On the status of atmospheric chemistry in Latin America and the Caribbean: Observations and modeling

The Latin America and the Caribbean region (LAC) face various challenges at maintaining sustained observation networks and establishing regional modeling capabilities that have a direct influence in policymaking processes. Despite many structural limitations, research groups in LAC continue to collaborate in deepening the understanding of atmospheric chemistry processes and their impacts on air quality, atmospheric composition, and health. However, these scientific efforts cannot substitute for the much-needed coordinated action at national and regional levels to establish long-term programs that support monitoring and research, with the goal of informing policy design. Observation networks in LAC are generally managed by local or central governments, which have limited resources, and are mostly focused on monitoring air quality in large cities. However, not all stations measure all criteria pollutants. As per observations of other important species to atmospheric chemistry, volatile organic compounds have only been measured in very few countries. On the other hand, satellite observations are of crucial importance, but there is a general lack of systematic validations of these products in the region. Atmospheric composition networks are also scarce given the continental extension of LAC. These shortcomings hinder modeling efforts. At the same time, important advances in this field—such as improved emission models and mechanisms for the formation of secondary pollutants—are often overlooked by international research groups and agencies. In this work, we present the status of observations and modeling efforts in the region, and we discuss challenges and needs for coordinated efforts to break this pattern.