Objective
Infra-red radiation transfers in the 15 (m CO2 band and interactions between planetary, tidal and internal gravity waves play a significant role in the dynamic processes of the middle and upper atmosphere. Without a fundamental study and parameterisations of both the infra-red cooling / heating rate due to CO2 and the wave processes, it is not possible to develop adequate theories of circulation and thermal regime of the atmosphere. The project will explore the middle and upper atmosphere energetics and dynamics by applying data from local, European-scale and global observations, newly developed radiative flux parameterisations, specific tidal and planetary wave models and a mechanistic global circulation model of the middle atmosphere. The project will direct its research towards the comprehensive theoretical and experimental study of the general circulation and wave motions of different scales over the territory of Europe with the aims to estimate the influence of increase in CO2 concentration on the thermal structure of the middle atmosphere; to perform a numerical modelling and parameterisation of the impact of planetary and internal gravity waves on the general circulation; to observe the dynamics of the middle and upper atmosphere over Europe; to develop semi-empirical models of wave climatology; and to compare the theoretical results with experimental data. The project is extremely important for the Earth atmosphere in view of the developments of adequate models for the predictions of an anthropogenetic impact on the atmosphere and for the development of the interpretation techniques for the satellite radiance measurements.
Specific tasks are the establishment of a regional climatology of wave parameters using ground-based remote sensing data, the development of efficient radiative cooling/heating parameterisations allowing the inclusion of anthropogenic CO2 changes in the earth's atmosphere, application of models to the exploration of radiative and dynamical (wave) effects and their iteration and the global simulation of the middle and upper atmosphere circulation, evaluation of the models using experimental results and studies of continental differences of the dynamical characteristics of the upper atmospheric levels.
A comprehensive description of the applied remote sensing methods will be provided. A database will be established which will contain own and acquired observational data used for climatological studies. Refined parameterisations of internal gravity wave effects for the applied models will be developed and explored in comprehensive simulations. Furthermore, an updated and more flexible / cooling parameterisation for the middle and upper atmosphere adjusted to the changing CO2 content will be made available. These products will be used for the simulation of waves of various types and the general circulation of higher atmospheric levels. Overall, the expected result is a better understanding of radiative and atmospheric wave feedback mechanisms.
Call for proposal
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50923 Köln
Germany