Photo: ESPO, NASAResearch Highlight UAS: 2010 marked a new era in airborne sampling of the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere with the first science flight of the Global Hawk UAS (unmanned aerial system) aircraft.
Atmospheric Composition &
Chemical Processes
Dr. David W. Fahey, Program Lead
Mary Gutierrez, Secretary (303) 497-3429
NOAA ESRL Chemical Sciences Division
325 Broadway R/CSD6
Boulder, CO 80305 USA
Focus
Our program area has two research directions: airborne field measurements of trace gases and aerosols, and laboratory measurements of atmospheric chemical processes.
Field Measurements
We design, develop, and deploy instruments aboard research aircraft for measurements of trace gases and particles. We interpret these observations to improve our understanding of atmospheric processes related to air quality, ozone depletion, and climate change.
Laboratory Studies
We characterize the atmospheric lifetimes and photochemical processing of trace species emitted into or formed in the atmosphere and their impact on ozone production, air quality, and climate. We develop instrumentation for the detection of key atmospheric species to improve our ability to study key atmospheric species in the laboratory and field.
Current Studies Black carbon contributes significantly to atmospheric warming. |
Field Instruments Instruments deployed to measure atmospheric trace species. |
Lab Instruments Characterizing the chemical and physical properties of atmospheric trace species. |
Recent Publications Published findings from our field measurements and laboratory studies. |