This Division is conducting research to understand and solve atmospheric environmental problems, ranging from urban air pollution to global and trans-boundary atmosphere-related issues. It is conducting the following fundamental research in order to explain and predict the behavior and properties of atmosphere, and key reactions in it.
 Atmospheric Physics Section
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This section conducts research on the effects of clouds and aerosols on global warming; the effect of global warming on climate change; natural climate variability over decadal periods; the interaction between cumulus convection and large-scale flows; the effect of land surface process on climate systems; the circulation of air pollutants in East Asia; and the transport and circulation of substances in the atmosphere. For the purposes, observational data including conventional meteorological data and satellite data are analyzed, and numerical experiments using mathematical models of climate are performed.
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Atmospheric Chemical Reaction Section
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In order to understand urban smog, trans-boundary atmospheric pollution and other global environmental problems, the Atmospheric Chemical Reaction Section is employing physicochemical methodologies, such as large-scale photochemical reaction chambers, laser spectrometry and mass spectrometry, to conduct research on various chemical reactions and the processes of transformation and deposition of air pollutants.
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Atmospheric Remote Sensing Section
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Researchers in Atmospheric Remote Sensing Section are conducting observations of atmospheric environment using remote sensing techniques such as lidars (laser radars). They also develop new remote sensing techniques for ground-based and space-borne measurements. Specific examples of recent research activities include lidar observations of vertical distribution of aerosols from forest fires and air pollution in Indonesia, observations of yellow sand aerosols transported from China using a network of ground-based lidars and other instruments, and lidar observations of aerosols and clouds over the Pacific using a multi-function lidar on board the research vessel Mirai.
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Atmospheric Measurement Section
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In order to clarify material cycles in the atmosphere, the Atmospheric Measurement Laboratory is performing field observations of natural and anthropogenic trace species, such as the greenhouse gases and aerosol, on a local and global scale, and studying their temporal and spatial distributions.
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Acid Deposition Research Team
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The Acid Deposition Research Team is conducting research on trans-boundary air pollutants, including their emission, transport and their effects. Aircraft and other means are used to measure the advection and dispersion of airborne pollutants. Long-range acid rain transport models are used to evaluate sources. Forest, lake and river ecosystem are studied. We are also developing various new methods of measurement and observation to accomplish this research.
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The results of global warming calculations based on a coupled ocean-atmosphere climate model.
The illustration shows the increase in surface air temperature from the present to the 50-year period from 2040 to 2090. The increase arises from an increase in concentration of greenhouse gases and aerosols generated by human activity.
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Relationship between methane concentration and the 14C content in air samples obtained over oil fields near Surgut in western Siberia in summer and winter. The 14C contents are reported using the percent modern (pM) scale, which is defined by pM=(14Csample/14Cstandard)x100. |
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Lidar apparatus installed on the research vessel Mirai
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Vertical structure of aerosols and clouds observed with lidar installed on the research vessel Mirai. The area from red to yellow indicates aerosols, and the white area indicates clouds. The graph begins on the left, charting data collected over three days from the time the ship left port at Yokohama, passed under the Baiu rain front and then arrived at the coastal waters of the Mariana Islands. It captures changes in the distribution pattern of aerosols as the distance from land increases, and the structure of clouds before and after the Baiu Front. |
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Outline