PROPHET: Program for Research on Oxidants: Photochemistry, Emissions and Transport

Summary

The Program for Research on Oxidants: PHotochemistry, Emissions, and Transport (PROPHET) was created in 1996, as a coordinated research effort aimed at investigation of the relationships between atmospheric odd nitrogen, ozone, and forest-atmosphere interactions. The motivating science questions for PROPHET are described below.

* How well do we understand the relationships between nitrogen oxides concentrations and ozone production efficiency in the midwest?

* Do we understand the partitioning of nitrogen, and are there missing or uncharacterized atmospheric nitrogen sinks?

* How well do we understand the role of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) with respect to ozone formation, and atmospheric nitrogen sequestration?

* What is the impact of ozone deposition on forest productivity?

* Do we understand the environmental controls on BVOC emissions, and can they be adequately simulated?

In the summers of 1997, 1998, and 2000, measurement intensives were conducted to explore our understanding of the relationships between forest-generated volatile organic compounds, atmospheric nitrogen processing, and ozone and other oxidants. These studies involved collaborations among researchers from more than 15 universities and other labs. Results from some of those studies were published in a PROPHET special section of JGR-Atmospheres, in the October 27, 2001 issue.