Atmospheric Chemistry and Composition Research in the CSIRO Climate Science Centre

Amphithéâtre Pierre Glorieux - CERLA Fabienne Reisen, professeur invité de Cappa et chercheur du CSIRO en Australie réalisera une présentation de ses recherches. Atmospheric Chemistry and Composition Research in the CSIRO Climate Science Centre  In this talk I will present two key research areas within the CSIRO Climate Science Centre, in particular CSIRO’s observation and measurement platforms to study the changing atmospheric composition and the climate-chemistry-aerosol interactions, and research into biomass combustion, which has become an increasingly important emission source under a changing climate. CSIRO’s observation and measurement platforms The Atmospheric Chemistry and Composition (ACC) group is involved in six key national observing programs of which I will present two in more detail, the long-term measurements at Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station (CGBAPS) located in Northern Tasmania and observations from the Northern Territory Baseline Air Pollution Station (NTBAPS). Biomass combustion and development of AQFx, a numerical air quality forecasting system Research into biomass combustion has become increasingly significant in Australia, as concern for air quality in the urban air sheds of capital cities, major regional centres and rural Australia grows. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) funded research led by CSIRO to develop a multi-tiered quantitative smoke and air quality forecasting system, AQFx that supports decisions on whether, and where to conduct planned fuel reduction burns. The AQFx system integrates fire spread, smoke emissions and chemical transport models to predict smoke plume dispersion and downwind concentrations. I will report on two observation-based strategies which are being leveraged by AQFx: 1.       During the development of AQFx, ground-based field measurements were conducted to characterise gases and particles emitted during the period of rapid and intense flaming combustion of fine fuels and during the slow and prolonged smouldering combustion of heavy fuels. The latter form the weakly lofted plume that remains close to the ground and which is often the source of significant and enduring local pollution. 2.       The use of multiple forms of near real time smoke intelligence including remote sensing, air quality monitoring station data, and low-cost sensor network data to support decision making using operational AQFx forecasts. I will also discuss ongoing research to improve the capabilities to better understand and manage risks to human health and the environment due to smoke from planned burns and bushfires.