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Updated 17 September 2008
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Atmospheric Composition |
| USGCRP
Home Focus Area
Atmospheric Composition Near-Term Plans |
| Search |
|
Updated 17 September 2008
|
Atmospheric Composition |
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Atmospheric CompositionNear-Term Plans Archived News Postings [June 2000 - July 2005] CCSP / USGCRP Atmospheric Composition Working Group Members
Past Accomplishments:
Climate Change Science Program. FY 2008 Scientific Research Budget by USGCRP Research Element |
HIGHLIGHTS OF PLANS FOR FY 2009CCSP will continue to gather and analyze information through measurement, modeling, and assessment studies to enhance understanding of atmospheric composition and of the processes affecting atmospheric chemistry. The general emphasis will continue to be on quantifying the effects of aerosols and non-CO2 greenhouse gases on climate. In FY 2009, the following research activities will be emphasized to meet the overall priority.
Analysis of International Polar Year Data Sets. Research across several agencies will focus on analyzing data sets gathered during the 2008 spring and summer experiments to study Arctic aerosols and their connections to clouds, radiation, and ice melting. Measurements from satellites, aircraft, and the surface were made to assess the influences of long-range pollution transported to the Arctic environment, the so-called Arctic haze. Specific areas of scientific investigation include the effects of Arctic haze on ozone chemistry and ice melting; studies of the influence of boreal forest fires on the Arctic climate; and an evaluation of aerosol/cloud influences in the Arctic. This activity will address Questions 3.1 and 3.3 of the CCSP Strategic Plan. Utilization of Ground-Based Measurement Networks for Climate and Ozone Studies. Retrievals of atmospheric particulate absorption from AERONET will continue to be utilized in climate forcing studies and in the validation of current and future satellite missions, such as the Glory mission (2009 launch) that will measure sunlight absorption by aerosols. Network expansion will continue, with a focus on inadequately sampled regions that are important for understanding global climate change, such as China (both the polluted eastern regions and the western deserts that are a source of dust storms). An experimental effort is underway to investigate the sensitivity of groundbased instruments for nighttime measurements using moonlight. Studies using the Micro Pulse Lidar Network data will focus on the influence of polar stratospheric clouds on ozone destruction over the Antarctic and on the impacts of Arctic haze on polar climate. This activity will address Questions 3.1 and 3.3 of the CCSP Strategic Plan. Continue Regional Aerosol Study in China. In 2008, the ARM Mobile Facility (AMF) was deployed in China to identify and quantify the climatic effects of aerosols. The AMF was deployed at Lake Taihu (April-December) near Shanghai, China, and the ARM Ancillary Facility was also deployed from Linze (February-June) and Xianghe (July- December). Data will be used to improve rain remote sensing and understanding the roles of aerosols in affecting regional climate and atmospheric circulation. This activity will address Questions 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 of the CCSP Strategic Plan. Cloud/Aerosols Field Study. Extensive and persistent layers of stratus clouds occur off the subtropical west coasts of Africa and of North and South America. These cloud decks have a significant impact on Earth’s radiation budget. Aerosols, arising from natural processes and from human activity, have important influences on the brightness and persistence of these clouds. The Variability of the American Monsoon System (VAMOS) Ocean-Cloud-Atmosphere-Land Study (VOCALS) field mission will study the stratus deck off the Pacific coast of Chile and Peru, using in situ and remote aircraft observations, along with satellite and ship-based measurements. Natural and human sources of particles will be observed, as well as the roles these particles play in the determining the brightness and lifetimes of stratus clouds. The VOCALS planning and site research occurred early in 2008, and the field mission will occur in October/November 2009. This activity will address Questions 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 of the CCSP Strategic Plan. Examination and Intercomparison of Water Vapor Measurements from Aircraft, Balloons, and Satellites. Understanding changes in the distribution of water vapor, whether due to natural or anthropogenic causes, is essential to understanding the potential for climate change. Shortfalls in knowledge of the processes affecting water vapor concentrations near the interface between the troposphere and the stratosphere result primarily from the difficulties in making accurate water vapor measurements at these altitudes where concentrations are quite small. A number of research efforts will be continued or initiated to help resolve observed discrepancies in in situ water vapor observations. These activities are being conducted jointly by two CCSP agencies with the involvement of U.S. and international investigators from a wide range of government and academic institutions. The planned efforts include (1) single instrument laboratory studies designed to better characterize and understand instrument performance and calibration under a variety of atmospheric conditions; (2) the possible selection and use of a water vapor calibration standard to establish and/or confirm measurement accuracy and precision; and (3) multiple-instrument intercomparisons in the laboratory and field involving an independent referee to coordinate and present the results of each formal laboratory and flight intercomparison that includes instruments from different research groups. This activity will address Questions 3.2 and 3.5 of the CCSP Strategic Plan. Interactions of Climate Change and Air Quality. Understanding the combined effect of climate change and air quality is a key research question. Continuing work in FY 2009 will focus on (1) reducing the uncertainty for ground-level ozone; (2) assessing the impact of climate change on particulate matter; and (3) preliminary research to enable assessment of interactions with mercury. The FY 2009 work focuses on linked air quality-climate modeling systems, future emission projections, and communicating research results to air quality decisionmakers. This activity will address Questions 3.3 and 3.5 of the CCSP Strategic Plan. Aviation Impacts on the Upper Atmosphere and Climate Change. CCSP agencies concerned with understanding the impacts of aviation on climate change will address key uncertainties and research gaps through the Aviation-Climate Change Research Initiative (ACCRI). ACCRI will use a structured, sequential four-step approach, simultaneously applying the latest scientific knowledge and modeling/analysis capability to quantify the climate impacts of aviation. The main objective of ACCRI is to inform policymaking decisions for the U.S. Next Generation Air Transportation System and the International Civil Aviation Organization Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection based on the latest research results. A key goal of ACCRI is to identify, develop, and evaluate the metric(s) that can capture aviation-induced climate impacts at all relevant spatial and temporal scales and assist in tradeoff analysis whenever possible. This activity will address Questions 3.3 and 3.5 of the CCSP Strategic Plan.
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