Atmosphere research projects

Assessing air quality issues in New Zealand towns in winter: Community Observation Networks for Air (CONA)

Poor air quality is a problem during winter in many New Zealand regions. Air pollution can have a significant detrimental effect on human health.    

Domestic wood burners are a major source of air pollutants in urban areas during winter. However, until recently, little scientific evidence had been gathered to show how smoke levels in New Zealand towns are influenced by the weather, topography, buildings and home-heating behaviour. Regional councils need that evidence to design effective intervention strategies.

Community Observation Networks for Air

NIWA adopted small towns to test networks of new low-cost air and emission monitoring sensor technologies. Poor air quality is a problem during winter in many New Zealand regions. Air pollution can have a significant detrimental effect on human health.

Estimating design wind speeds in complex terrain

The current method for calculating wind speed-up is inadequate, and can grossly under-predict correct design wind speeds in NZ's complex terrain.

New Zealand Ocean Acidification Observing Network (NZOA-ON)

Ocean acidification conditions around the New Zealand coast are being measured to establish baseline conditions and to quantify future change.

Innovative Technologies for Air Quality

NIWA is exploring the potential of new technologies for monitoring and sharing air quality data.

Mapping Urban Traffic Pollution

NIWA is conducting a range of projects aimed at determining the impact that road traffic has on the quality of urban air.

Surface Ocean Aerosol Production (SOAP)

How do marine micro-organisms influence the earth's atmosphere and climate?

Chemistry-climate modelling

This research project focusses on modelling atmospheric chemistry and climate from the surface to the top of the stratosphere, using sophisticated chemistry-climate models.

Total Carbon Column Observing Network

NIWA participates in the Total Carbon Column Observing Network, a ground-based observing network dedicated to making precise and accurate measurements of greenhouse gas concentrations in different parts of the atmosphere.

SOLAS SAGE - sea-air gas exchange experiment

In 2004, scientists added iron salts to surface Sub-Antarctic waters east of New Zealand's South Island to determine whether this stimulated phytoplankton growth, and to examine the exchange of carbon dioxide (CO2) and trace gases between the atmosphere and ocean.

NZ SOLAS (Ocean–Atmosphere Interactions)

This research aims to provide better predictions of changes in the ocean and climate system, particularly the way in which the ocean around New Zealand regulates greenhouse gases and clouds.

Agricultural emissions of greenhouse gases

This project aims to estimate emissions of the greenhouse gases methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) from New Zealand's pastoral farming systems, and to estimate the effectiveness of different approaches to reducing these emissions.

Antarctic ozone

The Antarctic ozone hole has a major effect on the local climate, and the future of Antarctica will influence global climate and sea level changes.

Greenhouse gases and climate sensitivity - insights from ice cores

By analysing air trapped in ancient ice we can see how wetlands and permafrosts responded to warming periods in the past, and help predict what will happen in the future.

Atmospheric ozone, ultraviolet radiation, and stratospheric change

CFCs have damaged the ozone layer and led to higher UV levels and increased health risks. Our role is to understand the causes and effects of ozone depletion, to inform the public of the risk.