Research on innovation in observation, diagnosis and prediction for global environmental monitoring

Environmental and climate issues affecting the societies in and around Japan have become increasingly serious in recent years. The aim of this research are to innovatively develop observations and diagnoses of the current status and relevant processes of the atmospheric and oceanic constituents including aerosols, ozone and greenhouse gases and to project their future trends and impacts over the East Asia and the western North Pacific. JMA/MRI will continue its efforts to contribute to society and the scientific community based on sophisticated monitoring, diagnosis and prediction technologyfor the global environment using data assimilation, analysis technology and chemical transport modeling.

Small airborne particles known as aerosols that significantly affect weather and climate conditions are examined under an electron microscope.

Development of data assimilation techniques (right) and a chemical transport model (left) is intended to improve the reproducibility o observation data on aerosols ozone, and greenhouse gases.

Observations of greenhouse gases utilizing advanced equipments and monitoring network that encompasses ground stations, aircrafts, research vessels and autonomous underwater gliders help to clarify the carbon cycle in the East Asia and in the western North Pacific.

Time-series data of precise oceanic carbon dioxide measurements over decades by JMA research vessels help to elucidate the details of surface seawater acidification. Values of pH show a trend of decrease (representing acidification) with pronounced meridional as well as seasonal variations.