Photochemistry and Radicals

Investigation of the chemistry of free radicals (OH, HO2, RO2, NO3) in the atmosphere and their impact on the atmospheric self-cleaning and formation of secondary air pollutants (ozone, aerosols etc).

Reactive Trace Substances

Reactive trace gases like hydrocarbons and nitric oxides are emitted in enormous amounts by natural and anthropogenic sources into the atmosphere. The measurement of their concentrations and the review of their depletion paths help us to understand the complex processes, which are needed to remove the contamination from the atmosphere.

Aerosols

Investigations of the sources, the chemical composition, and the micro physical properties of atmospheric aerosols under various aspectes.

Global Monitoring

The tropopause region and the adjacent layers of the upper troposphere and lowermost stratosphere (UTLS) are very sensitive to changes of the chemical composition and the climate. However, the knowledge about this region is still limited.

Atmospheric Modelling

Our central goal is to expand our understanding of tropospheric processes and accurately model the atmospheric composition.

Atmosphere and Climate

At the Institute of Energy and Climate Research (IEK), scientists investigate the physical and chemical processes in the atmosphere as well as their interactions in the entire climate system.

Development of measurement techniques

Provision of quality-controlled atmosphere observation data

Predictions