701-0471-01L  Atmospheric Chemistry

Courses

Catalogue data

Abstract	This course covers the chemical and physical processes controlling the composition of the troposphere and stratosphere and introduces the relevant fundamentals for processes in the gas phase, in aerosols and clouds. These concepts are explored in the context of key environmental issues, such as urban air pollution, stratospheric ozone depletion, and air quality connections to climate change.
Learning objective	At the end of this course, students are able to: 1. describe the structure of the atmosphere and list atmospheric components and their main properties 2. define and describe the chemical and physical processes in the stratosphere and troposphere, follow reaction mechanisms, and apply rate laws 3. describe the physical and chemical principles of air pollution and summarize the most important legislative measures 4. discuss the local, regional, and global aspects of interactions between air quality, ecosystem health, and climate
Content	- Origin and properties of the atmosphere: composition (gases and aerosols), atmospheric structure, UV radiation, transport timescales - Kinetics of gas phase reactions: rate laws, mechanisms of bimolecular and termolecular reactions. - Stratospheric chemistry: Chapman cycle, catalytic ozone destruction cycles, polar ozone hole, Montreal protocol - Tropospheric chemistry: oxidizing capacity of the troposphere and the role of OH, oxidation and global budgets of CO and CH4, role of NOx, and the global tropospheric O3 budget - Surface ozone chemistry: HOx-NOx cycle, role of VOCs, O3 isopleth, ozone production efficiency - Aerosols: primary and secondary sources, composition, quantities and measures, connections to climate - Multiphase chemistry: solubility of gases, Raoult’s Law and hygroscopicity, kinetics of gas to particle transfer, N2O5 chemistry, aqueous phase sulfur chemistry, secondary organic aerosol formation - Air quality: role of planetary boundary layer, deposition processes, summer- versus winter-smog, environmental problems, legislation, long-term trends - Global aspects: air quality - climate interactions
Lecture notes	Lecture materials (slides) are provided continuously during the semester, at least 2 days before each lecture. Annotations and corrections are provided at the latest within the same week.
Prerequisites / Notice	Attendance of the lecture "Atmosphäre" LV 701-0023-00L or equivalent knowledge is a pre-requisite, and basic courses in physics and chemistry are expected. On Mondays (or upon agreement) a tutorial is offered. This allows the students to discuss unresolved issues from the lecture or to discuss the problems of the exercise series and their solution. Participation is recommended.
Competencies	Subject-specific Competencies Concepts and Theories assessed Method-specific Competencies Analytical Competencies assessed Problem-solving assessed Personal Competencies Creative Thinking fostered Critical Thinking assessed

Performance assessment

Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course
ECTS credits	3 credits
Examiners	M. Ammann, C. Heald, C. Mohr
Type	session examination
Language of examination	English
Repetition	The performance assessment is offered every session. Repetition possible without re-enrolling for the course unit.
Mode of examination	oral 20 minutes
Additional information on mode of examination	From the first week of the semester onwards, problem sets will be given out weekly in the form of exercises. In the second half of the semester, a voluntary written intermediate examination lasting 45 minutes will be held during the lecture, which is based on the learning elements submitted and discussed previously. This grade contributes 30% to the final grade if it is better than the oral session examination. Submitting at least 8 problem sets in the form of an independently created complete solution attempt will result in an increase in the final grade by 0.25 grade points.
This information can be updated until the beginning of the semester; information on the examination timetable is binding.

Learning materials

Groups

Restrictions

Offered in

Programme	Section	Type
Atmospheric and Climate Science Master	Prerequisites	W
Earth and Climate Sciences Bachelor	Advanced	W+
Environmental Sciences Bachelor	Atmosphere and Climate	W
Environmental Sciences Master	Prerequisites	W