Susan Solomon
Encyclopedia
Susan Solomon is an atmospheric chemist working for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
. Solomon was one of the first to propose chlorofluorocarbons as the cause of the Antarctic ozone hole.
Solomon is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the European Academy of Sciences, and the Academy of Sciences of France.
. In high school she placed third in a national science fair, with a project that measured the percent of oxygen in a gas mixture.
Solomon received a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Illinois Institute of Technology
in 1977. She received her Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley
in 1981, where she specialized in atmospheric chemistry.
Chemical Sciences Division.
's failed 1912 Antarctic
expedition, specifically applying the comparison of modern meteorological data with that recorded by Scott's expedition in an attempt to shed new light on the reasons for the demise of Scott's polar party.
in Antarctica to investigate the hole in the ozone layer in 1986 and another in 1987. Her team discovered higher levels of chlorine oxide
than expected in the atmosphere, which had been released by the chlorofluorocarbons.
Solomon also showed that volcanoes could accelerate the reactions caused by chlorofluorocarbons, and so increase the damage to the ozone layer. Her work formed the basis of the U.N. Montreal Protocol, an international agreement to protect the ozone layer by regulating damaging chemicals.
.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , pronounced , like "noah", is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere...
. Solomon was one of the first to propose chlorofluorocarbons as the cause of the Antarctic ozone hole.
Solomon is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the European Academy of Sciences, and the Academy of Sciences of France.
Early life
Solomon began her interest in science as a child watching The Undersea World of Jacques CousteauThe Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau
The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau is a nonfiction documentary television series focusing on marine biodiversity, hosted by French filmmaker, researcher and marine explorer, Jacques Cousteau. New episodes of the series aired from 1968 until 1975....
. In high school she placed third in a national science fair, with a project that measured the percent of oxygen in a gas mixture.
Solomon received a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology, commonly called Illinois Tech or IIT, is a private Ph.D.-granting university located in Chicago, Illinois, with programs in engineering, science, psychology, architecture, business, communications, industrial technology, information technology, design, and law...
in 1977. She received her Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
in 1981, where she specialized in atmospheric chemistry.
Work
Solomon is the head of the Chemistry and Climate Processes Group of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , pronounced , like "noah", is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere...
Chemical Sciences Division.
Books
The Coldest March: Scott's Fatal Antarctic Expedition - Depicts the tale of Captain Robert Falcon ScottRobert Falcon Scott
Captain Robert Falcon Scott, CVO was a Royal Navy officer and explorer who led two expeditions to the Antarctic regions: the Discovery Expedition, 1901–04, and the ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition, 1910–13...
's failed 1912 Antarctic
Antarctic
The Antarctic is the region around the Earth's South Pole, opposite the Arctic region around the North Pole. The Antarctic comprises the continent of Antarctica and the ice shelves, waters and island territories in the Southern Ocean situated south of the Antarctic Convergence...
expedition, specifically applying the comparison of modern meteorological data with that recorded by Scott's expedition in an attempt to shed new light on the reasons for the demise of Scott's polar party.
The ozone hole
Solomon was chosen to lead the National Ozone Expedition to McMurdo SoundMcMurdo Sound
The ice-clogged waters of Antarctica's McMurdo Sound extend about 55 km long and wide. The sound opens into the Ross Sea to the north. The Royal Society Range rises from sea level to 13,205 feet on the western shoreline. The nearby McMurdo Ice Shelf scribes McMurdo Sound's southern boundary...
in Antarctica to investigate the hole in the ozone layer in 1986 and another in 1987. Her team discovered higher levels of chlorine oxide
Chlorine oxide
Chlorine and oxygen can bond in many different ways:* chlorine monoxide * chlorine dioxide * chlorine trioxide * dichlorine monoxide * dichlorine dioxide * dichlorine trioxide...
than expected in the atmosphere, which had been released by the chlorofluorocarbons.
Solomon also showed that volcanoes could accelerate the reactions caused by chlorofluorocarbons, and so increase the damage to the ozone layer. Her work formed the basis of the U.N. Montreal Protocol, an international agreement to protect the ozone layer by regulating damaging chemicals.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Solomon served as one of the co-chairs of Working Group 1 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate ChangeIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is a scientific intergovernmental body which provides comprehensive assessments of current scientific, technical and socio-economic information worldwide about the risk of climate change caused by human activity, its potential environmental and...
.
Awards
- 2009 – Volvo Environment PrizeVolvo Environment PrizeVolvo Environment Prize is an annual international award originating in Sweden. The prize is awarded to individuals who explore the way to a sustainable world...
- 2008 – Great Medal of the Academy of Sciences of France
- 2007 – Nobel Peace Prize (awarded jointly to Al Gore and all IPCC members)
- 2007 – William Bowie MedalWilliam Bowie MedalThe William Bowie Medal is awarded annually by the American Geophysical Union for 'outstanding contributions to fundamental geophysics and for unselfish cooperation in research"...
- 2004 – Blue Planet Prize
- 2000 – Carl-Gustaf Rossby Research MedalCarl-Gustaf Rossby Research MedalThe Carl-Gustaf Rossby Research Medal is the highest award for atmospheric science of the American Meteorological Society. It is presented to individual scientists, who receive a medal...
- 1999 – National Medal of ScienceNational Medal of ScienceThe National Medal of Science is an honor bestowed by the President of the United States to individuals in science and engineering who have made important contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of behavioral and social sciences, biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and...
- 1994 – Antarctic glacier named in her honor