Two of the most crucial present environmental problems dealing with our changing atmosphere are health-issues associated with air pollution and climate change resulting from man-made activities. One of the major current research challenges dealing with these two aspects is related to the role played by aerosols. First, fine particles (particularly the organic ones) includes hundreds of potentially toxic compounds, and are one of the most serious health-issues associated with air pollution. Second, it is now clear that the present (and future) climate change is not simply related to the "greenhouse gases" but also to aerosols, particularly at regional scales. Until now, most of efforts dedicated to the aerosol/climate coupling were focused on sulfate aerosol for which source apportionment (natural versus anthropogenic) are now quite well known and past anthropogenic emission inventories exist. The bulk organic matter now seems to be the major component of fine continental aerosol, but very important gaps exist on its spatial distribution and physico-chemical properties (thus its health-toxicity and climatic forcing). In addition, the relative contribution of natural against anthropogenic (fossil fuel combustion) sources is not yet known and thus the degree to which the fragile natural equilibrium of our atmosphere has been disturbed is very poorly understood. By reconstructing the changing atmospheric aerosol load and composition over Europe from the present polluted atmosphere to its natural level and evaluating the subsequent radiative impact, we will contribute to improve understanding and thus forecasting climate and environmental issues. That is obligatory in a sustainable development prospective which is key parts in the EU-environmental policy.

URL: http://www.vein.hu/CARBOSOL/