MTMG60-Atmospheric Chemistry and Transport

Module Provider: Meteorology
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: A-level chemistry or equivalent
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Prof Bill Collins
Email: w.collins@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Prof Helen Dacre
Email: h.f.dacre@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module develops the concepts of chemical and physical processing of atmospheric pollutants and their transport in the atmosphere from local to global scales. The processes covered include air quality, photochemistry, anthropogenic and biogenic emissions, wet and dry deposition. The transport mechanisms include micro-scale, meso-scale, synoptic-scale and global-scale processes.

Aims:

To help the student attain an understanding of the processing and transport of gaseous and aerosol pollutants, and the consequences for their distributions on local and global scales.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module, the student should be able to:

• Explain the chemical and physical processing of atmospheric pollutants;


• Utilise rate equations to determine how composition changes;


• Demonstrate understanding of the transport mechanisms affecting the distribution of chemicals and aerosols in the atmosphere;


• Describe how clouds interact with chemicals and aerosols.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

Transport mechanisms: from local to global scales within the boundary layer, free troposphere and stratosphere;

• Emissions, deposition and mixing of chemicals and aerosols;


• Chemistry of the troposphere;


• Stratospheric ozone depletion;


• Anthropogenic and biogenic emissions;


• Chemistry in clouds.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Note that the 20-hours listed in 'Other' in the Independent Study Hours table relates to summative assessments.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The final class test will be 2 hours (70%).

Two assessed problem sheets (15% each).

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 􀀓Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes􀀔, which can be found here: