Solar wind composition at solar maximum

Although coronal mass ejections have traditionally been thought to contribu te only a minor fraction to the total solar particle flux, and although suc h events mainly occur in lower heliographic latitudes, the impressive spect acle of eruptions - observed with SOHO/LASCO even at times of solar minimum - indicates that an important part of the low-latitude solar corona is fed with matter and magnetic fields in a highly transient manner. Elemental an d isotopic abundances determined with the new generation of particle instru ments with high sensitivity and strongly enhanced time resolution indicate that, apart from FIP/FIT-fractionation, mass-dependent fractionation can al so influence the replenishment of the thermal ion population of the corona. Furthermore, selective enrichment of the thermal coronal plasma with rare species such as He-3 can occur. Such compositional features have until rece ntly only been found in energetic particles from impulsive flare events. Th is review will concentrate on this and other aspects of the present solar m aximum and conclude with some outlook on future investigations of near-terr estrial space climate (the generalized counterpart of 'space weather').