Investigation of the chemistry of free radicals (OH, HO2, RO2, NO3) in the atmosphere and their impact on the atmospheric self-cleaning and formation of secondary air pollutants (ozone, aerosols etc).
Reactive trace gases like hydrocarbons and nitric oxides are emitted in enormous amounts by natural and anthropogenic sources into the atmosphere. The measurement of their concentrations and the review of their depletion paths help us to understand the complex processes, which are needed to remove the contamination from the atmosphere.
Investigations of the sources, the chemical composition, and the micro physical properties of atmospheric aerosols under various aspectes.
The tropopause region and the adjacent layers of the upper troposphere and lowermost stratosphere (UTLS) are very sensitive to changes of the chemical composition and the climate. However, the knowledge about this region is still limited.
Our central goal is to expand our understanding of tropospheric processes and accurately model the atmospheric composition.
At the Institute of Climate and Energy Systems (ICE), scientists investigate the physical and chemical processes in the atmosphere as well as their interactions in the entire climate system.
The Institute ICE-3 coordinates and is involved in numerous projects with national and international partners from HGF and other research institutes, universities, and industry.