Environmental Science BS - Atmosphere and Climate

California State University - Chico

The atmosphere plays one of the largest roles in shaping the environment. At any given moment and location, the state of the atmosphere (weather) controls important parameters such as the evaporation of water, the vertical movement of greenhouse gasses, and the dispersion of pollutants. On larger scales, the rotation of the Earth and the arrangement of bodies of water and landforms, have a profound impact on circulation and climate. California State University, Chico uses several technologies to study the atmosphere. The Raman-shifted Eye-safe Aerosol Lidar (REAL) provides images of the distribution of dust and wind over scales ranging from about 10 m to 5 km. Fast-response in situ sensors, such as ultrasonic anemometers and open path CO2/H2O analyzers enable the measurement of vertical fluxes. A rotating tank allows students and faculty to visualize the profound, and often non-intuitive, effects of the Earth’s rotation on atmospheric and oceanic circulations.