Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences

Environmental Chemistry Division

Joost de Gouw, Division Co-Director
Margaret Tolbert, Division Co-Director

CIRES chemists conduct both laboratory experiments and field studies at sites all over the world. Field work has been conducted, and measurements made, at such diverse sites as Antarctica and the North Pole and at sites at several latitudes ranging into the tropics (e.g., Hawaii). Research topics include measurements and analysis of pollutants and naturally occurring species, reaction kinetics, surface science, and analytical instrumentation development.

Recent studies are applicable to such diverse subjects as acid rain, air and water pollution like that occurring in the Denver brown cloud, and climate change resulting from emission of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Other areas of research include stratospheric ozone depletion, tropospheric photochemical oxidant formation, and the increase of atmospheric greenhouse gases.