Sabbatical for six months at the JRC in Ispra/Italy for (1) measurement of NH3 and other trace gases in the atmosphere in a region with very variable and high NH3 values (2) to intensify the cooperation with the JRC

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Justus Notholt
• Subject Area: Atmospheric Science
• Term: Funded in 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 287116743

The aim of the proposal is to finance a stay at the Joint Research Center in Ispra / northern Italy as part of a sabbatical. During the six-month stay ) the variability of tropospheric trace gases will be measured using the solar absorption spectroscopy in the infrared (FTIR spectroscopy). The solar absorption spectroscopy allows the simultaneous measurement of the concentrations of about 20 atmospheric trace gases. These include the tropospheric trace gases CO, C2H6, C2H2, CH2O, HCN, OCS, NH3 and H2O. The focus of the project are measurement of NH3, a trace gas which has not been studied in detail so far. The measurements yield the total column concentrations and the vertical profiles of NH3 in about two layers of the atmosphere. The FTIR measurements are complemented by in-situ measurements on the 100 m high Tall Tower in Ispra and by in-situ measurements at the local EMEP station.Satellite measurements indicate high concentrations and great variability of NH3 in northern Italy. Knowing the concentrations of a variety of other trace gases by the FTIR measurements, and the in-situ observations at the Tall Tower Station and the EMEP station, enables a better understanding of the very complex and partially coupled chemical and dynamical processes. The observations allow improving our knowledge on the variability of atmospheric NH3, and provide valuable information for understanding the atmospheric NH3 budget. Furthermore, the measurements serve for satellite and model validation. The sabbatical will serve to intensify the cooperation with the JRC in Ispra.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Italy
• Cooperation Partners: Professor Jens Hjorth, Ph.D.; Dr. Niels Roland Jensen