Measuring and modelling trace gas and aerosol fluxes
This research aims to quantify the concentrations and fluxes of trans-boundary pollutants, and their controlling processes. Transboundary pollutants are ones which exist in the atmosphere for a sufficiently long period of time that allows them to be distributed through the atmosphere to another part of the planet. They include gases and aerosols* (primary and secondary) of trace nitrogen (NOy, NHx) and other acidifying species (SOx, organic acids), photochemical oxidants, greenhouse gases (N2O, CH4, and CO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals. CEH provides the UK national maps of deposition and concentrations of these pollutants. CEH also leads the underpinning research which aims to increase understanding of the processes which determine the fate of pollutants in the atmosphere.
For further information, contact Dr Mark Sutton.
Atmospheric aerosols are small particles suspended in air, having diameters in the region of 0.001 to 10 microns (millionth of a metre). Atmospheric aerosol particles may be emitted as particles (primary sources) or formed in the atmosphere from gaseous precursors (secondary sources).
