Atmospheric Chemistry Department

Eric Kort, Director

“The chemical composition of the atmosphere is vital for regulating the Earth system and sustaining planetary habitability.  Greenhouse gases alter the Earth’s energy balance and warm the surface.  Stratospheric ozone filters harmful ultraviolet radiation, while tropospheric ozone and other reactive trace gases like nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds play a key role in atmospheric oxidation, air quality, and public health.  Human activities change the composition of the atmosphere, which occurs in part due to direct emissions into the atmosphere, and in part due to atmospheric chemical processes and ecosystems dynamically responding to emissions, air quality, and climate change.  The Atmospheric Chemistry Department conducts research to address the overarching question:

How do anthropogenic perturbations and global warming change atmospheric chemical composition and oxidative capacity, and what are the resultant impacts on air quality, climate, and the Earth system?

We aim to identify and quantify drivers of atmospheric change and related effects.  We develop and apply space-based, airborne, and ground-based techniques, both remote sensing and in situ, for trace gas observations.  We analyze, guide, and interpret these measurements with numerical modeling of sources, transport, chemical transformation, and removal of atmospheric trace gases at regional to global scales.”

Research Themes:

• Atmospheric Chemistry Modeling (A. Pozzer et al.)
• Atmospheric Remote Sensing (collaboratively with T. Wagner et al.)
• Optical Spectroscopy (H. Fischer et al.)
• Organic Trace Gases & Atmosphere-Biosphere Interactions (J. Williams et al.)
• Oxidation & Reactive Atmosphere (H. Harder et al.)
• Reactive Processes (J. Crowley et al.)