Joseph M. Prospero
Professor of Marine and Atmospheric
Chemistry,
Director of Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies
(1990 -
present)
Biography
B.S. 1956, Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pennsylvania
M.A. 1959, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
Ph.D.
1963,
Princeton University
Awards and Honours
AGU Editors' Citation for Excellence in Refereeing for JGR-Atmospheres (2003)
Fellow AGU (2004)
Fellow AAAS (2004)
Professional Activities
American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Chemical Society
American Geophysical Union
American
Meteorological Society
Research Interests
Our aerosol group focuses on the aerosol chemistry of the marine atmosphere and the biogeochemical effects of the long range atmospheric transport of materials from the continents to the ocean environment. Starting 35 years ago, we pioneered in the study of mineral aerosol (soil dust) transport, showing that huge quantities of dust were carried by winds from arid regions to the oceans. Dust has a great impact on the chemistry of the atmosphere, oceans and sediments. Indeed, our work served as the foundation for the recent interest in the role of windborne iron as an important limiting nutrient in many ocean regions. Working with modelers and using satellite remote sensing, we are developing a much better picture of dust sources, dust properties, and the effects of climate on dust transport.
We also study the marine nitrogen and sulfur cycle. Human activities account for about half of the atmospheric sulfur and nitrogen budget. Our strategy is to characterize the chemical climatology of sulfur and nitrogen species in aerosols over the oceans. To this end we established a global-scale network of aerosol sampling stations. For the past 20 years we operated 25-30 stations located in every ocean and in the Arctic. These data have been widely used by modelers for developing and validating chemical transport models. By coupling these data with meteorological information and with the analysis of various tracer materials in the samples, we are better able to understand the processes that effect these distributions: the types of sources and the role of atmospheric transport, transformation and removal processes. Our data was, in effect, the only over-ocean aerosol data used in the recent IPCC assessment.
We also study the physical properties of aerosols that play an important role in climate through radiation and cloud processes. Evidence suggests that, on a global scale, anthropogenic aerosols could result in a cooling that is comparable in magnitude, but opposite in sign, to the hypothesized heating attributed to CO2 and the other greenhouse gases. Nonetheless, as shown in the recent IPCC assessment, the error estimates on aerosol effects are extremely large and, as a result, it is very difficult to characterize the net climate effect of aerosols. Our studies are directed toward a better understanding of these effects.
More recently we have begun studies on the long range transport of viable microorganisms. Our studies in the trade winds on Barbados show that viable bacteria and fungi are seen only in the presence of African dust. This raises questions as to the factors that affect the intercontinental transport of viable microorganisms. These studies could shed light on the long range impacts of plant, animal and human pathogens.
Publications: list
Contact
Prof. Joseph M.
Prospero
RSMAS/MAC
University of Miami
4600 Rickenbacker Causeway
Miami, FL 33149-1098
Telephone: 305-421-4159
Fax: 305-421-4457
jprospero@rsmas.miami.edu