Atmosphere - Research Projects

Science Centres: Atmosphere

SAGE - SOLAS Air-Sea Gas Exchange Experiment

An experiment to artificially stimulate plankton growth in a 50 km2 test area of ocean. This led to a better understanding of the emission and absorption of gases from the ocean, and the effect this has on the climate.

NZ SOLAS (Ocean–Atmosphere Interactions)

This research aims to provide better predictions of changes in the ocean and climate system, particularly the way in which the ocean around New Zealand regulates greenhouse gases and clouds.

Tools for Assessing Exposure to Land Transport Emissions

This is an 18-month research project funded by New Zealand Transport Agency, developing two core models for assessing the exposure of populations to air pollution arising from vehicle tailpipe emissions.

Greenhouse Gases and Climate Sensitivity - Insights from Ice Cores

Analysing ancient air trapped in ice cores for signatures of the natural carbon sinks of the past. This will show how the earth has responded to natural climate change in the past, and help predict the climate change feedback processes in the future, which may be caused by today’s carbon sinks as they respond to a warming planet.

Agricultural Emissions of Greenhouse Gases

This project aims to estimate emissions of the greenhouse gases methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) from NZ’s pastoral farming systems, and to estimate the effectiveness of different approaches to reducing them.

Total Carbon Column Observing Network

NIWA participates in the Total Carbon Column Observing Network, a ground-based observing network dedicated to making precise and accurate measurements of greenhouse gas concentrations in different parts of the atmosphere.

UPTECH - NZ: Ultrafine Particles from Traffic Emissions and Childrens’ Health in New Zealand

UPTECH is a world-leading observational study currently underway in SE Queensland. UPTECH-NZ is one of several related projects around the world which seek to investigate the same basic questions in a co-ordinated way and ensure the international validity of UPTECH’s findings.

Healthy Urban Atmospheres

Healthy Urban Atmospheres (HUA) is an 8-year air quality research Programme funded by FRST that will provide measurements and tools for a successful air quality management in New Zealand’s cities.

Atmospheric Ozone, Ultraviolet Radiation, and Stratospheric Change

CFCs have damaged the ozone layer and led to higher UV levels and increased health risks. Our role is to understand the causes and effects of ozone depletion, to inform the public of the risk.

Antarctic Ozone

The antarctic ozone hole has a major effect on the local climate, and the future of antarctica will go on to influence global climate and sea level changes. Modelling the atmospheric chemistry of feedback processes between stratospheric ozone and the antarctic climate will Increase the accuracy of global climate models.