Investigating two-way linkages between mid-latitude air pollution and Arctic climate change

Observations show that the Arctic has warmed rapidly in the past few decades compared with global-mean temperature increases. Model calculations suggest that changes in short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) such as tropospheric ozone and aerosol particles in the northern hemisphere may have contributed a large fraction to Arctic warming. Contributions to Arctic warming from radiative forcing within and outside the Arctic are poorly quantified, and their diagnosis from model simulations is highly sensitive to uncertainties in model processes controlling export of pollution from mid latitudes, local sources, and atmospheric processing. Moreover, recent work has shown that warming in the Arctic may result in changes in northern hemisphere atmospheric circulation patterns that may have effects on wintertime mid-latitude air pollution.

In this project, you will regional atmospheric modeling and Earth system modelling alongside observations of atmospheric composition from aircraft, satellite and surface stations to improve understanding of 2-way linkages between SLCP abundances at mid-latitudes and Arctic climate. The overarching aims of the project are to investigate and evaluate: 1) simulation of SLCP continental export and resultant radiative forcing at mid-latitudes, and impacts on Arctic surface temperature response, and 2) implications of Arctic climate change on mid-latitude air quality through atmospheric circulation changes.
The student will benefit from expertise in both numerical atmospheric chemistry-climate modelling and analysis of large geophysical datasets. The project provides a high level of specialist scientific training in: (i) State-of-the-science application and analysis of global atmospheric models; (ii) analysis and interpretation of in-situ aircraft datasets and satellite datasets (iii) numerical modeling and use of supercomputers, (iv) science communication with expert and non-expert groups through attendance at international workshops on SLCP research and impacts. The student will gain benefits from closely collaborating with internationally leading groups from Europe, the US and Asia, and from attending workshops and meetings to work alongside international experts in atmospheric chemistry and climate.

The student will join a group of around 8 students and postdoctoral researchers working on projects in atmospheric composition and its links to climate, air quality and the biosphere. For more information about our research and recent publications, see: http://homepages.see.leeds.ac.uk/~lecsra. We encourage interested applicants to get in touch and arrange an informal visit to Leeds to meet and talk informally with the group.