This project provides an opportunity for added-value research products, whereby large data sets can be collected and interpreted by the scientific community. This will influence policy decisions and future research objectives.
The importance of SOLAS global flux products is highlighted by the example of the reactive halogen compounds containing Chlorine, Bromine and Iodine. These are known to influence the atmospheric ozone budget and oxidising capacity of the atmosphere. Further information is provided in the Halogens in the Troposphere White Paper.
It has already been established that these compounds have oceanic sources (e.g. Lovelock (1975) and Chuck et al. (2005) ). However, a global 'map' of surface concentrations and fluxes into the atmosphere has never been created.
Many climate-relevant compounds produced in the oceans have biological sources, and are therefore sensitive to environmental change. Despite the recognised importance of trace gases, aerosols and climatically-active gases at a global level, climate models are yet to deal with many of them in a quantitative manner.
The data sets produced by this project will facilitate the inclusion of climate-relevant substances in global circulation models and will thus substantially develop current understanding of global processes and feedbacks.
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©2014, NERC. Last updated:
February 11, 2014