Long-term measurements of the atmospheric composition are required for a full understanding of the effects of human emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants. For historic reasons, the network of observing stations run under the auspices of the World Meteorological Organisation's Global Atmospheric Watch program has some regions which are well studied (e.g. Europe and North America) and some which are not. One region where the observing capability is limited is that part of Southeast Asia and the West Pacific known as the 'Maritime Continent'. This project worked with the University of Malaya and the Malaysian Meteorological Department to develop a high-quality, long-term atmospheric monitoring program at the new field station at Bachok on the Malaysian peninsula. This site was extremely well located for studies of the outflow of the rapidly developing Southeast Asian countries, as well as for the interaction of that air with the much cleaner atmosphere in the southern hemisphere. The Universities of Cambridge and East Anglia both had experience in making long-term measurements. In particular UEA have operated a well-instrumented observing site at Weybourne on the north Norfolk coast for well over a decade. This expertise was used to develop the existing capability in Malaysia and to design and implement a programme of long-term measurements at Bachok. The focus of the measurements in the first instance was on greenhouse gases, ozone depleting substances, and chemical pollutants. In addition we will be encouraging the involvement of other interested scientists in NCAS Composition, the UK more generally and beyond to strengthen the planned measurement program. A demonstration activity will be arranged in the winter monsoon season when the flow is strongly from Southeast Asia. T

his activity had two aims: (i) ensuring high quality measurements are made at the site; and (ii) determine the characteristics of the site and its suitability for the assessment of both global and regional atmospheric composition. Many of the measurements made in this activity will then be continued in to the monitoring programme. It is important to ensure that such measurements are fully exploited, and to this end the project collaborated with partners in Taiwan and Australia and developed a modelling strategy for the interpretation of the data in conjunction with UK modelling groups including those at Cambridge, UEA and within NCAS. Exchange visits were used for training purposes and for the development of collaborative interpretive studies (and peer-reviewed publications).

Objectives: The overall objective of this proposal was to work with NCAS Composition to improve the UK capability to monitor and understand the atmospheric changes in the Southeast Asian and West Pacific region by developing scientific collaborations with scientists in Malaysia, Taiwan, and Australia.

Specific objectives are:
1. Working with the University of Malaya and the Malaysian Meteorological Department to install instruments and observational programmes capable of joining the World Meteorological Organisation's Global Atmospheric Watch Programme;
2. Demonstrate the capability and potential of the new Bachok research station in an intensive one month's demonstration activity;
3. Maintain an ongoing observational programme including rigorous QA/QC procedures;
4. Develop links with the UK atmospheric modelling community as well scientists in the partner countries, to ensure that the measurements made are fully exploited;
5. Create a network of interested scientists to provide joint interpretations of measurements from stations in the region, in particular to exploit Bachok's location downwind of Southeast Asia in winter and North Australia in the summer;
6. Organise an international conference to promote the capabilities of the Bachok site and the science produced.