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.
Ozone concentration changes in the Asian summer monsoon anticyclone and lower stratospheric water vapour: An idealised model study
P Braesicke, OJ Smith, P Telford, JA Pyle - Geophysical Research Letters (
2011)
38, ARTN L03810
(DOI:
10.1029/2010GL046228)
Using transport diagnostics to understand chemistry climate model ozone simulations
SE Strahan, AR Douglass, RS Stolarski, H Akiyoshi, S Bekki, P Braesicke, N Butchart, MP Chipperfield, D Cugnet, S Dhomse, SM Frith, A Gettelman, SC Hardiman, DE Kinnison, J-F Lamarque, E Mancini, M Marchand, M Michou, O Morgenstern, T Nakamura, D Olivié, S Pawson, G Pitari, DA Plummer, JA Pyle, JF Scinocca, TG Shepherd, K Shibata, D Smale, H Teyssèdre, W Tian, Y Yamashita - Journal of Geophysical Research D: Atmospheres (2011) 116
Results from the first national UK inter-laboratory calibration for very short-lived halocarbons
CE Jones, SJ Andrews, LJ Carpenter, C Hogan, FE Hopkins, JC Laube, AD Robinson, TG Spain, SD Archer, NRP Harris, PD Nightingale, SJ O'Doherty, DE Oram, JA Pyle, JH Butler, BD Hall - Atmospheric Measurement Techniques Discussions (2011) 4, 765
Results from the first national UK inter-laboratory calibration for very short-lived halocarbons
CE Jones, SJ Andrews, LJ Carpenter, C Hogan, FE Hopkins, JC Laube, AD Robinson, TG Spain, SD Archer, NRP Harris, PD Nightingale, SJ O'Doherty, DE Oram, JA Pyle, JH Butler, BD Hall - Atmospheric Measurement Techniques (
2011)
4, 865
(DOI:
10.5194/amt-4-865-2011)
Representation of tropical deep convection in atmospheric models - Part 2: Tracer transport
CR Hoyle, V Marecal, MR Russo, G Allen, J Arteta, C Chemel, MP Chipperfield, F D'Amato, O Dessens, W Feng, JF Hamilton, NRP Harris, JS Hosking, AC Lewis, O Morgenstern, T Peter, JA Pyle, T Reddmann, NAD Richards, PJ Telford, W Tian, S Viciani, A Volz-Thomas, O Wild, X Yang, G Zeng - Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (
2011)
11, 8103
(DOI:
10.5194/acp-11-8103-2011)
Representation of tropical deep convection in atmospheric models-Part 1: Meteorology and comparison with satellite observations
MR Russo, V Marécal, CR Hoyle, J Arteta, C Chemel, MP Chipperfield, O Dessens, W Feng, JS Hosking, PJ Telford, O Wild, X Yang, JA Pyle - Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (2011) 11, 2765
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 - Geophysical Research Letters (2011) 38
Global multi-year O-3-CO correlation patterns from models and TES satellite observations
A Voulgarakis, PJ Telford, AM Aghedo, P Braesicke, G Faluvegi, NL Abraham, KW Bowman, JA Pyle, DT Shindell - Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (
2011)
11, 5819
(DOI:
10.5194/acp-11-5819-2011)
Global multi-year O 3-CO correlation patterns from models and TES satellite observations
A Voulgarakis, PJ Telford, AM Aghedo, P Braesicke, G Faluvegi, NL Abraham, KW Bowman, JA Pyle, DT Shindell - Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions (2011) 11, 5079
Future impact of non-land based traffic emissions on atmospheric ozone and OH - an optimistic scenario and a possible mitigation strategy
O Hodnebrog, TK Berntsen, O Dessens, M Gauss, V Grewe, ISA Isaksen, B Koffi, G Myhre, D Olivie, MJ Prather, JA Pyle, F Stordal, S Szopa, Q Tang, P van Velthoven, JE Williams, K Odemark - ATMOS CHEM PHYS (
2011)
11, 11293
(DOI:
10.5194/acp-11-11293-2011)
Funding
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