Mission Statement

The Institute of Atmospheric Sciences studies the physical, chemical, and biological processes that affect the composition and dynamics of the atmosphere. Research is directly linked to an undergraduate and graduate program (see the Department of Atmospheric Sciences) that provides a fundamental understanding of the atmosphere, and opportunities for applied research, theoretical research, and technical training to prepare students for careers in meteorology, atmospheric science, remote sensing and environmental technology.

Overview

The Institute of Atmospheric Sciences of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology was organized in 1959 to conduct atmospheric research with emphasis upon weather modification. Members of the Institute, working together, provide an integrated approach to a variety of research areas in the atmospheric sciences. Current research areas include observational and numerical modeling studies of thunderstorms and hailstorms; numerical modeling of clouds and storms including storm electrification, lightning, and lightning-influenced atmospheric chemistry; applications of weather radar data to remote inference of cloud microphysical characteristics and rainfall measurements; numerical weather prediction and forecast assessment; fire weather prediction and modeling; land-surface/atmosphere exchange processes; biogeochemical cycling; studies of the planetary boundary layer; effects of aerosols on cloud physics; regional climate modeling; and meteorological information and visualization technologies.

The Institute operated an armored T-28 research aircraft (modified for penetration of strong convective storms) as a national facility under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation from 1968 to 2004, at which time the aircraft was retired. Staff at IAS continue to study the data provided from T-28 missions, and a project is currently underway to archive the data collection. Plans are also underway for a replacement aircraft.

Facilities

At present, the full-time staff of the Institute consists of 12 persons, including professional, technical, and clerical staff. The facilities available to the Institute include a tethered-balloon-based air sampling system, a hand-held dual input UV/NVIR (350-1050 nm) spectroradiometer, plant canopy instrumentation (including a Li-Cor LAI-2000 plant canopy analyzer, sunfleck ceptometers, Li-Cor photosynthesis system, a Li-Cor steady state porometer, and automatic data logging equipment), and an eddy-covariance flux instrumentation package. Extensive use is made of a series of sophisticated numerical cloud models incorporating fully coupled dynamical and microphysical processes. A network of UNIX workstations and PC systems is available for staff and student computing needs. A campus network provides access via Internet to other computers off campus (including the supercomputer system at the National Center for Atmospheric Research). The Institute receives current weather data through the UNIDATA system, and the National Weather Service Rapid City Forecast Office is now collocated on the campus. Through collaborations with the EROS Data Center, the Institute also has an extensive collection of satellite imagery of South Dakota and other regions.

The Biogeochemistry Core Facility was established on the SD Mines campus in 2006 to enhance technical facilities, allowing SDSM&T faculty in the Atmospheric Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Geology and Geological Engineering, and Chemistry Departments to perform cutting-edge ecological and environmental research. It also provides opportunities to train and educate undergraduate and graduate students in terrestrial and aquatic biogeochemistry, ecology, and environmental sciences. It will further strengthen research and education partnerships between SDSM&T, Black Hills State University, Oglala Lakota College, and Sinte Gleska University by serving as a regional resource for collaborative research endeavors.

Funding

Funding for the many projects conducted by the Institute over the years has totaled more than $30,000,000 and has come from the State of South Dakota, private sources, the Old West Regional Commission, the North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board and agencies in other states, the World Meteorological Organization, and a number of agencies of the U.S. Government. The federal agencies which have sponsored Institute projects are the Departments of Defense, Energy, and Interior, National Science Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

(Page updated 12/21/2011)