Understanding the Influence of Cloud on the Spectral Solar Ultraviolet Radiation. Terrestrial spectral solar UV may be enhanced above that of clear sky due to certain cloud conditions. There is a major gap in the scientific knowledge of the influence of cloud on the spectral solar UV and resultant biologically damaging UV. This project will collect the only dataset of sky conditions and spectral UV for each ten minute period spanning 12 months to determine: the specific wavelengths with increase ....Understanding the Influence of Cloud on the Spectral Solar Ultraviolet Radiation. Terrestrial spectral solar UV may be enhanced above that of clear sky due to certain cloud conditions. There is a major gap in the scientific knowledge of the influence of cloud on the spectral solar UV and resultant biologically damaging UV. This project will collect the only dataset of sky conditions and spectral UV for each ten minute period spanning 12 months to determine: the specific wavelengths with increased irradiances; the amount of enhanced damaging UV; the cloud conditions that cause these enhancements and develop a predictive capability to determine when cloud cover will enhance solar UV.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
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
The role of atmospheric carbon dioxide in fostering hyperdiversity in Australian conifer palaeofloras. Human intervention into atmospheric processes appears to have triggered an excursion in atmospheric CO2 to levels unknown for millennia. Our ability to predict the environmental implications of such a change will play a major role in ameliorating the social and financial impact upon Australia. This project examines the ecology and function of forests that grew under CO2 levels considerably high ....The role of atmospheric carbon dioxide in fostering hyperdiversity in Australian conifer palaeofloras. Human intervention into atmospheric processes appears to have triggered an excursion in atmospheric CO2 to levels unknown for millennia. Our ability to predict the environmental implications of such a change will play a major role in ameliorating the social and financial impact upon Australia. This project examines the ecology and function of forests that grew under CO2 levels considerably higher than present, and will provide an invaluable insight into how future biological systems will function. The evidence produced by this project has potential economic flow-ons, particularly for long-term planning of softwood versus hardwood plantation forestry.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
Biomass Burning Emissions - An Innovative Technique for Assessing Global Climate Impacts. This proposal will significantly improve our understanding of the impacts of biomass burning on climate and environmental change leading to better predictive powers and more informed political and economic responses to issues such as Australian compliance with international protocols dealing with global climate change (Kyoto). Further, it will help the development of Australian expertise in global chemical ....Biomass Burning Emissions - An Innovative Technique for Assessing Global Climate Impacts. This proposal will significantly improve our understanding of the impacts of biomass burning on climate and environmental change leading to better predictive powers and more informed political and economic responses to issues such as Australian compliance with international protocols dealing with global climate change (Kyoto). Further, it will help the development of Australian expertise in global chemical transport modelling not currently addressed by other Australian research programs.
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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
Precise Atmospheric Density Correction Model Using Space Tracking Data for Accurate Debris Surveillance and Collision Warning. Our project will build new atmospheric density correction models (ADCMs) for accurate prediction of debris object and satellite orbits. This research will have tremendous impacts on realizing unaided debris laser ranging. An order of magnitude accuracy improvement to the ADCMs will lead to a significant breakthrough in space object tracking. The benefits of this research ....Precise Atmospheric Density Correction Model Using Space Tracking Data for Accurate Debris Surveillance and Collision Warning. Our project will build new atmospheric density correction models (ADCMs) for accurate prediction of debris object and satellite orbits. This research will have tremendous impacts on realizing unaided debris laser ranging. An order of magnitude accuracy improvement to the ADCMs will lead to a significant breakthrough in space object tracking. The benefits of this research are: it will put Australia in a leading position in the world on ADCM study; to maintain Australia's leading role in space surveillance and greatly enhanced operational capability & efficiency of Australian space tracking systems; and to contribute significantly to the space environment info management, e.g. accurate collision warning and space junk tracking.Read moreRead less
A low-cost water vapour profiler for the lower troposphere. Water vapour plays an important role in weather forecasting, as well as being the most important greenhouse gas. Its distribution is not known in sufficient detail for many aspects of predicting weather and climate change. With the Bureau of Meteorology we will develop a low-cost laser ranging system to measure the profile of water vapour in the lower atmosphere. A low-cost instrument can be placed at a sufficient number of locations ....A low-cost water vapour profiler for the lower troposphere. Water vapour plays an important role in weather forecasting, as well as being the most important greenhouse gas. Its distribution is not known in sufficient detail for many aspects of predicting weather and climate change. With the Bureau of Meteorology we will develop a low-cost laser ranging system to measure the profile of water vapour in the lower atmosphere. A low-cost instrument can be placed at a sufficient number of locations to significantly enhance weather forecasting and climate modelling. The instrument will be useful for detecting fog formation, measuring cloudbase heights and can be adapted for pollution detection and measurement.Read moreRead less