EGS XXV General Assembly, Nice, France, April 2000

ST7. Atmospheric chemistry-climate interaction (co-sponsored by OA):

Event Information

Future climate changes could profoundly alter the composition and variability of the stratosphere and free troposphere. On the other hand, anthropogenic emissions are directly changing the chemical composition of the atmosphere and therefore influence the climate. Many mechanisms can be suggested, and the length of the list, and the uncertainty surrounding each item on it, underscores the lack of knowledge in this area. New, unthought of feedbacks may arise from an interactive coupling of dynamics and chemistry. The state of the available scientific tools is now such that feedback mechanisms can be investigated. Typical questions raised in this connection are how atmospheric ozone might evolve in a climate change, if increased tropospheric temperatures and water vapour might lead to stronger stratospheric wave driving, if the lower stratospheric cooling might in turn lead to increased formation of polar stratospheric clouds and so enhance ozone loss, if there is an enlarged transport of polluted air from the boundary layer into the free troposphere caused by enhanced convection which would have an impact on chemistry and dynamics, etc. This session will include analyses of field measurements along with satellite observations and results of model simulations, particularly studies with chemical transport models and general circulation models which have been interactively coupled to chemistry modules.

Preliminary List of Solicited Speakers

Co-Sponsorship