FORMAT: Formaldehyde as a tracer of photooxidation in the troposphere

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 01.0233

Key words (English)

Environmental Protection; Forecasting; Meteorology; Resources of the Sea; Fisheries
JRC

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: EVK2-2001-00120

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.4b.1 Cleaner energy systems, including renewables

Short description (English)

See abstract

Abstract (English)

There are still uncertainties regarding the processes behind tropospheric ozone formation.
The aim is to increase our insight into these processes. The main objective of FORMAT is to obtain better knowledge of the regional and global distribution of formaldehyde, an important intermediate in the oxidation of hydrocarbons to CO and a source of oxidative radicals. This can lead to better prediction of smog episodes and to better quantification of emissions from biomass burning. A socio-economic WP will quantify the benefits from the project.

The objectives will be reached by measurements and modelling. Measurements will be done from the ground, aircraft and satellites.
3-D chemical transport models will be used: a regional model covering Europe and a global model.
FORMAT will give better insight in ozone formation processes and hence give better prediction of smog episodes.

Start Date: 2001-11-01

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 01.0233