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Climate studies to benefit from 12 years of satellite aerosol data
November 11, 2009Aerosols, very small particles suspended in the air, play an important role in the global climate balance and in regulating climate change. They are one of the greatest sources of uncertainty in climate change models. ESA's GlobAerosol project has been making the most of European satellite capabilities to monitor them.
Using data from the Along Track Scanning Radiometer-2 on the ERS-2 satellite, the Advanced Along Track Scanning Radiometer and the Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer on Envisat and the Spinning Enhanced Visible & InfraRed Imager (SEVIRI) instrument on the Meteosat Second Generation, GlobAerosol has produced a global aerosol dataset going back to 1995. The full dataset is available on the GlobAerosol website.
Some aerosols occur naturally, originating from sea-spray, wind-blown dust, volcanic eruptions and biochemical emissions from oceans and forests, while others are produced through emissions from industrial pollution, fossil-fuel burning, man-made forest fires and agriculture.
They are important because they strongly affect Earth's energy balance in two ways: they scatter and absorb sunlight and infrared emission from Earth's surface, and act as condensation nuclei for the formation of cloud droplets. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, these effects tend to cool the planet to almost the same degree as carbon dioxide emissions warm it. These estimates are uncertain, however, so more data are needed.
Satellite data can provide essential information on the global distribution of aerosols to help understand the impact of these processes for the purposes of predicting weather and climate as well as for monitoring the transport of industrial pollution.
To investigate the usefulness of the dataset, pilot studies were carried out by six atmospheric modelling groups from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, the Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et l'Environnement, the University of Leeds, the University of Edinburgh, the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, and the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). Comparing the satellite data with the model predictions showed differences that helped to highlight deficiencies in both.
Results of the pilot studies were presented during ESA's Atmospheric Science Conference held in Barcelona, Spain, in September. Maria Grazia Frontoso, working on the development of the GLOMAP aerosol model at the University of Leeds in the UK said: "GlobAerosol seems to be a very useful tool to address uncertainties in global models."
Arjo Segers from TNO in the Netherlands compared GlobAerosol data with model predictions of desert dust and forest fires over the Iberian peninsular. "The results of this study suggest that the GlobAerosol SEVIRI dataset is especially useful for investigating aerosol levels over water."
Still, more work is needed to address the problems highlighted in the intercomparison study of the models, and to improve the overall accuracy of the satellite aerosol data. The valuable feedback obtained from the users will help to lay the foundation for the development of more accurate satellite-based aerosol measurements as part of ESA's new Climate Change Initiative.
The GlobAerosol project was carried out by GMV (Spain), the University of Oxford (UK), Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (UK) and Laboratoire Optique Atmospherique (France) and funded by the Data User Element under ESA's Earth Observation Envelope Programme.
European Space Agency
Satellite data can provide essential information on the global distribution of aerosols to help understand the impact of these processes for the purposes of predicting weather and climate as well as for monitoring the transport of industrial pollution.
To investigate the usefulness of the dataset, pilot studies were carried out by six atmospheric modelling groups from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, the Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et l'Environnement, the University of Leeds, the University of Edinburgh, the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, and the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). Comparing the satellite data with the model predictions showed differences that helped to highlight deficiencies in both.
Results of the pilot studies were presented during ESA's Atmospheric Science Conference held in Barcelona, Spain, in September. Maria Grazia Frontoso, working on the development of the GLOMAP aerosol model at the University of Leeds in the UK said: "GlobAerosol seems to be a very useful tool to address uncertainties in global models."
Arjo Segers from TNO in the Netherlands compared GlobAerosol data with model predictions of desert dust and forest fires over the Iberian peninsular. "The results of this study suggest that the GlobAerosol SEVIRI dataset is especially useful for investigating aerosol levels over water."
Still, more work is needed to address the problems highlighted in the intercomparison study of the models, and to improve the overall accuracy of the satellite aerosol data. The valuable feedback obtained from the users will help to lay the foundation for the development of more accurate satellite-based aerosol measurements as part of ESA's new Climate Change Initiative.
The GlobAerosol project was carried out by GMV (Spain), the University of Oxford (UK), Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (UK) and Laboratoire Optique Atmospherique (France) and funded by the Data User Element under ESA's Earth Observation Envelope Programme.
European Space Agency
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Inhalation Aerosols: Physical and Biological Basis for Therapy, Second Edition (Lung Biology in Health and Disease) by Anthony J. Hickey (Editor) Extensively updated to reflect the outpouring of research in the field, this Second Edition documents the theory and practical utilization of aerosols in inhalation therapy and tracks advances in aerosol formulation, development, and application. Supplying readers with studies on physiology, metabolism, and pharmacokinetics for a clear understanding of the therapeutic impact of lung aerosols, this guide analyzes inhalation technologies for a vast array of diseases including asthma, cystic fibrosis, COPD, pulmonary infectious diseases, and diabetes. |
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Airborne by Aerosol 2009 relese, the second album from Rasmus Rasmussen's Aerosol project. Starting out as a member of the Post-Rock band Limp with band mates Jonas Munk, Jakob Skott and Jess Kahr, Rasmussen helped incubate a certain sound that the four have nurtured in each of their solo endeavors. Rasmussen's take on the sun drenched Post-Shoegaze of the "post-limp collective" has a more defined sense of Psychedelia and openness than his mates. |
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Gillette, Dry Look Aerosol Hair Spray Regular Hold 8 Oz by GILLETTE. INDICATIONS: Holds your style all day - even if you have fine or thinning hair. |
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Nilotron Aerosol Refill Citrus by Nilodor These 6.75oz refills fit most aerosol dispensers & are V.O.C. compliant. Use in the Nilotron Aerosol Starter kit. Contains proprietary odor counteractants for long-lasting odor neutralization. |
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K&N 99-0504 Air Filter Oil - 6.5oz- Aerosol by K & N FILTER K&N Air Filter Oil is the only oil specially formulated to work in combination with the cotton fabric in K&N FilterCharger elements providing a superior air filtration system. When used as directed, it quickly penetrates the filter pleats, where it remains suspended in the cotton fabric. Air filter oil is designed specifically for air filter elements and will boost the performance of cars and trucks. Saturation is maintained until the element is cleaned with K&N air filter cleaner and degreaser. Air filter oil is applied to moisten the foam filter element. Even amount of oil is applied over the foam filter element. Use your fingers and squeeze the foam filter element to ensure that the oil is absorbed throughout the foam filter element. |
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First Alert AF400 Tundra Fire Extinguisher Aerosol Spray by First Alert Wide spray nozzle for best area coverage / Easy to use / Up to 3-Year Shelf Life Fits digital cameras that use SD Memory cards. Offers 4 GB of memory to store photos on the card. Includes USB memory card reader to make set-up easy. Eye-Fi Card requires Internet connection to set-up and WiFi network for wireless transfers Eye-Fi Card works with virtually all digital cameras accepting SD memory cards Eye-Fi Card works with 802.11g, 802.11b and backwards-compatible 802.11n wireless networks Eye-Fi Software works with Windows XP, Windows Vista, Mac OS X (10.3 and 10.4) Eye-Fi software works with Internet Explorer 6 and 7 (Windows only), FireFox 2.0 (Windows and Macintosh) Eye-Fi Card wirelessly connects to your home Wi-Fi network and uploads your pictures to a photo... |
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Cosmetics Aerosols and Toiletries in Australia by Manor Enterprises Pty Ltd | |
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3-IN-ONE Professional White Lithium Grease, 10.25 oz Aerosol Can by 3-IN-ONE Long-lasting, heavy-duty lubricant in an aerosol can.This water and heat resistant formulation provides you with a long-lasting, heavy-duty lubricant in an aerosol can. 3-IN-ONE Professional White Lithium Grease reduces friction while protecting against rust and corrosion. It sprays on evenly as a liquid, and sets up dry for a thick coating. It will not splatter, melt, run, wash off or freeze. 3-IN-ONE Professional White Lithium Grease has a variety of uses: Automotive: Hinges, locks, latches, seat tracks, strike plates, cables, distributor cams, battery terminals, radio antennas, windshield wiper mechanisms, bolts, bearings, clean engines, and more. Home: Sliding doors, windows, hinges, appliances, lawn and garden equipment, garage door tracks, chains, screws, guns and tools. ... |
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Boeshield T-9, 12-oz. aerosol by PMS PRODUCTS INC Boeshield T-9 was designed by the Boeing Co. to penetrate deeply into fasteners and fixtures, as well as displace moisture and stop existing corrosion. Boeshield T-9 dries to a clean waxy film, lubricates, and protects for months. It will also loosen rusted parts and will not harm paints, plastics, vinyl, or rubber. Boeshield T-9 can be used on outboard and inboard engines, propellers, trim tabs and outdrives, sailboat rigging and hardware, towers, and outriggers. Its also recommended for battery terminals, instrument wiring connections, fuse panels, fishing reels, guns, locks, hinges, cables, trailer parts, and power tools. |
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Aussie Instant Freeze Hairspray Aerosol, 7-Ounce Bottle (Pack of 12) by Aussie Aussome Volume Hair Spray revitalizes dull, limp locks with strong hold and high shine for gorgeous, long-lasting style. |
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