Sustainability Issue #3 October 2009

This is printed from sustainability.formas.se, last updated 9/17/2009 12:33:17 PM

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Clouds can predict the climate

Measuring technique. In the centre of the photograph, a green laser beam can be seen behind the crest of a hill. The more intensely shining part of the beam shows how light is scattered from a thin layer of cloud. The laser beam is considerably weakened after its passage. The rest of the green colouring in the photoghraph is aurora borealis. Photographer: Frans Olofson

The properties of clouds may be a key to predicting climate changes. This has been shown by research at Göteborg University which has applied mesuring technology in a new way.

In his thesis, Frans Olofson at the Department of Chemistry has presented a new application of measuring technology, in which a laser beam is directed upwards through the air to measure aerosol content and the way the light is reflected in the atmosphere. The study has been made in cirrus clouds above the north of Norway, and is the first which has used this technique in climatically sensitive arctic regions. Incoming solar radiation is to a high degree governed by the shape and size of cloud particles.

A new branch of research is now being established in atmospheric sciences at Göteborg University which will increase knowledge of the way clouds affect climate.

Responsible for this page: Birgitta Bruzelius

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Sustainability October 2009

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