Gregory Jenkins

Research Summary

Atmospheric/Air Chemistry: Biomass burning, soils, and lightning in Africa provide natural and anthropogenic sources of ozone to the free troposphere, which can influence air quality and increase net radiative surface forcing.  Mineral dust can act as a sink of tropospheric ozone through heterogeneous chemical processes.  I have been trying to understand how lightning in particular and mineral dust aerosols can act as sources and sinks of tropospheric ozone in regions downstream of continental Africa.

Climate: Late 20th century drying and model projections of more arid conditions in the middle to late 21st century have and may further alter the way of life for many in West Africa.  Understanding the processes related to these changes require analysis of regional and global models.  It also requires a better understanding of limited observations for determining emerging trends in West Africa.   Climate variability and change will increase the challenges of decision-makers in West Africa who are addressing issues of urbanization, poverty alleviation, water resources, public health, and food security. 

Tropical Meteorology: Weather hazards in the form of mesoscale convective systems, Saharan dust storms and tropical cyclones in the Eastern Atlantic pose a threat to continental, coastal zones, and the Island Nation of Cape Verde.  Tropical cyclone formation over the Eastern Atlantic also poses a threat to downstream communities of the Caribbean, the United States, and Central America.  Limited real-time weather forecasts and observations do not provide the necessary protection or provide a complete picture of how vulnerable communities in West Africa are being impacted.