Discovering, understanding, and quantifying the processes that control the chemical makeup of Earth's atmosphere to better understand its future – and ours
Chemical Sciences Division
Graphic: D. Fisher, NOAA Our Mission: Understanding Our Atmosphere
Graphic: K. Aikin, NOAA / CIRES Measurements: Tropospheric chemical research data from major field campaigns openly accessible on the web
Photo: B. Dubé, NOAA / CIRES Air Quality: Sunrise with the NOAA WP-3D at Ellington Field, Texas
Photo: J. Cozic, NOAA / CIRES Climate Change: NASA P-3B in flight sampling Arctic haze layer over Alaska
Photo: C. Burgdorf, NOAA / CIRES Ozone Layer: Polar stratospheric clouds over Kiruna, SwedenClimate Change
Earth's atmosphere is changing. CSD scientists work in the lab, in the field, and with computer models to understand how those changes will affect climate. Read More...
Air Quality
CSD researchers study the chemical and physical processes that affect air quality, to better understand and forecast pollution events and trends that threaten human health. Read More...
Ozone Layer
People have harmed Earth's protective ozone layer by releasing ozone-depleting chemicals into the atmosphere. CSD scientists are international leaders in the scientific understanding of stratospheric ozone depletion – and ozone recovery. Read More...
Research Overview
Research Products
- current Seminar ScheduleSeminars
- Jessica Gilman: VOCs associated with oil and natural gas operations in Colorado and Utah: regional characteristics and potential atmospheric impacts May 23
- Antony Clarke: Aerosol Entrainment and Boundary Layer CCN: Transport and Teleconnections in the Free Troposphere May 24
- Ryan Neely: Exploring the "Background" Variability of Stratospheric Aerosol Observed by Ground Based Lidar May 30
Research Groups
Cloud & Aerosol Processes
Measuring and understanding how atmospheric particles affect clouds, climate, and air quality
Atmospheric Remote Sensing
Developing and using laser-based instruments for deployment on land, ship, and airplane to understand atmospheric processes that affect air quality, weather, and climate
Regional Chemical Modeling
Using models and observations to understand atmospheric pollutant transport, processing, and effects on air quality and climate
Tropospheric Chemistry
Developing and deploying state-of-the-art instruments to understand how processes in the lower atmosphere affect air quality and climate today – and in the future
Atmospheric Composition &
Chemical Processes
Conducting airborne field missions and laboratory chemical measurements critical to understanding climate, air quality, and ozone depletion
Chemistry & Climate Processes
Understanding atmospheric chemistry and climate processes with integrated analysis and modeling