Summer School 2013

A collective course with the University of Cologne and the University of Wuppertal from October 7^th to 11^th 2013 (full-time), which takes place at the Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH.

The atmosphere is a key component of the biosphere. Atmospheric physics is in the focus of scientific research for a long time, with weather forecasts as one of the most striking examples. In contrast, atmospheric chemistry has attracted major attention only since the last three decades. It has been perceived that reactions of trace gases in the earth's atmosphere are a necessary precondition for a resilient and sustainable development of life on earth. Chemical processes transform emitted organic and inorganic compounds, which enter the atmosphere by anthropogenic or biogenic activities, into water soluble compounds. Rain or dry deposition scavenges the atmosphere again. It is this trace gas chemistry, which exercises a pollution control of the atmosphere.

Human activities, especially beginning with the industrial revolution, led to a substantial increase of emissions, which have already degraded the natural chemical state of the atmosphere. Summer smog and polar ozone hole are phenomena, which demonstrate the detrimental impact of anthropogenic activities with particular conspicuity.

The objective of the course is to provide an introduction to the basics of atmospheric chemistry. Students will be enabled to gain a qualitative and quantitative understanding for physical and chemical processes, which control the state of the atmosphere and its sensitivity with respect to violations.

Lecturers:

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