in the Department of Physics
Noel Aquilina, MALTA CLIMATE TEAM
Discover University, Science Lecture Theatre, 14 th March 2011

 History
 Models Installed & Performance
 Past & Current Research
 Upcoming Plans

The Department of Physics (DoP) has been active on Climate issues since 2001.
 National Communications
 MEPA entrusted the DoP with the coordination and preparation of the First
(2001-2004) and Second National Communications (2004-2010) to the
UNFCCC through the Project Manager and a National Expert.
 PRECIS
 Professor C. V. Sammut obtained the license through funding from the British
High Commission. Dr N. Aquilina installed the first version on a PC in 2008.

Considering a 30 year simulation, Europe: 100x100 grid cells @ 50 km
 PRECIS
 12 Processors: ~ 11 days
 RegCM4
 120 Processors: ~ 8 days
 WRF
 2 day simulation at 10’ (~19 km) resolution (no nesting): ~ 30 minutes

Scope: Working on the same lines as MedCLIVAR (the Med iterranean CLI mate
VAR iability project) that coordinates and promotes the study of the
Mediterranean climate
Why the Mediterranean Basin?
 Enclosed by 3 major continents.
 Surrounded almost entirely by mountains.
 Very unique and sensitive to climate changes.
5

Previous Studies:
 Validation of PRECIS in the Mediterranean
 Impacts by Sulfate Aerosols


Temperature & Precipitation in different Zones
Vertical Atmospheric Analysis

Current:
 Validation of PRECIS over the Australian
Region


Effects of MOSES 2.2
ENSO effects in PRECIS

Current:
 WRF: Aerosol effect on relative humidity (RH) in Europe-CORDEX
Domain


Airborne particulates act as condensation points for humidity
Theory: Positive relationship between the two

NAO
NCP Teleconnections:
NAO – North Atlantic Oscillation
MO – Mediterranean Oscillation
NCP – North Sea-Caspian Pattern
CACO – Central African Caspian Oscillation MO
CACO
 Teleconnections effecting aerosol transport
 Variation in atmospheric pressure controls air motion

COST Action ES1004 (Started 2011 – Ending 2015)
A European framework for online integrated air quality and meteorology modelling
This COST Action will focus on a new generation of online integrated
Atmospheric Chemical Transport (ACT) and Meteorology (Numerical Weather
Prediction and Climate) modelling with two-way interactions between different atmospheric processes including chemistry (both gases and aerosols), clouds, radiation, boundary layer, emissions, meteorology and climate.

Assuming the MCT grows and we get more storage space:
 PRECIS
 Apply model for climate impact assessments
 RegCM4
 Short-term plan: Validate a newer version of RegCM4 using ECHAM5
 Long-term plan: Contribute to development of Chemistry module
 WRF
 Gain experience in setting up WRF-LES, WRF-CHEM
 Adapt LBCs from WRF to Local Scale Air Quality model for Malta

25 km

25 km

25 km
Source: MEPA Map Server, map based on CORINAIR 2006 data
3 km

The MCT is grateful to the following:


PRECIS
 Met Office UK, C. Morrell, S. Tucker, D. Hein, D. Hassell
RegCM4


 The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, X. Bi
WRF
 The WRF community
University of Malta


Department of Physics: C.V. Sammut, L. Zammit Mangion, A. Magro, D. Cutajar
IT Services: A. Zammit, S. Portelli, S. Ancilleri

MALTA CLIMATE TEAM
W: http://www.um.edu.mt/science/physics/research/climate_studies
W: on Facebook – Academic Group – Malta Climate Team
E: climate-physics.sci@um.edu.mt
T: +356 2340 3036