Research Infrastructure for Aerosols, Clouds, and Trace Gases
FUNDING:
Project funded through the second Swiss non-reimbursable financial contribution granted to Romania and the state budget, under the Programme “Infrastructure for Research and Monitoring of Emissions.”
PROJECT DURATION:
2025 – 2029
UBB RESPOSABLE:
Assoc. prof. Nicolae Ajtai, PhD
COORDINATOR:
National Institute for Research and Development in Optoelectronics INOE 2000
PROIECT DESCRIPTION:
This project aims to extend the Romanian capacity and knowledge related to aerosol composition, and to reinforce the collaboration with one of the world-leading institution in the field of source apportionment of organics in ambient air. In addition, the project investigates the added-value of setting up a new aerosol in-situ measurements facility in Cluj-Napoca (Northwest part of Romania), characterized by a completely different environment that the one in Bucharest. The collection of ACTRIS-compliant aerosol in situ observations in that region will help filling the gap in East Europe, currently highly unrepresented.
The measurements, data analysis and studies in the project will develop a solid background that can be used to address air quality and climate issues, as well as assessing crucial climate-relevant parameters in Romania. Ambient measurements (particle loadings, composition) and the assessment of aerosol sources will be addressed, including comparisons between South and North part of Romania. This will reduce the lack of surface-based measurements of aerosol properties such as chemical composition, scattering and absorption, size distribution, which provide essential evaluation and validation possibilities for European and global scale models.
EXPECTED RESULTS:
- Strengthening scientific collaboration between Romanian and Swiss partners, with a specific focus on instruments operation, implementation of near real time data analysis, advanced data analysis and publications;
- Setup of the new ACTRIS aerosol in-situ observation site in Cluj-Napoca for long-term operation;
- Advancement of scientific knowledge referring to aerosol composition and their typical sources in East Europe;
- Increased visibility of Romanian scientists within and outside ACTRIS;
- The specialization of young researchers from Romania in very new and important research directions at global scale, considering the impact of aerosol composition on ecosystems and climate.