The carbon cycle and climate: new approaches to atmospheric measurements and modelling. Earth's climate is intimately connected to the carbon cycle, which controls atmospheric CO2 through processes such as photosynthesis, respiration and ocean uptake. A thorough understanding of the carbon cycle, and potential feedbacks with climate change, is prerequisite knowledge for informed assessments of future climate, impacts, adaptation and mitigation. This proposal improves that understanding through ....The carbon cycle and climate: new approaches to atmospheric measurements and modelling. Earth's climate is intimately connected to the carbon cycle, which controls atmospheric CO2 through processes such as photosynthesis, respiration and ocean uptake. A thorough understanding of the carbon cycle, and potential feedbacks with climate change, is prerequisite knowledge for informed assessments of future climate, impacts, adaptation and mitigation. This proposal improves that understanding through measurements of CO2 and other key Kyoto-protocol greenhouse gases, links to global networks and satellite measurements, and advanced modelling. Australian science has a very important role to play in international networks due to our unique combination of southern hemisphere location and scientific standing. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668470
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
High resolution Fourier transform infrared spectrometer for atmospheric remote sensing and laboratory spectroscopy. Climate change is a major global concern, with the potential for major consequences in Australia. This proposal contributes directly to climate change research relevant to Australia through direct measurements of the atmosphere relevant to the understanding of phenomena such as increasing greenhouse gas concentrations and stratospheric ozone depletion. Australia's geographical posi ....High resolution Fourier transform infrared spectrometer for atmospheric remote sensing and laboratory spectroscopy. Climate change is a major global concern, with the potential for major consequences in Australia. This proposal contributes directly to climate change research relevant to Australia through direct measurements of the atmosphere relevant to the understanding of phenomena such as increasing greenhouse gas concentrations and stratospheric ozone depletion. Australia's geographical position in the less populated southern hemisphere, and its advanced scientific infrastructure, mean that it has an especially important and valuable role to play in global atmospheric research. The proposed research participates in several international research programmes.Read moreRead less
Atmospheric composition and climate change. Changing composition and distribution of atmospheric trace gases and aerosols are the driving forces behind changes in climate and the environment at the earth's surface. This proposal is to undertake a program of ground based infrared remote sensing measurements as part of the Network for Detection of Stratospheric Change to investigate some of the most relevant atmospheric processes and species central to the greenhouse effect and ozone depletion. S ....Atmospheric composition and climate change. Changing composition and distribution of atmospheric trace gases and aerosols are the driving forces behind changes in climate and the environment at the earth's surface. This proposal is to undertake a program of ground based infrared remote sensing measurements as part of the Network for Detection of Stratospheric Change to investigate some of the most relevant atmospheric processes and species central to the greenhouse effect and ozone depletion. State-of-the-art measurements, advances in analysis techniques, and the measurement of isotopic fractionation will all contribute to advances in capabilities. Validation of satellite-based remote sensing instruments is also an important facet of the work.Read moreRead less
Better greenhouse gas budgets: new techniques and applications. The most recent (2001) international assessment strongly confirms the link between global climate change and human-induced changes in atmospheric composition. However, improved knowledge of atmospheric trace gas budgets is essential for better modelling of future climate change and formulation of public policy. We have developed novel techniques for atmospheric trace gas and isoptic analysis that provide new tools for resolving trac ....Better greenhouse gas budgets: new techniques and applications. The most recent (2001) international assessment strongly confirms the link between global climate change and human-induced changes in atmospheric composition. However, improved knowledge of atmospheric trace gas budgets is essential for better modelling of future climate change and formulation of public policy. We have developed novel techniques for atmospheric trace gas and isoptic analysis that provide new tools for resolving trace gas budgets in ways not previously possible. We will apply these tools to improve our understanding of the Australian and global budgets of greenhouse gases, especially nitrous oxide and methane, for which sources still have unacceptably large uncertainties.Read moreRead less
Innovative measurement and modelling of greenhouse fluxes at regional scales across Australia. Carbon dioxide accounts for around 60% of the enhanced greenhouse effect. This proposal aims to markedly improve knowledge of the exchange of carbon, mostly as CO2, between atmospheric, ocean and land-based reservoirs in the Australian region. This will be achieved through a suite of measurements using innovative technologies: satellite and ground based remote sensing as well in situ measurements at ....Innovative measurement and modelling of greenhouse fluxes at regional scales across Australia. Carbon dioxide accounts for around 60% of the enhanced greenhouse effect. This proposal aims to markedly improve knowledge of the exchange of carbon, mostly as CO2, between atmospheric, ocean and land-based reservoirs in the Australian region. This will be achieved through a suite of measurements using innovative technologies: satellite and ground based remote sensing as well in situ measurements at Darwin and on the Ghan railway from Darwin to Adelaide. The measurements will be used to constrain inverse models of the carbon cycle and significantly reduce uncertainties in regional carbon source estimates. These estimates will in turn be compared to the Australian National Greenhouse Gas Inventory for comparison and verification.Read moreRead less
The coldest region on Earth gets even colder. Studying the observable atmospheric indicators of climate change is of national interest and importance. It strengthens the Australia's participation and further recognition in this research area. This project adds to the Australia's contribution to fundamental atmospheric physics and complements work carried out by other Australian researchers. Australian science further benefits from satellite data access and analyses skills. Development of interna ....The coldest region on Earth gets even colder. Studying the observable atmospheric indicators of climate change is of national interest and importance. It strengthens the Australia's participation and further recognition in this research area. This project adds to the Australia's contribution to fundamental atmospheric physics and complements work carried out by other Australian researchers. Australian science further benefits from satellite data access and analyses skills. Development of international collaborations in this research area and involvement in several international satellite projects is important for future national atmospheric and space programs. Postgraduate training in this area provides expertise needed at many Australian organisations. Read moreRead less
Assessing clouds and rainfall in Australia's community climate model - Towards an improved simulation of Australia's water resources. Climate change is likely to significantly affect Australia's water resources. A well-measured response to this challenge requires reliable projections of future climate using modern Earth System Models. By thoroughly evaluating Australia's community climate model this research will inform Australia's adaptation policy and through subsequent model development it wi ....Assessing clouds and rainfall in Australia's community climate model - Towards an improved simulation of Australia's water resources. Climate change is likely to significantly affect Australia's water resources. A well-measured response to this challenge requires reliable projections of future climate using modern Earth System Models. By thoroughly evaluating Australia's community climate model this research will inform Australia's adaptation policy and through subsequent model development it will contribute to significant improvements in our ability to understand and predict climate change. Through better informing water resource management the research constitutes an important contribution to an environmentally sustainable Australia. Read moreRead less
Impact of land use on cloud formation. Large scale land clearing has the potential to significantly modify regional climates yet current climate models do not incorporate an adequate representation of the land surface. Within Western Australia the rabbit fence provides a unique environment in which the interaction between the land surface and the atmosphere can be studied without other competing influences. A combination of satellite, aircraft and ground based observations will be used to relate ....Impact of land use on cloud formation. Large scale land clearing has the potential to significantly modify regional climates yet current climate models do not incorporate an adequate representation of the land surface. Within Western Australia the rabbit fence provides a unique environment in which the interaction between the land surface and the atmosphere can be studied without other competing influences. A combination of satellite, aircraft and ground based observations will be used to relate cloud formation to land characteristics and provide a clearer insight into the climatic impact of human-induced land surface changes.Read moreRead less
Assimilation of trace atmospheric constituents for climate (ATACC): Linking chemical weather and climate. Changes in atmospheric ozone and carbon dioxide affect many aspects of surface climate from changes in ultraviolet radiation (ozone) to long-term changes in temperature (carbon dioxide). Better mapping of these gases will help us understand, predict and manage these changes. For ozone, it will clarify the link between ozone and surface weather. For carbon dioxide, improved knowledge of the ....Assimilation of trace atmospheric constituents for climate (ATACC): Linking chemical weather and climate. Changes in atmospheric ozone and carbon dioxide affect many aspects of surface climate from changes in ultraviolet radiation (ozone) to long-term changes in temperature (carbon dioxide). Better mapping of these gases will help us understand, predict and manage these changes. For ozone, it will clarify the link between ozone and surface weather. For carbon dioxide, improved knowledge of the impact of tropical deforestation, land clearing and changes in the southern ocean on atmospheric CO2 will support sustainable development in Australia and our region. The project hence addresses the priority goal 'Responding to climate change and variability` under the National Research Priority 'An Environmentally Sustainable Australia`.
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Do terrestrial processes intensify Australian droughts ? Australia's agricultural productivity is strongly affected by climate, climate variability and climate change. Recent climate changes in Western Australia forced adaptation strategies costing $500 million while the anomalously intense 2002 Murray-Darling Basin drought significantly affected agriculture. Any further intensification of droughts would affect Australia's rural economy. This proposal will assess the role of terrestrial processe ....Do terrestrial processes intensify Australian droughts ? Australia's agricultural productivity is strongly affected by climate, climate variability and climate change. Recent climate changes in Western Australia forced adaptation strategies costing $500 million while the anomalously intense 2002 Murray-Darling Basin drought significantly affected agriculture. Any further intensification of droughts would affect Australia's rural economy. This proposal will assess the role of terrestrial processes, linked to increasing CO2, in causing the drought intensification and declines in rainfall. This will provide knowledge that will guide the development of future environmental management strategies.Read moreRead less