Biosphere-Atmosphere Gas Exchange & Atmospheric Chemistry Group
Keywords: Photochemical air pollution, atmospheric chemistry modeling, eddy covariance, ozone, BVOCs,
vegetation, seawater, evapotranspiration, micrometeorology
Overview
The role of vegetation in air-pollution, climate and evapotranspiration
Biosphere - atmosphere gas exchange
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Ozone dry deposition mechanisms - physical and chemical controls
​Dry deposition, a process by which gases are deposited on a surface by air turbulence and gravity, accounts for about 20–25% of tropospheric O3 removal, while O3 deposition rate to vegetation tends to be higher than to non-vegetated surface. However, currently O3 dry deposition is not well represented by global or regional models, limiting our ability to assess the effects of O3 on climate and air quality. We use the eddy covariance technique to investigate the O3 dry deposition mechanisms.
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Drought effects on the emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) from vegetation
The emission of BVOCs from vegetation significantly affects the climate, atmosphere composition, and oxidation capacity, and photochemical pollution. We use the Eddy Covariance technique and branch measurements, combined with the MEGAN model, to investigate the environmental controls, particularly meteorological conditions, on BVOCs emission from vegetation.
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​Emission of BVOCs from seawater
BVOCs can be emitted from seawater and affect both photochemical pollution and climate​. We use the Eddy Covariance technique together with advanced methodologies (e.g., PTR-ToF-MS) to investigate the emission of BVOCs and environmental effects on the emission.
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Other related topics of interest
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Emission of halocarbons from various landscapes
Halocarbons are emitted from various landscapes, and can subsequently lead to O3 destruction in both the troposphere and the stratosphere. Currently, there are gaps in knowledge regarding the mechanisms, controls, and emitted amounts. We use micrometeorological field measurements to address these gaps of knowledge.
Atmospheric chemistry
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VOCs - anthropogenic air pollution Interaction
We use atmospheric chemistry models to study the effect of emitted BVOCs from vegetation and seawater on photochemical air pollution, via interaction with anthropogenic air pollution. We use atmospheric models with explicit chemical mechanisms (e.g., CAABA/MECCA) to develop the related chemical mechanisms and to evaluate the chemical effects near the vegetation. Next, we use models such as WRF-Chem to study in detail biogenic-anthropogenic interactions and the effect of vegetation on a regional air quality.
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Other related topics of interest
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Studying the potential benefit of vegetation in reducing urban air pollution. Studies have indicated that urban and peri-urban vegetation can improve the air quality and climate of cities. We want to use various models and field measurements, along with atmospheric chemistry models to investigate the potential improvement of air quality in urban areas by using urban and peri-urban forests.
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​Investigation of the effect of reactive halogen species on photochemistry in coastal areas
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​Investigation of the oxidation mechanisms of atmospheric mercury by photochemical air pollutants
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Reactive halogen species - photochemical air pollution interactions
Evapotranspiration prediction
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Evapotranspiration prediction
A reliable forecast of potential evapotranspiration is key to precise irrigation scheduling toward reducing water and agrochemical use while optimizing crop yield. We develop tools to improve evapotranspiration prediction from various landscapes by combining regional atmospheric simulations and data from meteorological stations.
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Other related topics of interest
We apply greenhouse micrometeorological measurements to develop models for improved evapotranspiration prediction in greenhouses.
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