University of
Malta
Department of
Physics
RCM Research Potential at the U i
University of Malta,
it f M lt
Department of Physics
Department of Physics
N l A ili & Ch l V S
Noel Aquilina & Charles V. Sammut
t
ESF‐MedCLIVAR Workshop, Trieste, 13‐16 October 2008
University of
Malta
O li
Outline
Department of
Physics
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The University of Malta
The
University of Malta
Faculty of Science and Department of Physics
Atmospheric Sciences Activities
RCM background
PRECIS Model
Initial Experiments
Initial Experiments
Future Work and Ideas
University of
Malta
Department of
Physics
U i
University
i off Malta
M l
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Originated as Collegium Melitense, set up 12th November 1592 & run by the Jesuits
History: http://www.um.edu.mt/about/uom/history
There are now 11 Faculties 15 Institutes &
There are now 11 Faculties, 15 Institutes & 8 Centres
Student population: circa 10 000 including over
Student population: circa 10,000, including over 750 foreign/exchange students from nearly 80 countries
Over 2,500 students graduate in various d
disciplines annually
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ll
University of
Malta
Department of
Physics
Th Faculty
The
F l off Science
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Established on 17th Sep 1915
First Dean was Sir Temi Zammit Professor
First Dean was Sir Temi Zammit, Professor of Chemistry, who later became Rector
University of
Malta
Department of
Physics
D
Departments
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5 Departments
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Biology
Chemistry
M h
Mathematics
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Physics
Statistics & Operations Research
University of
Malta
Department of
Physics
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Department
off Ph
Physics
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8 full time academic members and other associate and part time members
Main research fields:
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Atmospheric science (air quality modelling and p
( q
y
g
monitoring; RCM) Electromagnetics and applications
Geophysics and seismology
Geophysics and seismology
Computational physics
University of
Malta
Department of
Physics
A
Atmospheric
h i S
Science
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Groups
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Air quality
– Modelling
Modelling of aerosol dispersal in street of aerosol dispersal in street
canyons
– Indoor air quality modelling
Indoor air quality modelling
– Monitoring of background concentrations of CO SO2 and O
CO, SO
d O3:
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Atmospheric Pollution Research Unit runs a GAW station on the island of Gozo. i
h i l d fG
University of
Malta
Atmospheric Pollution Research Unit
Department of
Physics
The GAW station at Giordan Lighthouse on the side of Gozo
Xewkija station
University of
Malta
Department of
Physics
RCM bbackground
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Members of Atmospheric Science Group responsible for preparation of Malta’s National Communications to the UNFCCC
INC submitted June 2004
SNC project started June 2007
SNC project started June 2007
Projects financed by GEF through UNDP
SNC main tasks:
– Updating of the GHG emissions inventory (2004‐2006)
– Re‐analysis of potential measures to abate GHG emissions, projections of emissions to 2025
– Re‐assessment of potential impacts of climate change on vulnerable areas and proposal of adaptation
on vulnerable areas and proposal of adaptation measures
University of
Malta
Department of
Physics
RCM bbackground
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Design and implementation of adaptation measures relies on impact studies
Assessment of impacts requires climate prediction and analysis
This is the principal motivator for climate modelling, especially on the regional scale Dept. of Physics has obtained support to embark on RCM research and seeks collaboration with other groups interested in performing climate th
i t
t di
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i
li t
experiments focusing on the Mediterranean basin
University of
Malta
PRECIS Model
M d l
Department of
Physics
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Providing REgional Climates for Impact Studies
has been developed by the Hadley Centre and is
has been developed by the Hadley Centre and is sponsored by the UK DEFRA, UK DFID the UNDP‐GEF
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This atmospheric‐only RCM downscales the large p j
scale GCM projections and resolves features at a horizontal scale of 50 km or 25 km 
The intention is to define a domain over the whole Mediterranean basin and validate the model for this region
University of
Malta
PRECIS Model
M d l
Department of
Physics
Domain of interest – The Mediterranean Basin
University of
Malta
Department of
Physics
I i i l Experiments
Initial
E
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The initial experiments are intended to validate the PRECIS model initial experiments are intended to validate the PRECIS model
over the Mediterranean basin
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It is envisaged to drive PRECIS with the HadAM3P global model for a is envisaged to drive PRECIS with the HadAM3P global model for a
baseline simulation
 Run PRECIS driven by ERA40 and NCEP‐R2 reanalysis data
Run PRECIS driven by ERA40 and NCEP‐R2 reanalysis data
 For future scenarios simulations, we are planning to use:
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HadAM3P:A2 (2070‐2100)
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HadAM3P:B2 (2070‐2100)
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HadCM3Q0:A1B (1949‐2099)
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ECHAM4:SRES A2 (1960 2100)
ECHAM4:SRES A2 (1960‐2100)
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ECHAM4:SRES B2 (1960‐2100)
University of
Malta
Department of
Physics
F
Future
W
Work
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Run PRECIS with an ensemble of boundary conditions for a baseline scenario (1960‐1991) and a SRES‐A2 scenario (2070‐2101)
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Run the same PRECIS domain at high resolution (25 km)
Run the same PRECIS domain at high resolution (25 km)
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Use high resolution simulation to investigate intense wind events
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In collaboration with other groups, run PRECIS in multi‐
g p,
model ensemble work [the Physics Department has secured funding for a parallel computing cluster of 512
secured funding for a parallel computing cluster of 512 CPUs]
University of
Malta
F
Future
W
Work
k & Ideas
Id
Department of
Physics
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Study the influence of the Mediterranean SST on climate variability in the North African region
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Evaluate the annual mean changes of evaporation, precipitation, water deficit and gain of heat flux in future i it ti
t d fi it d i f h t fl i f t
climate scenarios
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How can the PRECIS results be used to evaluate the impacts of climate change on tourism, water management p
g
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and energy consumption in the Central Mediterranean Area?
University of
Malta
Department of
Physics
Thank you
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