAS staff

   Three British Antarctic Survey (BAS) staff have been awarded the Polar Medal. The announcement was published last week (Friday 28 January) in the London Gazette. Melody Clark is a molecular […]

   Read more of: Polar medals awarded to BAS staff

   

5. New project to understand polar processes in global climate system

   British Antarctic Survey researchers will work on a new Horizon 2020 project to advance their understanding of polar processes in the global climate system. The CRiceS project, or Climate relevant […]

   Read more of: New project to understand polar processes in global climate system

   

6. Locked into ice: My scientific journey across the Arctic

   What does it feel like to be locked in ice, drifting across the Central Arctic Ocean in the middle of the polar night? Why is it both fascinating and challenging […]

   Read more of: Locked into ice: My scientific journey across the Arctic

   

7. BAS scientist joins research ship ‘drifting’ past North Pole

   UK scientists will join what could be the largest-scale Arctic research expedition ever planned when the German research ship, RV Polarstern, is deliberately lodged into sea ice to drift past […]

   Read more of: BAS scientist joins research ship ‘drifting’ past North Pole

   

8. ANTARCTIC BLOG: Working on the Polar Plateau

   A new blog post from a team comprising polar atmosphere and ice chemist Holly Winton, analytical chemist Rebecca Tuckwell and atmospheric and glaciochemist Markus Frey who are working on the […]

   Read more of: ANTARCTIC BLOG: Working on the Polar Plateau

   

9. BLOG: Arriving at the Polar plateau

   A new blog post from atmospheric and glaciochemist Markus Frey who’s just arrived on the Polar plateau as part of the ISOL-ice research project. Read the team’s earlier post here. […]

   Read more of: BLOG: Arriving at the Polar plateau

   

10. FEATURED PAPER: Improving air quality models

    Recent research in polar and non-polar regions showed that sun-lit snow packs are important chemical reactors and reservoirs, which strongly influence air quality of the lower atmosphere and likely also […]

    Read more of: FEATURED PAPER: Improving air quality models

    

11. NEWS STORY: Live link to the Arctic

    Digital Explorer launches virtual adventure on the ice at the UK Arctic Research Station The British Antarctic Survey is proud to support Digital Explorer’s second visit to the UK Arctic […]

    Read more of: NEWS STORY: Live link to the Arctic

    

12. NEWS STORY: Frozen in to the Arctic winter

    Extreme science in extreme conditions: frozen in to the Arctic winter Dr Markus Frey, a British Antarctic Survey (BAS) ice and atmospheric scientist, is living and working aboard the Norwegian […]

    Read more of: NEWS STORY: Frozen in to the Arctic winter

    

13. NEWS STORY: BAS to host workshop

    British Antarctic Survey hosts Chemical Air-Snow-Sea Ice Interaction workshop in Cambridge More than 60 scientists from over 15 countries are attending a workshop in Cambridge this week (13-15 October) to […]

    Read more of: NEWS STORY: BAS to host workshop

    

CATCH – Cryosphere and Atmospheric Chemistry

CATCH is a new science activity endorsed by IGAC (International Global Atmospheric Chemistry) and SOLAS (Surface Ocean – Lower Atmosphere Study). The main objective of CATCH is to facilitate trans-disciplinary and international research related to atmospheric chemistry in cold regions. Get involved with CATCH and sign up to the mailing list.

• SSC member, The Cryosphere and ATmospheric CHemistry (CATCH)
• Member, American Geophysical Union (AGU)
• Member, European Geosciences Union (EGU)
• Member, Peer Review College - Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
• Associate Editor, Frontiers in Earth Sciences - Cryospheric Sciences
• STEM Ambassador, STEMNET
• Honorary Lecturer, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia