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701-0471-01L 3 Credits BSC , MSC D-ERDW , D-USYS

Atmospheric Chemistry

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Markus Ammann, Prof. Dr. Claudia Mohr, Prof. Dr. Colette Heald
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:24

Abstract

This course covers the chemical and physical processes controlling the composition of the troposphere and stratosphere and introduces the relevant fundamentals for processes in the gas phase, in aerosols and clouds. These concepts are explored in the context of key environmental issues, such as urban air pollution, stratospheric ozone depletion, and air quality connections to climate change.

Objective

At the end of this course, students are able to: 1. describe the structure of the atmosphere and list atmospheric components and their main properties 2. define and describe the chemical and physical processes in the stratosphere and troposphere, follow reaction mechanisms, and apply rate laws 3. describe the physical and chemical principles of air pollution and summarize the most important legislative measures 4. discuss the local, regional, and global aspects of interactions between air quality, ecosystem health, and climate

Content

- Origin and properties of the atmosphere: composition (gases and aerosols), atmospheric structure, UV radiation, transport timescales - Kinetics of gas phase reactions: rate laws, mechanisms of bimolecular and termolecular reactions. - Stratospheric chemistry: Chapman cycle, catalytic ozone destruction cycles, polar ozone hole, Montreal protocol - Tropospheric chemistry: oxidizing capacity of the troposphere and the role of OH, oxidation and global budgets of CO and CH4, role of NOx, and the global tropospheric O3 budget - Surface ozone chemistry: HOx-NOx cycle, role of VOCs, O3 isopleth, ozone production efficiency - Aerosols: primary and secondary sources, composition, quantities and measures, connections to climate - Multiphase chemistry: solubility of gases, Raoult’s Law and hygroscopicity, kinetics of gas to particle transfer, N2O5 chemistry, aqueous phase sulfur chemistry, secondary organic aerosol formation - Air quality: role of planetary boundary layer, deposition processes, summer- versus winter-smog, environmental problems, legislation, long-term trends - Global aspects: air quality - climate interactions

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lecture materials (slides) are provided continuously during the semester, at least 1 days before each lecture. Annotations and corrections are provided at the latest within the same week.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
oral 20 minutes
From the first week of the semester onwards, problem sets will be given out weekly in the form of exercises. In the second half of the semester, a voluntary written intermediate examination lasting 45 minutes will be held during the lecture, which is based on the learning elements submitted and discussed previously. This grade contributes 30% to the final grade if it is better than the oral session examination. Submitting at least 8 problem sets in the form of an independently created complete solution attempt will result in an increase in the final grade by 0.25 grade points.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Atmospheric Chemistry No time listed 2 h weekly

Offered In