The Institute IEK-8 explores the chemistry of the troposphere, performs global observations, and simulates atmospheric chemistry and transport processes by numerical models.

Anthropogenic activities, in particular increasing energy use and production, and natural processes release large quantities of trace substances into the atmosphere influencing living conditions on Earth. Since the beginning of the industrialisation in the 19th century, a significant increase of atmospheric trace gases and pollutants has been observed world-wide. On one side, changing greenhouse gases and aerosols perturb the energy balance of the atmosphere and thereby the climate system. On the other side, increasing air pollution levels constitute a threat to human and ecosystem health especially in industrialised countries and large cities.

News and Events

A Measurement Network for Healthier Cities

Air pollution, noise pollution, a negative impact on ecosystems, climate change, and an adverse effect on human health – these are all consequences of global transportation.

Successful ACTRIS Annual Meeting 2023

The ACTRIS community held its annual meeting in Heraklion, Greece, from 24th to 27th October 2023, with 10 project participants from the Institute for Energy and Climate Research IEK-8 attending.

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Photochemistry and Radicals

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).

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Reactive Trace Substances

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.

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Aerosols

Investigations of the sources, the chemical composition, and the micro physical properties of atmospheric aerosols under various aspectes.

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Global Monitoring

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.

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Atmospheric Modelling

Our central goal is to expand our understanding of tropospheric processes and accurately model the atmospheric composition.

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Publications IEK-8