High-mountain Observatory of Physics of Atmospheric Processes KRSU and NS RAS

VGO FAP KRSU and NS RAS consists of the following divisions:

• Field Experimental Base (PEB)
• Sector for technical support of experimental work
• Experimental data processing sector

Location of the Field Experimental Base of the VGO FAP KRSU and the National Assembly of the Russian Academy of Sciences:

• 722347, KR, Issyk-Kul region, Ak-Suu district, Lesnoy village, 1A.

Field Experimental Base of the VGO FAP KRSU and NS RAS, located in the northeast of Kyrgyzstan in the Northern Tien Shan (42.46383 °N; 78.52895 °E; 1930 m above sea level), is a regional station (IAOCA-KRSU) that performs observations of atmospheric aerosol parameters using the photometer CIMEL within the framework of the AERONET/PHOTONS program.

AERONET (AErosol RObotic NETwork) Automated Terrestrial Atmospheric Monitoring Network — is the most important global aerosol monitoring network that has more than 700 ground-based solar photometers distributed throughout the world to provide high-precision, long-term and continuous observations of the optical, microphysical and radiation properties of the aerosol, performed with high time resolution and intended for various research purposes and are used in solving a wide range of scientific and applied problems.

The special geographical location of the IAOCA-KRSU station is determined by the significant influence of regional dust sources (Takla-Makan Desert), as well as the location of dust aerosol transport from more distant sources (North Africa, Middle East and Aral Sea).

Scientific research on important issues

The High-Mountain Observatory of the Physics of Atmospheric Processes KRSU and the National Assembly of the Russian Academy of Sciences conducts scientific research on important problems in the field of atmospheric physics, ecology, climate change, interaction of geospheres, geodynamics, seismology.
The key areas are

1. Experimental studies of the optical, microphysical and radiation characteristics of an atmospheric aerosol, based on the results of simulation, ground-based and satellite remote sensing:

• Carrying out regular ground-based lidar and photometric measurements of spectral characteristics and vertical profiles of the aerosol;
• Studies of the temporal variability of aerosol characteristics, including seasonal changes in the properties of airborne particles;
• Identifying the spatial distribution of the aerosol in the region;
• Transformations of airborne particle characteristics during regional transport;
• Characterization of the dominant aerosol types and the main regions - sources of their emission;
• Identification of the dust aerosol;
• Assessing the effect of absorbent aerosol particles on atmospheric radiation regime and atmospheric heating/cooling rate;
• Identification of structural components of multi-year time series of aerosol parameters.

2. Studies of the dynamic processes occurring in the various layers of the lower atmosphere and ionosphere in order to identify the pattern of the manifestation of atmospheric effects preceding earthquakes:

• Determining the main features that are characteristic of pre-seismic disturbances in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS);
• Developing algorithms for processing large satellite data arrays to isolate and visualize pre-seismic disturbances in the lower atmosphere;
• Analyzing the thermal and wind structure of UTLS;
• Isolation of space-time distributions of pre-seismic anomalous variations in meteorological parameters;
• Analysis of solar and geomagnetic activity during the studied periods of seismic activity;
• Comparison of meteorological parameter anomalies with the dynamics of seismic processes in the regions;
• Analysis of the results obtained, identification of characteristic features of pre-seismic disturbances in atmospheric parameters, probable mechanisms of interaction between the lithosphere and the atmosphere.