B.S. (Physics), 1959, University Karlsruhe
M.S. (Physics, Meteorology), 1963, University Munich
Ph.D. (Physics, Meteorology, Astrophysical, 1967, University Munich
Research Interests:
Heterogeneous chemistry (cloud and precipitation); tropospheric ozone;
aerosol physics
Human activities are disrupting the earth's global life support system--the atmosphere and the planet's wealth of biological resources. Assessment of the problems, their impacts and human and nature's responses to them occupy a prominent position on our research agenda today. The scientific input to the debate on environment issues must derive from an adequate knowledge base. This can only be achieved through strategically oriented observations, and research related to the particular issues. This in turn necessitates the establishment of proper observation systems. We are using the ASRC field station at Whiteface Mountain as a representative platform for tropospheric measurement of global change related parameters. Of special interest to us is tropospheric ozone which influences the integrated oxidation rate of the atmosphere and which has a significant greenhouse warming potential. Also of importance to us is hydrogen peroxide which influences the aqueous phase oxidation of a variety of pollutant gas most notably sulfur dioxide. The collection of cloud water and subsequent analysis is therefore an integral part of our measurement strategy at Whiteface Mountain. Our research/assessment tasks rely extensively on the results from other regionally representative measurements as they are obtained by the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) program of WMO. GAW is an integral part of the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) devoted to the investigation of changing chemical composition and related physical characteristic of the global atmosphere.
Selected Publications
Mohnen, V.A., 1988. The challenge of acid rain. Scientific American 259(2): 30-38.
Mohnen, V.A. and J.A. Kadlecek, 1989. Cloud chemistry research at Whiteface Mountain. Tellus 41B:79-91.
Mohnen, V.A. and W.-C. Wang, 1992. An overview of global warming. J. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), 11:1051-1059.
Mohnen, V.A. and R.J. Vong, 1993. A climatology of cloud chemistry for the eastern United States derived from the Mountain Cloud Chemistry Project. J. Environmental Reviews 1:38-54.
Mohnen, V.A., W. Goldstein and W.-C. Wang, 1993. Tropospheric ozone and climate change. J. Air & Waste 43:1332-1344.