Atmosphere

World class research contributing to our understanding of greenhouse gases, ozone depletion, and urban air pollution.

MethaneSAT

Detecting and quantifying methane emissions by satellite. The core mission of this unique satellite is to support reductions in methane emissions around the world, primarily by reducing leaks from oil and gas production. NIWA's Dr Sara Mikaloff Fletcher is leading a science programme to develop capability to map agricultural emissions and determine the best places for the satellite to look for methane emissions around the world.

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    Summer series extra: Beware the humidity blues

    News article
    21 January 2014
    In summer, extreme humidity – high and low – can send us round the bend. So what is it, why does it make us feel so bad, and how can we beat it?

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    Raw footage - Wellington storm, June 21 2013

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    What is a mass spectrometer?

    Education Resource
    Much of NIWA's science uses an instrument known as a mass spectrometer. But what is a mass spectrometer, and how to they work?
    Climate change

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    Nitrous oxide

    Research Project
    Nitrous oxide (N2O), commonly known as laughing gas, is an important greenhouse gas. Naturally produced by bacteria in soils and oceans, agriculture is the main source of human-produced nitrous oxide.

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    Ozone

    Research Project
    There is a marked seasonal cycle in surface ozone (O3), with a maximum in winter and minimum in summer. There can also be significant variability from day to day caused by synoptic scale meteorological variations.
    UV and ozone

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    Carbon monoxide

    Facility
    Carbon monoxide (CO) plays a key role in atmospheric chemistry because it is the largest sink for hydroxyl radical (OH). OH is often called the 'detergent' of the atmosphere because it destroys many harmful pollutants.
    Greenhouse and trace gases

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    Bruker Spectrometers

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    Trace gas datasets - naming conventions and data formats

    Facility
    Trace gas datasets - naming conventions and data formats

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    Summer Series 1: Ready to rumble - the anatomy of a summer thunderstorm

    News article
    03 January 2013

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    Internationally significant CO2 site celebrates 40 years

    News article
    14 December 2012
    Climate change

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    NIWA celebrates success of the Montreal Protocol

    News article
    14 September 2012
    Antarctica

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    NIWA remains committed to its atmospheric science

    News article
    31 July 2012
    NIWA will continue, as planned, to support Lauder as a key facility in our atmospheric research portfolio.