Chinese atmosphere study begins

According to state-owned media, scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Hefei Institutes of Physical Science began the research project on Monday.

The survey will focus on the atmosphere over east China, a region known for its developed industry, dense population and heavy particle pollution.

Over the next five years, researchers will observe levels of aerosols, temperatures, water vapour contents, ozone and CO2, as well as the way gases and temperatures change at various layers of the atmosphere.

They will also set up databases to provide the most recent information about the atmosphere over east China.

It is hoped that the survey, which is being supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, will help to inform other studies into climate change, environmental evaluation and atmospheric sciences.

The project was launched at a glittering ceremony at the Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics on April 18.

Earlier in the month, the Chinese Academy of Sciences officially opened its Research Centre for Environmental Pollution in east China’s Guangdong Province.

CAS vice president Ding Zhongli told state media the establishment of the centre was a key strategic arrangement to meet the “urgent needs of the region for dealing with environmental pollution”.

Kate Martin