The work of researchers of EMSL is centered mainly on one of the four Science Themes: Atmospheric Aerosol Chemistry, Biological Interactions and Dynamics, Geochemistry/Biogeochemistry and Subsurface Science, Science of Interfacial Phenomena.

Atmospheric Aerosol Chemistry Science Theme provides advancing the understanding of the chemical and physical properties of aerosols, processes involved in aerosol formation, and how the composition of aerosols change over time upon exposure to atmospheric radiation, free radicals, and various atmospheric components.

Atmospheric aerosols play an important role in global climate change. Variations of aerosols are recognized as a significant forcing factor that alters the planetary radiation balance onto and away from the Earth, thus contributing to global temperature change. The effects of climate forcing caused by aerosols are not well understood, especially in the case of anthropogenic aerosols. Indeed, the effect of aerosols has been one of the greatest sources of uncertainty in efforts to interpret climate change that occurred in the past century and to project future climate change.

This science theme is designed to advance the state of knowledge of aerosol physics and chemistry from the molecular level to regional and global scales and their impacts on climate change. State-of-the-art instrumentation at EMSL will be used to characterize the size, composition, density, morphology, chemical reactivity, and cloud interactions of aerosol particles. The research will employ a collaborative, comprehensive, and interdisciplinary approach that will combine both the unique analytical capabilities of EMSL and the research expertise of EMSL scientific staff and the user community.

This science theme is formulated around the following specific, key scientific topical areas that the aerosol chemistry and atmospheric science communities face today and will continue to face in the future:

Developing a novel analytical platform for comprehensive chemical and physical characterization of organic aerosols

Evaluating dynamics of cloud-aerosol interactions and their climatic impacts

Gaining critical knowledge of life cycle and long-term aging of aerosols in the atmospheric environment.

Understanding the role of aerosols in climate change is an important scientific challenge that is critical to more accurately predict the environmental impact of future energy technology options. This science theme addresses the chemical and physical properties of organic aerosols that are of key relevance to cloud formation and climate change. Aerosols are constantly evolving, and the changes they undergo profoundly alter their impact and even how long they live or how far they travel. Providing the scientific foundation to better predict how and when these properties change is necessary so policy makers can make environmentally sound decisions about process that generate aerosols.

Vasil Sidorov on September 12, 2009  E-mail: sidorovvasil@gmail.com

From PNNL`s Reports