PAUL O. WENNBERG
R. Stanton Avery Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry and Environmental Engineering

Director, Linde Center for Global Environmental Science

California Institute of Technology

 

 

 

Geology & Planetary Sciences
Environmental Science & Engineering

 

 

 

 

B.A. 1985, Oberlin College
Ph.D. 1994, Harvard University

 

atmospheric chemistry
carbon cycle
spectroscopy

 

 

 

 

Office: 110 N. Mudd
Lab: 063/064 S. Mudd
Fax: 626 585 1917
Phone: 626 395 2447
wennberg@gps.caltech.edu


 

 

NEW: See the Wennberg Group Research Wiki HERE

Research

My research group applies traditional physical chemistry techniques (e.g. LIF, absorption spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy) to study the mechanisms of chemical transformation in the Earth's atmosphere and the carbon cycle.

Carbon Cycle Science. We have helped create the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) to measure the distribution of greenhouse gases across the globe. This activity was organized in partnership with the OCO satellite program and is now being used as the validation network for the Japanese GOSAT project.

Oxidative Chemistry of the Troposphere. In the laboratory and in the field, we are studying the oxidative chemistry of atmospheric trace gases. The aim of this work is to better elucidate the coupling of radiation, climate, and chemistry in the troposphere. We have also developed a new mass spectroscopy methods for airborne, ground-based, and laboratory measurements of acids, peroxides and other oxygenated volatile organic compounds. Our research group has been involved in many large field campaigns including SOLVE, INTEX, MILAGRO/INTEX-B, TC4, ARCTAS, and BEARPEX.

Through these studies, are working to understand the evolution in time and space of the trace gas composition of the atmosphere. This includes investigations of the oxidative chemistry of the atmosphere and how this chemistry is influenced by and in turn influences the biosphere. An important component of this research effort is to understand the influence of anthropogenic activity, including biomass burning, on the global atmosphere.


CV



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