Atmospheric Chemistry and Air Pollution - University of Birmingham

Our research focuses upon understanding natural and anthropogenic emissions to the atmosphere, the transport and chemical and physical transformations of atmospheric constituents, and evaluating and managing the effects of air pollution and atmospheric chemistry upon the environment, and particularly upon human health. Links to greenhouse gases and climate are also a major focus.

Working in environments as diverse as Delhi, Beijing, East Africa and Antarctica, and in the laboratory, we study the emissions and atmospheric chemical and physical processes which determine outdoor and indoor air quality. This is complemented by studies of personal exposure, and effects upon human health. There are strong links to policy, and to air quality management at local, national and international levels. A distinguishing feature of our work is that it extends from highly fundamental process studies to real-world applications, including advice to local and national government and the World Health Organisation. In other strands of our work, we study bioaerosols, biogenic organic compounds and atmosphere-biosphere interactions, and greenhouse gas accounting and links to sustainability.

Research areas

Advanced Air Quality Management
Air Pollution and Human Health
Climate and Air Pollution Interactions
New Particle Formation in the Atmosphere
Indoor Air Quality
Fundamental Studies of Atmospheric Aerosol Processes
Degradation of Odour Signals by Air Pollution: Chemical Mechanisms, Plume Dynamics and Insect-Orientation Behaviour
Accurate and High-resolution Accounting of GHG emissions
Urban Sustainable Transitions
Inequality in Net-Zero progress
Low cost Sensors, Bioaerosol and Citizen Science
Atmospheric Chemistry of Biogenic Compounds
Biosphere-atmosphere interactions of forests
Machine Learning