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| IGAC | |
|---|---|
| Name | IGAC |
| Formation | 1990 |
| Type | International scientific research project |
| Headquarters | Beijing, China (current co-sponsors and secretariat rotate) |
| Leader title | Co-chairs |
IGAC is an international research project focused on understanding the chemistry of the atmosphere and its interactions with the biosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and human activities. Founded at a multinational meeting in 1990, IGAC coordinates field campaigns, modeling activities, and synthesis studies involving universities, national laboratories, and intergovernmental programs. IGAC serves as a focal point for cooperation among researchers associated with programs such as World Meteorological Organization, United Nations Environment Programme, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme.
IGAC emerged from discussions at meetings connected to International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme and Global Atmosphere Research Programme where scientists recognized the need to integrate atmospheric chemistry into global change research. Early workshops convened participants from National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, European Space Agency, and institutions such as Max Planck Society and Chinese Academy of Sciences. Landmark early projects involved collaborations with campaigns like TRACE-P and ACE-Asia, reflecting ties to researchers who had worked on Montreal Protocol-related issues and Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer discussions. Over subsequent decades, IGAC influenced synthesis assessments cited by panels including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and workshops held under the auspices of International Council for Science.
IGAC’s stated objectives emphasize advancing knowledge about atmospheric chemistry processes that affect air quality, climate, and ecosystem health. The group aims to coordinate international field studies, promote development of observational networks associated with Global Atmosphere Watch, support model intercomparisons linked to projects like Aerosol Comparisons between Observations and Models and facilitate training and capacity building with partners such as United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and World Health Organization. Objectives include synthesizing insights relevant to policy forums such as the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution and informing assessments by bodies like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Research themes encompass atmospheric composition, aerosol-cloud interactions, chemical feedbacks to climate, and emissions from natural and anthropogenic sources. Activities include coordinating intensive field campaigns similar in scope to NASA TRACE-P and model intercomparison projects influenced by efforts at European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and National Center for Atmospheric Research. IGAC supports measurement networks linked to Global Atmospheric Watch and data synthesis that draws on satellite missions such as Aqua (satellite), Terra (satellite), and instruments from Copernicus Programme. The program fosters development of chemical transport models used at institutions like Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and encourages incorporation of biogeochemical insights from groups such as International Nitrogen Initiative.
IGAC is governed by an international science steering committee with rotating co-chairs drawn from major research centers such as Peking University, University of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and University of Tokyo. Operational support has been provided through partnerships with secretariats located at organizations including World Climate Research Programme and national agencies like Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission. IGAC establishes task teams and working groups that report to sponsors such as Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research-linked bodies and coordinates with regional committees modeled after structures in European Commission science frameworks. Funding and in-kind support come from a mix of agencies including National Science Foundation, Natural Environment Research Council, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, and philanthropic foundations.
Major IGAC-coordinated efforts include multinational campaigns studying biomass burning plumes, urban pollution, and Arctic haze. Examples of large-scale efforts aligned with IGAC priorities include campaigns analogous to ABoVE, HIPPO, AMMA and regional efforts similar to Campaign for the Regional Atmosphere Chemistry. Projects often interface with satellites like Sentinel-5P and aircraft campaigns operated by National Aeronautics and Space Administration and European Space Agency. IGAC also led community model intercomparison efforts that mirror initiatives such as AeroCom and contributed to synthesis reports that paralleled outputs from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessment cycles.
IGAC maintains collaborations with intergovernmental programs and research networks including World Meteorological Organization, United Nations Environment Programme, Global Climate Observing System, and regional networks such as Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research and African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis. Academic partnerships span universities like Columbia University, ETH Zurich, University of California, Irvine, and Purdue University while national laboratories such as Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory frequently contribute. IGAC links to policy-oriented bodies including the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution and engages with measurement consortia like Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change.
IGAC has contributed to improved understanding of tropospheric chemistry, aerosol radiative effects, and deposition-driven ecosystem impacts. Work coordinated by IGAC has informed assessments on topics addressed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and contributed data used in studies by agencies such as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and European Environment Agency. The program’s campaigns and synthesis activities have advanced model development at centers like National Center for Atmospheric Research and Meteorological Research Institute and supported training of early-career scientists from institutions such as Indian Institute of Science and University of São Paulo. IGAC’s legacy includes fostering interdisciplinary networks that bridge expertise from satellite programs like Copernicus Programme to field efforts modeled after Global Atmosphere Watch.
Category:Atmospheric chemistry organizations