ESAC I and II: Experimental Studies of Atmospheric Changes, 1st and 2nd phase

Updated 2003-06-25

The main objectives of ESAC II are the following: (1) Extend and improve the important existing Belgian contribution in atmospheric research started in the 50s, recognized internationally. (2) Investigate the chemistry of the atmosphere, to detect and understand its evolution, mainly with experimental means. Special attention will be paid to the evolution of the ozone layer and chemical species and processes with an impact on climate changes. (3) Support the Belgian policies and decisions regarding the Amendments to: - the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer; - the Kyoto Protocol on Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions.

http://www.aeronomie.be/en/

Status: Terminated before completion
Project time span: 1996 - 2005
Data collection: 1996 - 2005
Data processing: not specified
Data reporting: 1996 - 2005

Contact information

Contact person: Martine M.H.J. De Mazière
Address: Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB) Ringlaan 3 B-1180 Brussels Belgium
Phone: +32 2 373 03 63
Fax: +32 2 374 84 23
Email: eb.amo@enitram
Other project contacts: (1) polymnia@oma.be (2) ESAC I and II are supported by the Belgian Prime Minister's Services, the Federal Office for Scientific, Technical and Cultural Affairs (OSTC), under the theme "Global Change, Ecosystems and Biodiversity" of the Multiannual Scientific Support Plan for a Sustainable Development Policy.

Parameters and Media

Parameter groups measured/observed/modelled

Climate change effects

Media sampled/studied/modelled

Air/aerosol

Geography

Regions studied: Climate change effects; Climate change effects
Stations or areas where observations are made: http://www.oma.be/ESACII/Home.html --> Methodology --> Regular monitoring activities & campaign observations

Data availability

References to key publications (or planned publications) and data reports: http://www.oma.be/ESACII/Home.html --> ESAC Publications

Samples/specimens archived in specimen banks?: No

Methods & Procedures

Procedures and methodology used for, e.g., sampling and sample storage, sample pretreatment, extraction and analysis, including which laboratories are involved, references to methods employed, etc.: http://www.oma.be/ESACII/Home.html --> Methodology: (1) Regular monitoring activities (permanent measurements): Long-term surveillance of the atmosphere and related data analysis, validation and interpretation. (2) Campaign observations (3) Extension of observation and data analysis capabilities (4) High-accuracy laboratory spectroscopic measurements in support of atmospheric observations (5) Integration of experimental data with numerical models (6) Valorisation of results

Additional Information

Is this a bi- AND multi-lateral project (i.e. a project involving cooperation between different countries)?: No
Other institutes involved in the project: - Koninklijk Meteorologisch Instituut van België (KMI-IRM): Dr. H. De Backer - Laboratoire de Chimie Physique Moléculaire (LCPM) - Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) : Prof. R. Colin - Institut de Géophysique et d'Astrophysique (IAGL) - Université de Liège (ULg): Dr. E. Mahieu
Is this project reporting to other organizations/programmes?: (1) Links with the NDSC/WMO: Network for the Detection of Stratospheric Change/World Meteorological Organisation.