Introduction to the atmospheric issues section

摘要

In composing an introduction to this section on Atmospheric Issues, and trying to place it into the wider context of this proceedings about Future Directions in Air Quality Research, I am struck by two features. First, the spatial scale of the problems on which atmospheric scientists have focused is even larger than the scales covered in the ecological issues section. Second, there is less obvious evidence of integrated air quality research in this section than in earlier sections (and in earlier times). I have expanded on these thoughts, drawing on some comparisons between the US and European research priorities that were discussed at the Conference. The concluding sections in this introduction identify several linkages with other sections in the proceedings, and list continuing and emerging issues that require increased collaboration between atmospheric scientists and other air quality researchers.