UV-Visible DOAS Research

The UV-Vis DOAS group

The DOAS group concentrates on atmospheric chemistry related research, based on observations performed using the so-called Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) technique. Retrieval algorithms applied to ground-based and satellite instruments are developed and used to monitor the atmospheric concentration of a number of important trace gases like O₃, NO₂, BrO, OClO, HCHO, SO₂, CHOCHO, etc. These activities are performed in the context of the BIRA-IASB contribution to international ground-based networks (e.g. the NDACC) and to European atmospheric chemistry satellite missions like ERS-2/GOME, SCIAMACHY and GOME-2.

The group is lead by Dr. Michel Van Roozendael. See the members of our group here

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 Expedition in Congo

In June 2017, the BIRA-IASB UV-Vis DOAS group participated in a 12 day scientific measurement campaign in and around the main crater of the Nyiragongo volcano (in the Virunga Volcanic Province, Democratic Republic of Congo) as part of a BBC documentary expedition. The aim of the campaign was to collect scientific data with different types of instruments (seismic, infrasound detectors, temperature data loggers, weather stations, and several types of cameras) in order to better understand the physical mechanisms that drive volcanic processes in the region. This multidisciplinary campaign included 15 scientists from ECGS, EPIC, BSU, GVO, KMMA-MRAC, ULg/UH and BIRA-IASB.

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