Glaring gaps in our understanding of the chemical composition and physical and chemical processes in the global upper troposphere impede our ability to reliably use satellite observations of atmospheric composition as constraints on air pollution and to determine the true influence of tropospheric ozone on global climate and changes in atmospheric oxidants on air quality and the persistence and climate impact of the potent greenhouse gas methane. Central to these knowledge gaps is the sources, processing and fate of a family of chemicals known as reactive nitrogen. These uncertainties persist due to the lack of routine reliable observations of this family of compounds in the remote upper troposphere.
Though the upper troposphere is far away (8-12 km overhead), it is an important contributor to the quality of the air we breathe and it also affects the formation and persistence of climate-altering greenhouse gases. Without a clear understanding of the processes occurring in the upper troposphere, we are unable to develop well-informed policies that improve air quality and curtail a climate emergency.
The overarching objective of UpTrop is to address gaps in observations and knowledge of the processes occurring in the upper troposphere and use this new knowledge to determine the true influence of the upper troposphere on Earth’s atmosphere. We will achieve this using innovative data derivation techniques, rigorous statistical methods, state-of-art models, and recently launched space-based instruments with unprecedented spatial resolution.
