Aim
Our observational studies of atmospheric composition mainly focus on tropospheric ozone and aerosols. Ozone and black carbon aerosol particles are known as "short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs)", which are atmospheric pollutants and simultaneously induce global warming. Scientific knowledge on their source and sink assists decision makers to choose best options to jointly mitigate air pollution and warming in the near-term future, while CO2 reduction is inevitable to control climate on a longer-term basis.
Our focus is on East Asia/Pacific region, where dramatic change in air composition is ongoing due to the rapid economy growth. Increased emission of NOx and organics affects ozone/PM2.5 production and nitrogen cycles etc. However, quantitative knowledge is still in short to fully elucidate the processes. We combine field and satellite observations to better understand them.
We recently broadened our regional scope to the Arctic and open oceans, to conduct global survey of atmospheric composition change, using research vessels MIRAI etc. In this study, more natural processes are also our target; e.g., roles of ocean-derived aerosol particles on the climate/cloud systems, their relation to the biosphere etc. Together with IACE, we also aim elucidation of sources and transport pathways of black carbon, traveling from the mid-latitudes to the Arctic. We are also specialized in optics and develop our original instruments and conduct field/laboratory studies.