My research involves the use of state-of-the-art numerical models, run on supercomputers, to study the processes controlling the present state of the atmosphere and its evolution. A NERC Unit, the Atmospheric Chemistry Modelling Support Unit, is incorporated into the group.
Current research activities include:
Stratospheric Modelling. The chemistry, dynamics and radiative transfer of the stratosphere are being studied using a number of numerical models. Three particular problems being tackled are (i) the rapid depletion of ozone found recently in the polar spring, the so-called 'ozone hole', (ii) the more gradual decline in northern hemisphere ozone levels (which we have recently ascribed partly to long-term changes in atmospheric flow, and (iii) the effect on stratospheric ozone of increasing concentrations of CO2, CH4, N2O and the chlorofluorocarbons.
Tropospheric Modelling. We have developed a range of models for studying the chemistry of the lower atmosphere, from complex 3D models to models based on air parcel trajectories. A major research theme is the changing oxidizing capacity of the troposphere (the ability of the troposphere to cleanse itself of pollution). An important part of our work includes involvement in field campaigns.
Chemistry/climate interactions have become a major research topic in recent years. We have included a detailed chemistry package into the Met Office's climate model, to study composition change since the industrial revolution and into the future. We have calculated the change in surface ozone at the end of this century, under certain assumptions about changing industrial emissions. The change is very climate-dependent, but shows massive increases (which are expected to lead to major health problems) over some of the continents.
Atmospheric composition measurements. We have developed lightweight gas chromatography instruments to measure halocarbons. These have been deployed from balloons and high-flying research aircraft.
Many of the problems addressed are of an interdisciplinary nature. Members of the group, which numbers about 20 postdoctoral researchers and students, come from a wide range of backgrounds in mathematics and physical science. Within Cambridge we collaborate closely with scientists at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics.
Skin Cancer Risks Avoided by the Montreal Protocol-Worldwide Modeling Integrating Coupled Climate-Chemistry Models with a Risk Model for UV
A Van Dijk, H Slaper, PN den Outer, O Morgenstern, P Braesicke, JA Pyle, H Garny, A Stenke, M Dameris, A Kazantzidis, K Tourpali, AF Bais - Photochem Photobiol (
2013)
89, 234
(DOI:
10.1111/j.1751-1097.2012.01223.x)
Volatile halocarbon emissions by three tropical brown seaweeds under different irradiances
FS-L Keng, S-M Phang, NA Rahman, EC Leedham, C Hughes, AD Robinson, NRP Harris, JA Pyle, WT Sturges - Journal of Applied Phycology (2013), 1
Skin cancer risks avoided by the Montreal Protocol - Worldwide Modeling Integrating coupled climate-chemistry models with a risk model for UV
A Van Dijk, H Slaper, PN Den Outer, O Morgenstern, P Braesicke, JA Pyle, H Garny, A Stenke, M Dameris, A Kazantzidis, K Tourpali, AF Bais - Photochemistry and Photobiology (2013) 89, 234
Latitudinal variation of the effect of aviation NOx emissions on atmospheric ozone and methane and related climate metrics
MO Köhler, G Rädel, KP Shine, HL Rogers, JA Pyle - Atmospheric Environment (
2013)
64, 1
(DOI:
10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.09.013)
Modelling future changes to the stratospheric source gas injection of biogenic bromocarbons
R Hossaini, MP Chipperfield, S Dhomse, C Ordóñez, A Saiz-Lopez, NL Abraham, A Archibald, P Braesicke, P Telford, N Warwick, X Yang, J Pyle - Geophysical Research Letters (
2012)
39, ARTN L20813
(DOI:
10.1029/2012GL053401)
Tropospheric bromine chemistry: implications for present and pre-industrial ozone and mercury
JP Parrella, DJ Jacob, Q Liang, Y Zhang, LJ Mickley, B Miller, MJ Evans, X Yang, JA Pyle, N Theys, M Van Roozendael - Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (
2012)
12, 6723
(DOI:
10.5194/acp-12-6723-2012)
Tropical convective transport and the Walker circulation
JS Hosking, MR Russo, P Braesicke, JA Pyle - Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (
2012)
12, 9791
(DOI:
10.5194/acp-12-9791-2012)
Transport of short-lived species into the Tropical Tropopause Layer
MJ Ashfold, NRP Harris, EL Atlas, AJ Manning, JA Pyle - Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (
2012)
12, 6309
(DOI:
10.5194/acp-12-6309-2012)
A Lagrangian model of air-mass photochemistry and mixing using a trajectory ensemble: the Cambridge Tropospheric Trajectory model of Chemistry And Transport (CiTTyCAT) version 4.2
TAM Pugh, M Cain, J Methven, O Wild, SR Arnold, E Real, KS Law, KM Emmerson, SM Owen, JA Pyle, CN Hewitt, AR MacKenzie - Geoscientific Model Development (
2012)
5, 193
(DOI:
10.5194/gmd-5-193-2012)
Reconciling the changes in atmospheric methane sources and sinks between the Last Glacial Maximum and the pre-industrial era
JG Levine, EW Wolff, AE Jones, LC Sime, PJ Valdes, AT Archibald, GD Carver, NJ Warwick, JA Pyle - GEOPHYS RES LETT (
2011)
38, L23804
(DOI:
10.1029/2011GL049545)
Funding
Further Funding Information:
