2012

Recovery of the ozone layer continues

Researchers at the DLR Institute of Atmospheric Physics have been instrumental in the preparation of a report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) regarding the development of the ozone layer in the stratosphere. Based on estimates, by about the mid 21st century, the ozone layer will have the same thickness as it had in the early eighties. The latest evaluations of space-based measurements acquired by the DLR Remote Sensing Technology Institute, combined with model computations from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics support the statement that the regeneration of the ozone layer continues.

Increase of Arctic pollution due to climate change – IPA investigates emission sources in the Arctic

Impacts of global warming lead to an increase of pollution import into the polar region, as well as to an enhancement of local emissions in the Arctic. Since the 1960s, the Arctic Ocean ice cover has decreased by 50%. Transpolar shipping and hydrocarbon resource extraction therefore is expected to heavily increase in the foreseeable future. Transport of pollution into the polar region already is enhanced, mainly due to import of Siberian and North American biomass burning emissions. Within the framework of the ACCESS project (Arctic Climate Change, Economy and Society), scientists of the Institute of Atmospheric Physics performed in-situ measurements in the Arctic in July 2012.

Aviation-induced cirrus cover detected from diurnal cycle over North Atlantic

Linear cirrus clouds of ice particles, so-called contrails, are often visible behind cruising aircraft. Contrails have been identified from their linear structure in satellite data. However, the total amount of cirrus cover could only be estimated from model simulations. For the first time the cover by aviation-induced cirrus clouds was observed from Meteosat satellite observations using traffic data provided by EUROCONTROL.

50 years Institute of Atmospheric Physics

The DLR Institute of Atmospheric Physics celebrates its 50th anniversary. The institute was founded on 1 July 1962 from two precursory institutes, the Institute of Aviation Meteorology and the Institute of Airspace Research. This event will be acknowledged by a scientific colloquium on 29 June 2012 with contributions by invited speakers from different countries.

Measurement flights on the formation of ozone by thunderstorms

Thunderstorms have a significant effect on the formation of ozone. Nitrogen oxide is produced as a result of lightning; this in turn yields ozone at altitudes of 10 kilometres. Strong updraughts in thunderstorms also transport emissions from the ground into the upper atmosphere. But how significant is this effect – compared to aviation, for example? Researchers of the DLR Institute of Atmospheric Physics, in collaboration with the US National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), NASA and other partners, are studying such questions. To this end, they will be conducting measurement flights in the United States until mid-June. The researchers are looking to increase the existing body of data and gain a better understanding of the processes that take place in thunderstorms.