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

• Forschungsstelle: EU FRP
• Projektnummer: 03.0352-3
• Projekttitel Englisch: SCOUT-03: Stratosphere-climate links with emphasis on the UTLS

Schlüsselwörter (Englisch)

Ozone and atmospheric composition; aerosol; clouds

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)

The central objective of SCOUT-03 is to provide scientific knowledge for assessments on ozone depletion and climate change. It is the project aim to provide inputs for forecasts, through a programme of research which improves our understanding of fundamental atmospheric processes for inclusion in chemistry/climate models.
The evolution of the ozone layer depends on the interplay between climate change and the impact of ozone depleting substances. The tropics (Activity 2, SCOUT-03 Tropical) are critical for atmospheric prediction since this region is the main entry point for source gases in the stratosphere. In this sense this region is currently understudied, particularly at altitudes of UTLS, what limits the capabilities of the predictive models. Processes (radiative, physical and chemical) involving particles and droplets are central to our understanding; relevant measurements are scarce. Activity 2 involves measurement campaigns, also with research aircraft allowing direct assessment of these altitudes. The measurements combined with modelling studies will improve knowledge about the structure and transport in the tropical UTLS, and hence improve modelling capability.
Observatory of Neuchâtel will contribute to Activity 2 in SCOUT-03 as a partner in the tropical campaign team with the high-altitude research aircraft M55 'Geophysica', The campaign will take place during the first 24 months of the EC project what determines the period of ON participation. For this campaign, ON will install and operate on 'Geophysica' a backscatter/depolarisation lidar to probe the atmosphere downward from the aircraft. The objectives for this probing is to determine the presence and the optical properties of clouds and aerosol layers with respect to their correlation with water vapour and other atmospheric species.

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: 03.0352-3