Completion of
Global Chemical Weather Forecasting System
Forecasting Air Pollution
on a Global Scale
March 4, 2002
NASDA
JAMSTEC
Dr.
Hajime Akimoto, the Program Director of the Atmospheric Composition Research Program
within the FRSGC (a joint project of NASDA and JAMSTEC), along with Group Leader
Dr. Masaaki Takahashi (who is also Professor of the Center for Climate System
Research, University of Tokyo) and Researcher Dr. Masayuki Takigawa have developed
a model system that enables chemical weather forecasts for the Earth. The use
of this model system enables a daily chemical weather map to be drawn for the
whole world, not just East Asia, and allows predictions of air pollution on a
global scale. These results will be reported at the FRSGC/FORSGC Annual Symposium
2002 "What is Happening on Our Mother Earth?" to be held this year on
March 19 and 20 at the Kokuyo Hall in Shinagawa, Tokyo.
Background
Previously,
localized atmospheric pollution forecasts were carried out for urban photochemical
smog, but recently atmospheric pollution has been recognized anew as a global
issue. For example, the industrial pollution from North America and Asia has a
strong impact on atmospheric pollution in Europe, which is a huge concern.
Research
has still hardly progressed into the possibility that long-distance transport
of ozone from East Asia affects how the United States meets its environmental
standards. As we proceed to discuss China's impact, a key strategy will also be
to consider the influence exerted by Europe at the same time. Against this backdrop,
the development of the chemical weather map and chemical weather forecasting system
has received increasing attention worldwide. The Atmospheric Composition Research
Program, which has developed the system, was quick to recognize the importance
of this area of research, and in collaboration with Kyushu University has already
finished development of a chemical weather map and chemical weather forecasts
for East Asia.
This has now been developed into a global project, ranking at
the top of its field in the world (Ref 1, Ref
2).
Results
The development
of the global chemical weather forecasting system makes possible the prediction
of air pollution on a global scale. Using this model system enables a daily chemical
weather map to be drawn for the whole world with predictions for up to several
days in advance. For example, a view can be seen of the intercontinental transport
of atmospheric pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides,
and ozone that travel from Europe to East Asia, on to North America, and back
to Europe (Fig. 1, Ref. 3). Further,
the chemical weather map can be expanded, and while relating it to standard meteorological
weather maps, the factors controlling the long-distance transport of atmospheric
pollutants from the Chinese continent to Japan can also be investigated in detail
(Ref. 4).
Contacts
Frontier
Research System for Global Change, Joint Promotion Office
Contact: Ms. Akiba
Tel: +81 (0)45-778-5684 (direct)
Homepage: http://www.jamstec.go.jp/frsgc/jp/index.html
NASDA,
Public Relations Office
Tel: +81 (0)3-3438-6107 to 6109
Homepage http://www.nasda.go.jp
JAMSTEC,
Public Relations Office, General Affairs Department
Tel: +81 (0)468-67-9066
Homepage: http://www.jamstec.go.jp
