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Description

Supports research to measure and model the concentration and distribution of gases and aerosols in the lower and middle atmosphere. Also supports research on the chemical reactions among atmospheric species; the sources and sinks of important trace gases and aerosols; the aqueous-phase atmospheric chemistry; the transport of gases and aerosols throughout the atmosphere; and the improved methods for measuring the concentrations of trace species and their fluxes into and out of the atmosphere.

Eligible Applicants

Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility"

Agency Name

National Science Foundation

Atmospheric Chemistry Active Awards

Collaborative Research: Exploring the Chemical Reach of the Madden-Julian Oscillation: Satellite/In-Situ Data Analysis and Chemistry/Transport Modeling
Start Date: June 1, 2009
Aword amount: $26,971

ABSTRACT

The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is the dominant form of atmospheric intraseasonal variability in the climate system. It interacts with and influences a wide range of physical weather and climate phenomena (e.g., monsoon onsets and breaks, El Niño-Southern Oscillation, and hurricanes). However, the impacts of the MJO on the chemical component of the climate system are not understood nor even well documented. This project studies the MJO's impacts on atmospheric ozone and aerosols, two important atmospheric constituents. First, the investigators will utilize a rich set of atmospheric ozone and aerosol data from a number of satellite sensors and in-situ observations to characterize the spatial and temporal patterns of intraseasonal variability of atmospheric ozone and aerosols as well as the dynamical and hydrological (e.g., rainfall, winds, and water vapor) patterns associated with these variations. Second, they will compare the intraseasonal variations of atmospheric ozone and aerosols between satellite/in-situ observations and chemistry/transport model (CTM) (e.g., Community Atmosphere Model with chemistry) simulations in order to quantify the fidelity of the CTM's representation of intraseasonal variability of atmospheric ozone and aerosols. Where possible, they will use the model and observations together to more fully understand the dynamical and chemical processes behind the intraseasonal variations of atmospheric ozone and aerosols.

This project will lead to better documentation and understanding of the intraseasonal variations of atmospheric ozone and aerosols and their connection to the MJO in both observations and models. It will contribute to a graduate student training at Cornell, a summer undergraduate training at Caltech and multidisciplinary interactions among various academic and laboratory institutions, including UCLA, Caltech, Cornell, Jet Propulsion Lab and Goddard Space Flight Center.

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).

Reaction Mechanisms of Hydrocarbon Photooxidation in the Troposphere Studied by Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry
Start Date: April 15, 2010
Aword amount: $509,999

ABSTRACT

The Environmental Chemical Sciences (ECS) program of the Division of Chemistry (NSF/CHE) and the Atmospheric Chemistry program of the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace sciences (AGS) will support the research project of Prof. Mitchio Okumura of California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Prof. Okumura and his students will employ Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy (CRDS) to detect free radical intermediates formed during photooxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The project will contribute to our understanding of the chemical reactions that lead to photochemical smog and aerosol formation. Specific data and mechanisms will be provided for air quality models that form the scientific basis for policy decisions regulating anthropogenic emissions related to air pollution and climate change. The project will provide excellent training opportunities for graduate students in a research area of great societal importance and at the forefront of scientific research.