SAMBBA Mission to be Addressed in Porto Velho

Hello reader!

It follows a note published on the day (09/17) in the website of the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) informing that SAMBBA Mission to be addressed in Porto Velho.

Duda Falcão

SAMBBA Mission to be Addressed

in Porto Velho

Monday, September 17, 2012

Aiming at study the impact of biomass burning plumes in weather, air quality and climate, scientists of the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), University of São Paulo (USP), UK-Met Office and British Universities are meeting in Porto Velho, Rondônia. On Monday (9/17), at 4 pm, the researchers will lecture on scientific mission to the local authorities and press at the Aquarius Hotel.

Named SAMBBA (South American Biomass Burning Analysis), the mission is led by INPE and represents a peculiar collaboration between Brazilian scientists, who develop predictive models of air quality and climate, and British researchers, who have the atmospheric research aircraft BAe -146, equipped with sophisticated instruments.

The partnership will allow scientists from Brazil and worldwide improve their understanding and ability to predict plumes of smoke, air quality, visibility, weather and climate. This international program keeps building the strong relationship fostered between scientific communities of Brazil and UK in the last years, continuing the exchange of scientific and technical excellence between both countries.

Measurement

Data will be collected during overflights by Amazon. The aircraft, which will fly from Porto Velho daily until the end of September, has sophisticated measurement equipment that are able to characterize biomass burning plumes newly issued and old ones, as well as the surrounding environment.

The biomass burning emits into the atmosphere a massive amount of aerosols and trace gases. The presence of aerosols change the radiation balance, cloud microphysics properties, hydrological cycle and air quality of disturbed regions. The trace gases, some of the greenhouse effect, other primary and secondary pollutants also generate significant damage to the environment.

Besides measurement of aerosols concentration and the more relevant trace gases, the SAMBBA campaign will measure microphysical properties and radiation. The characterization and understanding of how these disorders arise are useful for papers and improvements in atmospheric chemistry models used at INPE.

Source: WebSite of the National Institute for Space Research (INPE)