CoE in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Meteorology of Atmospheric Composition and Climate Change
Research at the CoE is aimed at reducing the scientific uncertainty that continues to surround climate change. One of the major uncertainties has to do with aerosol particles, particularly the interactions between aerosol particles, clouds and climate. For these purposes it is necessary to have an in-depth understanding of the formation and dynamics of aerosol particles and cloud droplets.
Another major focus of research is the investigation of how biological processes and the biogeochemical cycle impact aerosol particles and atmospheric trace gases (ozone, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons). Furthermore, scientists at the CoE are interested to find out how particles and trace gases impact these processes.
The research work is both multi- and transdisciplinary. It makes use of a wide range of skills and competencies in the fields of physics, chemistry, meteorology, biology, ecology and environmental sciences.
The CoE is the world’s leading research unit in its field. The continuity and wide range of its measurements, covering everything from mass transfers between the ecosystem and atmosphere through aerosol particles, traces gases, carbon dioxide and meteorology to soil chemistry, mean that it has a very strong headstart.
Research aims
Research at the CoE comprises five work packages that focus on 1) the formation and growth of aerosol particles, 2) the dynamics of atmospheric ion clusters and neutral clusters, 3) the interaction between aerosol particles and clouds, 4) the interaction between the biosphere and atmosphere and 5) the global atmospheric system as a whole.
The CoE engages in both experimental and theoretical research. The former relies primarily on continuing field measurements (at Hyytiälä, Värriö, Pallas, Puijo and Helsinki) and measurement campaigns all over the world. An important aspect of the experimental work is to develop and produce new measurement instruments, which involves working closely with business and industry. On the theoretical side, the main effort is devoted to building new theories, developing new models and performing extensive simulations. Modelling comprises everything from molecular mechanics through to global climate models.
The results have significant application among other things in decision-making related to climate change.
CoE organisation
The CoE is headed by Academy Professor Markku Kulmala from the University of Helsinki Department of Physical Sciences. Professor Kulmala has published over 360 scientific articles, 10 of which have appeared in the prestigious journals Nature and Science. He has received the Finnish Science Award in 2003 and the International Aerosol Fellow Award in 2004.
The units involved in the CoE are the Department of Physical Sciences, Department of Forest Ecology and Department of Chemistry from the University of Helsinki; the Department of Applied Physics from the University of Kuopio; and the Finnish Meteorological Institute.
CoE staff includes 30 professors and other senior scientists and around 100 other scientists or postgraduate students.
Contact information
Academy Professor Markku Kulmala, University of Helsinki, Department of Physical Sciences, tel. +358 9 191 50756, firstname.lastname @helsinki.fi