Chemical composition and climate
Improving our understanding of methane (CH4), an important greenhouse gas, from space, using ground-based instruments and performing satellite quality control studies.
A homogenized formaldehyde (HCHO) data set from FTIR measurements has been developed including more than 25 stations over the world.
Monitoring tropospheric ozone is key to verifying whether scientific understanding and regulations are sufficient to protect public health and ecosystems.
To study the impact of global atmospheric currents in the stratosphere and mesosphere on the ozone layer and on nitrous oxide (N2O) we compared datasets.
BIRA-IASB implemented the WRF-GHG model to simulate the transport and surface fluxes of CO2, CH4 and CO with a spatial resolution up to 1 km2.
European research infrastructures ensure long-term state-of the-art measurements of atmospheric constituents from ground-based instruments.
VOC measurements in La Réunion to search for clues on missing sources of VOCs in biomass burning plumes from Africa.
Satellite observations might help to answer that question and better account for human-driven land use practices (forest to crop or pasture conversion, logging and urbanization).
Understanding aerosols, and in particular the particle size, is a major issue for the study and modelling of climate change.
BIRA-IASB provides atmospheric data to the European Copernicus programme for various atmospheric species, including stratospheric aerosols.
Stratospheric aerosols play an important role for the climate, since they affect the propagation and absorption of sunlight. This is why climate models have to take them into account as precisely as possible.
To consolidate the quality, consistency and long-term availability of ground-based (remote sensing) data needed for satellite validation and model use, it is essential to develop and maintain research infrastructures.
The Amazon Rainforest is a large source of biogenic and biomass burning species affecting the air quality and the global climate. To monitor these species, BIRA-IASB installed a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer at Porto Velho, in Brazil.
Dust particles influence the climate directly by modifying the energy balance (cooling or heating, depending on the conditions) and indirectly through an effect on wind patterns, clouds and rain.
Climate Data Records of various atmospheric pollutants have been generated, quality-assessed, and used in support of scientific studies, environmental assessments, and for raising general public awareness.
The Quality Assurance for Essential Climate Variables (QA4ECV) project prototyped a generic system for the implementation and evaluation of quality assurance (QA) measures for satellite-derived climate data records.
The hydroxyl radical (OH) is the main detergent in the atmosphere as its abundance controls the concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), a primary pollutant.
Isoprene is the dominant biogenic hydrocarbon released into the atmosphere. It plays a key role in the composition of the atmosphere because of its influence on tropospheric ozone and its contribution to the formation of fine particles.
A major feedback between climate and atmospheric chemistry lies in the dependence of the biogenic emission fluxes into the atmosphere on the meteorological conditions.
Although volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have a large impact on the oxidative capacity of the atmosphere and on climate, their sources and sinks are not well constrained, especially over tropical marine regions.
Although half of the world's agricultural land is grazing land, grazing-induced flux measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOC) have not been reported yet. Researchers from BIRA-IASB therefore investigated it.
Understanding the GOMOS experiment on board the ENVISAT satellite to prepare for future experiments.