A Lobachevsky University research project on modelling weather, climate and air quality obtained a grant from the Russian Science Foundation. A three-year project is entitled “Physical Nature and Theoretical Models of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer over a Heterogeneous Surface with Application to Very High Resolution Modelling of Weather, Climate and Air Quality.” A project leader is Professor Sergej S. Zilitinkevich of the Finnish Meteorological Institute, who is also the Chief Scientist of the Laboratory of Planetary Boundary Layer Physics at Lobachevsky University.

The project is aimed at solving the fundamental problems of physics of the atmosphere and hydrosphere and developing new theories of the interaction between the atmosphere and the hydrosphere, atmospheric turbulence and planetary boundary layers. Current trends in Earth sciences make it possible to meet high requirements for weather and air quality forecasting as well as modelling of the Earth's climate.

The studies, to be carried out under these objectives, will focus on revision of conventional theories and methods used to calculate atmospheric convective planetary boundary layers, with particular attention to recently discovered (and yet insufficiently studied) conventionally neutral and long-lived planetary boundary layers, which are typical of the marine atmosphere. The study will also focus on heat and mass transfer laws for a rough water surface in a wide range of wind speeds, including a hurricane. The results of the research will be used to build new models of planetary boundary layers.

A new numerical model of a natural landscape with an internal reservoir will be developed to showcase results. This numerical model will incorporate modern models of atmospheric circulation and surface waves.

The environmental impact of a cascade of reservoirs on climate will be assessed as part of the research project.

The project is a winner of 2015 Open Public Competition for Grants organized by the Russian Science Foundation – “Fundamental Research and Exploratory Research by Small Groups under the Supervision of Leading Russian or Foreign Scientists.” The total funding will reach 30 million rubles by 2017. Ten million rubles will be invested in the project in 2015.

The Russian Science Foundation was established on the initiative of the President of the Russian Federation to support research and development (R&D) by leading research teams in different fields of science.