CONCOURS D’INGENIEURS DE LABORATOIRE
DU MINISTERE DE L’ECONOMIE ET DES FINANCES
DU 22 JANVIER 2014
Concours externe : spécialité chimie analytique
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CHEMISTRY IN THE ATMOSPHERE
A strategy for European research into global environmental issues
The chemical composition of the atmosphere is being changed by man's activities. The
effects are being seen on various scales. Global effects include depletion of stratospheric
ozone and the radiative forcing of climate change. Regional effects, most evident in areas
containing many industrial complexes and urban sprawls, include acid deposition,
eutrophication and photochemical pollution.
It is essential to develop a strategy for future research efforts in atmospheric chemistry,
focussing on global issues of particular concern in Europe. In this document we discuss
some outstanding scientific challenges, giving particular attention to areas of uncertainty in
our current understanding. The techniques, f acuities and infrastructure that will be needed to
implement this strategy are described. The document does not attempt to cover the rationale
for the development of major earth observation or remote sensing projects from space. On
the other hand the role of atmospheric chemistry research in adding value to such data
through its utilisation, is advocated. The time-frame covered by this forward-look is from the
present to the end of the century, with the anticipation that implementation of the strategy will
start within the 4th Framework Programme of the European Communities in 1994/95-1998.
In the last few decades, the EC/EFT A countries have developed research programmes in
the area of atmospheric chemistry in response to the emerging issues of atmospheric
pollution caused by increasing fossil fuel consumption, agricultural practices and the
production and release of industrial chemicals and consumer products. Within the auspices
of the CEC, e.g. through the COST programmes, successful attempts have been made to
pool effort and add value to the national research programmes of the member states.
Initially the scope of the European collaboration was restricted to research relating to local
pollution (urban and rural, influenced by urban emissions) but this quickly developed towards
a focus on trans-boundary pollution and later within the 2nd and 3rd Framework
programmes, the major regional air pollution issues such as atmospheric acidity (acid
deposition) and photochemical oxidants. These questions are also addressed in the
EUREKA sub-project EUROTRAC.
In 1989, a coordinated European programme of research in stratospheric ozone was initiated
and now, as we come further into the last decade of the twentieth century, emphasis has
moved towards global change, where atmospheric chemistry plays a central role through
ozone depletion, biosphere-atmosphere interaction and radiative forcing of the climate by
atmospheric trace gases and aerosols.
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The growing importance of global change is reflected in the international activities
surrounding
the
Montreal
Protocol
for
the
protection
of
the
ozone
layer,
the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the Rio Summit and the Agenda for the
21st Century. The Earth Summit in Brazil in 1992 saw the first steps towards controlling the
releases of greenhouse gases. Even more significant, perhaps, was the acceptance of a socalled 'Precautionary Principle'. This recognises that the world can no longer rely on
dispersion in the atmosphere and hydrosphere as a safe way of disposing of waste products.
The concept of a 'critical load' is only applicable for compounds which remain in the
atmosphere for a relatively short time - one week or less. In such cases, 'critical load' or
'level' can be used to formulate policies to protect the most sensitive parts of an ecosystem,
and to estimate the cost of those policies. The Precautionary Principle is also a belated
recognition that to wait until both damage and cause are beyond doubt is not merely
imprudent, but is liable to be dangerous and costly. At the same time it has become evident
that the scientific issues are complex, often involving a wide range of disciplines, and that
standards of rigour need more than ever to be maintained.
The outstanding scientific challenges in atmospheric chemistry have been identified by
members of the Science Panel for Tropospheric Chemistry and the Task Force on
Stratospheric Ozone, both groups being constituted to provide advice to the CEC regarding
its atmospheric chemistry research programme within the Environment Division of DGXII.
The present document is endorsed by both groups after consultation with other members of
the European atmospheric chemistry scientific community. Much wider consultation is
expected to take place in the development of the implementation of the strategy.
Atmospheric chemistry is interdisciplinary. A joint effort is required involving laboratory work,
instrument development and field measurements, and the use of numerical models for the
emission, chemical transformation, transport and removal of atmospheric trace compounds.
The wide range in spatial extent and duration of atmospheric chemistry-related
environmental problems, put stringent requirements on the quality of the methods applied in
their analysis. Returning to the benefits of an EC and EFTA coordinated strategy in
atmospheric chemistry: this will be vital for the effective solution of environmental problems,
thereby providing a clear public benefit. The need for high quality observational
measurements and sophisticated computer simulation and data systems, will provide a
stimulation for advanced technological developments leading to wealth creation. The
demands for high quality, quantitative science will enhance European scientific excellence.
Commission of the European Communities
DG XII for Science
Research and Development
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