SCOUT-03: Stratosphere-climate links with emphasis on the UTLS

• Forschungsstelle: EU FRP
• Projektnummer: 03.0352-1
• Projekttitel Englisch: SCOUT-03: Stratosphere-climate links with emphasis on the UTLS

Schlüsselwörter (Englisch)

Atmospheric chemistry; ozone; climate; dynamics; water vapour

Alternative Projektnummern (Englisch)

EU project number: 505390

Forschungsprogramme (Englisch)

EU-programme: 6. Frame Research Programme - 1.6.3 Urspr. Progr. Global change and ecosystems

Kurzbeschreibung (Englisch)

See abstract

Abstract (Englisch)

Reliable prediction of the future evolution of the ozone layer and surface UV is urgently required as a basis for informed decisions by European policy makers. The state of the ozone layer over the next decades will depend on the interplay between climate change and the impact and evolution of ozone depleting substances such as CFCs. The Montreal Protocol has successfully reduced emissions and atmospheric concentrations of CFCs, which should return to their pre-ozone hole concentrations by about 2050. However, the ozone layer will most likely not return to its pre-ozone hole state and so the central question of the Montreal process - how and when will ozone and UV radiation recover as CFC concentrations fall? - remains. Indeed, in order to provide essential advice to policy makers, the answer to that question is required within the next years.
In this ambitious integrated project, the European predictive capability will be strengthened by focusing effort on 6 main interlinked areas of research: coupled chemistry/climate models; the tropical UTLS; extra tropical ozone and water vapour; UV radiation; global modelling; and fundamental chemical and microphysical processes. Strong scientific management, built on Europe's excellent previous experience in stratospheric science, will bring together a critical mass of European experts in laboratory studies, atmospheric measurements and modelling. It will exploit new satellite data, such as from ENVISAT, and new modelling approaches (e.g. fully-coupled chemistry-climate models; and the growing interaction with the numerical weather forecasting community), and take advantage of new and existing research facilities being developed at the national level. Valuable information for the assessment of the atmospheric impact of aviation will be obtained.
This integrated project will thus provide essential information to European government and industry and will maintain Europe's leading position in stratospheric research.

Datenbankreferenzen (Englisch)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 03.0352-1