Atmospheric Sciences
Atmospheric Studies bring together scientists interested in atmospheric processes, technology, modeling and climate change studies. Because poor air quality has major health impacts, and control measures are costly, a better understanding of the underlying science can help focus on more effective, lower-cost methods of reducing air pollution.
Air pollution issues are increasingly international-for example, emissions in Mexico and other Pacific Rim countries can affect the United States, and pollution generated in the U.S. can affect Canada (and vice versa). Finding solutions to reducing these emissions requires international cooperation.
The focus areas include atmospheric aerosols, atmospheric chemistry, modeling, emissions, designing advanced instrumentation, and global climate.
Atmospheric Aerosols
This research addresses the size, composition and sources of biologically active particles, effective control strategies, and the role of particles in climate and visibility.
Climate
Global climate change research is aimed at understanding the factors, and the feedbacks among these factors, driving global climate change. Climate change will have major effects on the world's environment, the economy and human health.
Modeling
Current computer models of pollutants and air toxics in both the indoors and outdoors do not predict their behavior and resulting human exposures adequately—informing good public policy to control these chemicals requires better science and better models.
Modeling research focuses on improving current models in a manner that is open and transparent to the scientific community, and testing the models through experiment and field measurements.
Urban & Regional Air Quality
Research in this area is concerned with regional air quality issues such as:
- Controlling nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds, to manage tropospheric ozone pollution.
- Hazardous air pollutants: using science to base standards on rigorously studied risks.
- Air quality and climate: how does climate influence air quality at a regional or local level?
