CAPS: Research

Atmospheric Modeling

Numerical models of atmospheric chemistry are essential in almost all aspects of our research. Depending on the application, these range in scale from small single box models to three-dimensional models covering regional and global scales.

Small box models (Prof. Adams, Prof. Pandis, Prof. Donahue) provide process-level detail for testing the completeness and accuracy of proposed oxidation mechanisms. Small models can contain more or less complete chemistry and physics and thus permit process-level studies designed either to test a proposed mechanism in the atmosphere or to develop parameterizations for larger scale models, which require computational efficiency. Lagrangian box models can follow an air parcel backward through time and space from a measurment point to provide valuable constraints on observations.

Regional models coupling meteorology and chemistry (Prof. Pandis) provide both a context for regional studies and a framework for testing proposed remediation strategies. Many air quality problems (acid deposition, ozone and haze production) are inherently regional in nature. Regional scale models permit full 3-dimensional treatment of the atmosphere at high resolution. (again, a pretty link showing a regional ozone event or such)

Global scale models Prof. Adams enable research on various problems not amenable to regional models. The group currently has the capability to run the Goddard Institute for Space Studies general circulation model (GISS GCM). We have incorporated into this climate model a detailed treatment of aerosol thermodynamics and microphysics. Coupling and aerosol model to a global climate model allows one to estimate the extent to which anthropogenic aerosols perturb the earthÕs energy budget by reflecting and absorbing sunlight and modifying cloud properties. Global scale models are also used to examine transport of pollutants and precursors from one region to another, to aid in the retrieval of aerosol concentrations and properties from satellite observations, and to provide boundary conditions for regional models.