Professor Lee Murray, Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, presents “The Coupling of Reactive Chemistry in the Atmosphere with Global Climate.”

The lecture is part of the Center for Energy and Environment’s Jesse L. Rosenberger Seminar Series, cosponsored by the Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, NY.

Abstract: The reactive chemistry of the atmosphere has changed substantially since the preindustrial era resulting from human activity and climate change. In turn, climate change has influence atmospheric composition through perturbations of natural processes, leading to complex feedbacks across a range of spatial and temporal scales. Here, I preset some ongoing projects aimed at characterizing the interface between atmospheric chemistry and Earth’s climate system in the past, present and future.

First, I explore the coupling between the primary atmospheric oxidants OH and ozone with the production of reactive nitrogen oxides (NOx) from lightning, and the subsequent impacts on surface air quality and long-term climate.

Second, I explore how uncertainty in reactive nitrogen chemistry and hydrocarbon oxidation mechanisms in the atmosphere contribute to uncertainties in chemistry-climate feedbacks, and ongoing efforts to evaluate these processes in global models through the ongoing NASA Atmospheric Tomography airborne mission.

Lastly, I introduce a pilot monitoring network and inverse modeling framework for methane, the most abundant atmospheric hydrocarbon and potent greenhouse gas, that is presently being installed to aid New York State in assessing and meeting its greenhouse-gas reduction goals.

Wednesday, March 7 at 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Hutchison Hall , Lander Auditorium (140)
Hutchison Rd, Rochester, NY 14620