Anne R. Douglass

Last updated
Anne R. Douglass
Born
Anne Ritger
Scientific career
Thesis A model of the Antarctic sink for stratospheric water vapor  (1980)
Doctoral advisor John Stanford

Anne Ritger Douglass is atmospheric physicist known for her research on chlorinated compounds and the ozone layer.

Contents

Education and career

Douglass graduated with a B.A.in physics from Trinity, now Trinity Washington University, in 1971. [1] She then earned a M.S. in physics from the University of Minnesota (1975), where she was the only woman in her cohort. [1] She earned a Ph.D. in physics in 1980 from Iowa State University. [2] In 1981, she joined the staff at National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Goddard Space Flight Center. [1] In 2014, Douglass described science as her passion with a note that "You have to love what you do." [3] [4] She began a phased retirement from NASA in 2017. [5]

Research

Douglass used satellite measurements from NASA's Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) platform to define the mode of production for reaction chlorine species, [6] to globally map these ozone-depleting chlorine compounds, [7] [8] and to model differences in the formation of atmospheric chlorine reservoirs between the northern and southern hemispheres. [9] Douglass is the co-lead for NASA Goddard Earth Observing System Chemistry Climate Model (GEOSCCM) [5] [10] which enables modeling of atmospheric temperatures and ozone hole. Douglass has modeled the annual cycle and transport of ozone in the atmosphere. [11] [12] Her model on the movement of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the atmosphere [13] has implications for what would have happened to the ozone layer in the absence of international agreements to reduce atmospheric CFCs levels. [14]

Douglass was the co-lead of the validation program for NASA's Aura satellite [15] which is designed to collect data on ozone, climate, and air quality. [16] In 2010, Douglass took over the project scientist position. [17] The ozone data collected by the Aura satellites plays a key role in ozone assessments which guides Douglass's participation in the Montreal Protocol. [1] [18] In 2018, Douglass's research shows decreases in ozone depletion above Antarctica [19] which indicates an improvement in the ozone hole [20] [21] that may fully heal by 2070. [22] [23] [24]

Awards and honors

Personal life

Douglass has five children, enjoys yoga and tap dancing, [17] and was a Girl Scout leader while her children were young. [1] Douglass discusses the challenges of balancing a career and children in her contribution to Motherhood: The Elephant in the Laboratory. [28]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montreal Protocol</span> 1987 treaty to protect the ozone layer

The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion. It was agreed on 16 September 1987, and entered into force on 1 January 1989. Since then, it has undergone nine revisions, in 1990 (London), 1991 (Nairobi), 1992 (Copenhagen), 1993 (Bangkok), 1995 (Vienna), 1997 (Montreal), 1998 (Australia), 1999 (Beijing) and 2016 (Kigali) As a result of the international agreement, the ozone hole in Antarctica is slowly recovering. Climate projections indicate that the ozone layer will return to 1980 levels between 2050 and 2070. Due to its widespread adoption and implementation, it has been hailed as an example of successful international co-operation. Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan stated that "perhaps the single most successful international agreement to date has been the Montreal Protocol". In comparison, effective burden-sharing and solution proposals mitigating regional conflicts of interest have been among the success factors for the ozone depletion challenge, where global regulation based on the Kyoto Protocol has failed to do so. In this case of the ozone depletion challenge, there was global regulation already being installed before a scientific consensus was established. Also, overall public opinion was convinced of possible imminent risks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ozone layer</span> Region of Earths stratosphere that absorbs most of the Suns ultraviolet radiation

The ozone layer or ozone shield is a region of Earth's stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun's ultraviolet radiation. It contains a high concentration of ozone (O3) in relation to other parts of the atmosphere, although still small in relation to other gases in the stratosphere. The ozone layer contains less than 10 parts per million of ozone, while the average ozone concentration in Earth's atmosphere as a whole is about 0.3 parts per million. The ozone layer is mainly found in the lower portion of the stratosphere, from approximately 15 to 35 kilometers (9 to 22 mi) above Earth, although its thickness varies seasonally and geographically.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Satellite temperature measurements</span>

Satellite temperature measurements are inferences of the temperature of the atmosphere at various altitudes as well as sea and land surface temperatures obtained from radiometric measurements by satellites. These measurements can be used to locate weather fronts, monitor the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, determine the strength of tropical cyclones, study urban heat islands and monitor the global climate. Wildfires, volcanos, and industrial hot spots can also be found via thermal imaging from weather satellites. They can also be used as part of instrumental temperature records of Earth's climate system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ozone depletion</span> Atmosheric phenomenon

Ozone depletion consists of two related events observed since the late 1970s: a steady lowering of about four percent in the total amount of ozone in Earth's atmosphere, and a much larger springtime decrease in stratospheric ozone around Earth's polar regions. The latter phenomenon is referred to as the ozone hole. There are also springtime polar tropospheric ozone depletion events in addition to these stratospheric events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chlorofluorocarbon</span> Class of organic compounds commonly used as refrigerants

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are fully or partly halogenated hydrocarbons that contain carbon (C), hydrogen (H), chlorine (Cl), and fluorine (F), produced as volatile derivatives of methane, ethane, and propane. They are also commonly known by the DuPont brand name Freon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radiative forcing</span> Difference between solar irradiance absorbed by the Earth and energy radiated back to space

Radiative forcing is the change in energy flux in the atmosphere caused by natural or anthropogenic factors of climate change as measured by watts / metre2. It is a scientific concept used to quantify and compare the external drivers of change to Earth's energy balance. System feedbacks and internal variability are related concepts, encompassing other factors that also influence the direction and magnitude of imbalance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite</span> NASA-operated orbital observatory (1991-2011)

The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) was a NASA-operated orbital observatory whose mission was to study the Earth's atmosphere, particularly the protective ozone layer. The 5,900-kilogram (13,000 lb) satellite was deployed from Space Shuttle Discovery during the STS-48 mission on 15 September 1991. It entered Earth orbit at an operational altitude of 600 kilometers (370 mi), with an orbital inclination of 57 degrees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aura (satellite)</span> NASA Earth observation satellite

Aura is a multi-national NASA scientific research satellite in orbit around the Earth, studying the Earth's ozone layer, air quality and climate. It is the third major component of the Earth Observing System (EOS) following on Terra and Aqua. Aura follows on from the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS). Aura is a joint mission between NASA, the Netherlands, Finland, and the U.K. The Aura spacecraft is healthy and is expected to operate until at least 2022, likely beyond.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polar vortex</span> Persistent cold-core low-pressure area that circles one of the poles

A circumpolar vortex, or simply polar vortex, is a large region of cold, rotating air that encircles both of Earth's polar regions. Polar vortices also exist on other rotating, low-obliquity planetary bodies. The term polar vortex can be used to describe two distinct phenomena; the stratospheric polar vortex, and the tropospheric polar vortex. The stratospheric and tropospheric polar vortices both rotate in the direction of the Earth's spin, but they are distinct phenomena that have different sizes, structures, seasonal cycles, and impacts on weather.

John Adrian Pyle is a British atmospheric scientist, Director of the Centre for Atmospheric Science in Cambridge, England. He is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge, and since 2007 has held the 1920 Chair of Physical Chemistry in the Chemistry Department. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society and of St Catharine's College, Cambridge.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stratospheric sulfur aerosols</span>

Stratospheric sulfur aerosols are sulfur-rich particles which exist in the stratosphere region of the Earth's atmosphere. The layer of the atmosphere in which they exist is known as the Junge layer, or simply the stratospheric aerosol layer. These particles consist of a mixture of sulfuric acid and water. They are created naturally, such as by photochemical decomposition of sulfur-containing gases, e.g. carbonyl sulfide. When present in high levels, e.g. after a strong volcanic eruption such as Mount Pinatubo, they produce a cooling effect, by reflecting sunlight, and by modifying clouds as they fall out of the stratosphere. This cooling may persist for a few years before the particles fall out.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stratospheric aerosol injection</span> Putting particles in the stratosphere to reflect sunlight to limit global heating

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Pier, Jason H. (2010-11-03). "From Trinity to NASA: Anne R. Douglass '71: Informing the World About Climate Change". Trinity Washington University. Archived from the original on 2021-06-24. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  2. ↑ Douglass, Anne Ritger (1980). A model of the antarctic sink for stratospheric water vapor (Thesis). Iowa State University. doi:10.31274/rtd-180813-3546.
  3. ↑ Jenner, Lynn (2014-04-15). "Anne Douglass - Thinks Like a Scientist (Part 1 of 2)". NASA. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  4. ↑ Jenner, Lynn (2014-04-22). "Anne Douglass - Thinks Like a Scientist (Part 2 of 2)". NASA. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  5. 1 2 "Bio - Anne R. Douglass". science.gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  6. ↑ Geller, Marvin A.; Yudin, Valery; Douglass, A. R.; Waters, J. W.; Elson, L. S.; Roche, A. E.; Russell, J. M. (1995). "UARS PSC, ClONO2, HCl, and ClO measurements in early winter: Additional verification of the paradigm for chlorine activation". Geophysical Research Letters. 22 (21): 2937–2940. Bibcode:1995GeoRL..22.2937G. doi:10.1029/95GL01661. ISSN   1944-8007.
  7. ↑ Schoeberl, Mark R.; Douglass, Anne R.; Jackman, Charles H. (1994-09-30). Wang, Jinxue; Hays, Paul B (eds.). "Overview and highlights of the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) mission". Optical Spectroscopic Techniques and Instrumentation for Atmospheric and Space Research. International Society for Optics and Photonics. 2266: 254–265. Bibcode:1994SPIE.2266..254S. doi:10.1117/12.187563. S2CID   129926077.
  8. ↑ Roylance, Frank D. (December 20, 1994). "Proof reported that CFCs cause depletion of ozone". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on 2021-06-20. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  9. ↑ Douglass, Anne R.; Schoeberl, Mark R.; Stolarski, Richard S.; Waters, J. W.; Russell, James M.; Roche, Aidan E.; Massie, Steven T. (1995). "Interhemispheric differences in springtime production of HCl and ClONO 2 in the polar vortices". Journal of Geophysical Research. 100 (D7): 13967. Bibcode:1995JGR...10013967D. doi:10.1029/95JD00698. ISSN   0148-0227.
  10. ↑ Pawson, Steven; Stolarski, Richard S.; Douglass, Anne R.; Newman, Paul A.; Nielsen, J. Eric; Frith, Stacey M.; Gupta, Mohan L. (2008-06-19). "Goddard Earth Observing System chemistry-climate model simulations of stratospheric ozone-temperature coupling between 1950 and 2005". Journal of Geophysical Research. 113 (D12): D12103. Bibcode:2008JGRD..11312103P. doi:10.1029/2007JD009511. ISSN   0148-0227.
  11. ↑ Douglass, Anne R.; Weaver, Clark J.; Rood, Richard B.; Coy, Lawrence (1996-01-20). "A three-dimensional simulation of the ozone annual cycle using winds from a data assimilation system". Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres. 101 (D1): 1463–1474. Bibcode:1996JGR...101.1463D. doi:10.1029/95JD02601.
  12. ↑ Douglass, Anne R.; Schoeberl, Mark R.; Rood, Richard B.; Pawson, Steven (2003-05-16). "Evaluation of transport in the lower tropical stratosphere in a global chemistry and transport model: EVALUATION OF TRANSPORT IN LOWER TROPICAL STRATOSPHERE". Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres. 108 (D9): n/a. doi:10.1029/2002JD002696. hdl:2060/20020080933.
  13. ↑ Douglass, A. R.; Stolarski, R. S.; Schoeberl, M. R.; Jackman, C. H.; Gupta, M. L.; Newman, P. A.; Nielsen, J. E.; Fleming, E. L. (2008). "Relationship of loss, mean age of air and the distribution of CFCs to stratospheric circulation and implications for atmospheric lifetimes". Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres. 113 (D14). Bibcode:2008JGRD..11314309D. doi:10.1029/2007JD009575. ISSN   2156-2202. S2CID   108287575.
  14. ↑ Newman, P. A.; Oman, L. D.; Douglass, A. R.; Fleming, E. L.; Frith, S. M.; Hurwitz, M. M.; Kawa, S. R.; Jackman, C. H.; Krotkov, N. A.; Nash, E. R.; Nielsen, J. E. (2009-03-23). "What would have happened to the ozone layer if chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) had not been regulated?". Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. 9 (6): 2113–2128. Bibcode:2009ACP.....9.2113N. doi:10.5194/acp-9-2113-2009. ISSN   1680-7316. S2CID   54219596.
  15. ↑ "A 10-year endeavor: NASA's Aura and climate change". ScienceDaily. July 18, 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-07-21. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  16. ↑ Schoeberl, M.R.; Douglass, A.R.; Hilsenrath, E.; Bhartia, P.K.; Beer, R.; Waters, J.W.; Gunson, M.R.; Froidevaux, L.; Gille, J.C.; Barnett, J.J.; Levelt, P.F. (2006). "Overview of the EOS aura mission". IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing. 44 (5): 1066–1074. Bibcode:2006ITGRS..44.1066S. doi:10.1109/TGRS.2005.861950. ISSN   1558-0644. S2CID   2153656.
  17. 1 2 Wall:MSFC, Jennifer. "NASA - Anne Douglass: Making the World Safe for Blondes". www.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  18. ↑ Stolarski, Richard S.; Douglass, Anne R.; Strahan, Susan E. (2018-04-24). "Using satellite measurements of N<sub>2</sub>O to remove dynamical variability from HCl measurements". Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. 18 (8): 5691–5697. Bibcode:2018ACP....18.5691S. doi:10.5194/acp-18-5691-2018. ISSN   1680-7324.
  19. ↑ Strahan, Susan E.; Douglass, Anne R. (2018). "Decline in Antarctic Ozone Depletion and Lower Stratospheric Chlorine Determined From Aura Microwave Limb Sounder Observations". Geophysical Research Letters. 45 (1): 382–390. Bibcode:2018GeoRL..45..382S. doi:10.1002/2017GL074830. ISSN   1944-8007. S2CID   134242632.
  20. ↑ r/Science; AmGeophysicalU-AMA (2018-04-17). "We used NASA satellite data to show the Antarctic Ozone Hole is recovering because of the ban on chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). We are Susan Strahan and Anne Douglass from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - ask us anything about the ozone layer, past, present, or future!". The Winnower. doi:10.15200/winn.152388.83042.
  21. ↑ Douglass, Anne R.; Newman, Paul A.; Solomon, Susan (2014). "The Antarctic ozone hole: An update". Physics Today. 67 (7): 42–48. Bibcode:2014PhT....67g..42D. doi:10.1063/PT.3.2449. hdl:1721.1/99159. ISSN   0031-9228.
  22. ↑ December 2013, Tia Ghose 12 (12 December 2013). "Ozone Hole Won't Heal Until 2070, NASA Finds". livescience.com. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  23. ↑ Pereira, Sydney (2018-01-05). "NASA study found that the hole in Earth's ozone layer is closing up due to a decline in the chemicals causing it". Newsweek. Archived from the original on 2018-01-06. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  24. ↑ Bompey, Nanci (January 22, 2019). "Podcast: Uncovering the Ozone Hole". Eos. Archived from the original on 2019-02-02. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  25. ↑ "List of Fellows". American Meteorological Society. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  26. ↑ "Union Fellows | AGU". www.agu.org. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  27. 1 2 3 "Awards Won - Atmospheric Chemistry and Dynamics Laboratory - 614". science.gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  28. ↑ Douglass, Anne (2008). "Three Sides of the Balance". Motherhood, the Elephant in the Laboratory: Women Scientists Speak Out (1 ed.). Cornell University Press. pp. 63–66. ISBN   978-0-8014-7669-3. JSTOR   10.7591/j.ctt7v7kb.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
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