University of Wrocław, Department of Climatology and Atmospheric Protection
The Department of Climatology and Atmospheric Protection at the University of Wrocław (ZKiOA) is one of the oldest scientific centres in Poland specialising in atmospheric sciences. It has been operating continuously since 1946, both as a research unit and through the operation of the Meteorology and Climatology Observatory in Wrocław. Initially, the department focused on routine meteorological measurements, but since the early 1990s its research profile has been systematically expanded to include comprehensive air quality monitoring, carried out under the programme “Monitoring system of the atmospheric boundary layer, aerosanitary and biometeorological conditions.”
This integrated measurement and analysis platform, designed to provide high temporal resolution data, supports detailed investigations into processes occurring in the atmospheric boundary layer and their influence on the dynamics of air pollutant concentrations in urban environments. In recent years, the station has been equipped with instruments meeting ACTRIS minimum requirements for two components: aerosol measurements using both in-situ and remote sensing techniques. Additionally, the monitoring infrastructure has been extended to support bioaerosol research.
One of the department’s key priorities is the development of advanced methods for analysing measurement data and integrating them with numerical models of air quality and meteorological conditions (e.g. WRF-Chem, EMEP4PL, uEMEP, ADMS). The department is also actively exploring the application of artificial intelligence techniques in the modelling and forecasting of atmospheric processes.
ZKiOA strongly supports the development of young researchers and students by offering academic courses in “Geography”, “Environmental Protection”, and, starting in 2025, a new programme: “Climatology and Atmospheric Protection with Elements of Artificial Intelligence.” The department also organises workshops, seminars, and research internships.
As part of its outreach and engagement, the department is involved in Citizen Science initiatives, developing guidelines for community-based monitoring networks and offering training sessions for individuals interested in air quality monitoring. These efforts help raise environmental awareness and contribute valuable additional measurement data.
The department maintains close collaborations with both national and international research centres, providing access to advanced computational infrastructure and enabling participation in research and calibration campaigns. Through its open portal OpenData, the department shares collected data in line with FAIR principles, supporting interdisciplinary research, environmental management, and the development of data-driven services.
As part of the ACTRIS-PL project, ZKiOA is carrying out the task ‘Development of the ACTRIS observation platform in Wrocław’ in the field of aerosol measurements using in situ and remote sensing techniques, in particular:
- integration of equipment for aerosol measurements using in-situ techniques: APS particle spectrometers, SMPS, Aurora 4000 nephelometer, AE43 aethalometer, and ACSM aerosol chemical composition analyser
- expansion and integration of remote sensing measurements (Reamowski aerosol lidar, solar and lunar photometers,
- connection of the measurement system to the central ACTRIS database,
- use of collected data for assimilation and validation of air quality models (WRF-Chem, EMEP4PL)
- integration of remote sensing and in situ measurements in the analysis of atmospheric bioaerosols
- analysis of the structure of the atmospheric boundary layer using remote sensing devices (lidar, Doppler sodar) and drone measurements;
- making measurement results available online
dr Anetta Drzeniecka-Osiadacz
ACTRIS-PL Project Coordinator at the University of Wrocław; Assistant Professor at the Department of Climatology and Atmospheric Protection; specialist in aerosol measurements and modelling of atmospheric processes.
anetta.drzeniecka-osiadacz@uwr.edu.pl