Researchers studied isotope anomalies in rocks, ice cores, and atmospheric samples to understand the rise of oxygen in the atmosphere. They found that ultraviolet light from the Sun drove atmospheric evolution, leading to the formation of ozone that shields life on Earth.
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have developed a groundbreaking water treatment technology combining ozone and ultraviolet light, providing highest level of public health protection while lowering harmful byproducts. The technology has been implemented in major cities worldwide and is considered cost-effective for many c...
Researchers at Ames Laboratory have developed a new thermal barrier coating technology that enhances engine operation in high-temperature environments. The new coating, which uses nickel-aluminum-platinum alloy samples, offers significant improvements in oxidation resistance and reduces the risk of failure in gas turbines.
A team of scientists found that solar storms and Arctic winds led to a 60% ozone reduction in the upper stratosphere in 2004. The study used data from seven satellites to conclude that energetic particles from the sun triggered chemical reactions, leading to increased nitrogen oxide levels.
A Harvard researcher predicts a decline in cleansing summer winds, leading to increased ground-level ozone pollution. This could exacerbate respiratory issues like asthma for affected populations.
Researchers at Temple University's Center for Advanced Photonics Research are working on developing cyclic ozone, a molecule with three times the energy of normal ozone, which could play a crucial role in powering future space missions. The team plans to use ultrafast lasers to synthesize the molecule using an evolutionary search strat...
A team of international scientists is measuring the Arctic atmosphere to validate NASA's Aura satellite data. The focus is on understanding ozone depletion in this sensitive region, which can have severe effects on humans and ecosystems.
Scientists studied intercontinental smog ozone processes associated with the brown cloud over South Asia using a new NASA technique combining satellite and balloon data. The study found that both brown cloud pollution and natural processes contribute to unhealthy levels of ozone in the troposphere.
Aura is providing unprecedented spatial resolution to monitor global pollution production and transport, offering new insights into climate changes and the recovery of the Earth's protective stratospheric ozone layer. The satellite's instruments study tropospheric chemistry and provide daily global monitoring of air pollution.
Researchers used a simple climate model to demonstrate that changes in the strength of winds in the stratosphere can cause changes in tropospheric weather systems. This understanding is crucial for improving seasonal weather forecasts and predicting the effects of ozone depletion and global warming on our climate.
Reductions in carbon dioxide and non-carbon dioxide trace gases can stabilize the climate with warming less than 1°C at 520 ppm CO2 levels. The Montreal Protocol is effective in reducing ozone-depleting gases, but needs extension to address other trace gases.
A study found a significant association between short-term ozone exposure and an increase in daily death rates, particularly among older adults. The researchers estimated that a 10-ppb increase in ozone was associated with an additional 3,767 premature deaths annually in urban communities.
A large-scale study conducted from 1987 to 2000 found a strong link between short-term changes in ground-level ozone and mortality in 95 urban areas, covering 40% of the US population. The study suggests that reducing daily ozone levels by 10 parts per billion could save up to 4,000 lives annually.
A study of 95 US cities found that ground-level ozone is associated with a 0.52% daily increase in deaths, with an average daily ozone level of 26ppb. A 10ppb reduction in daily ozone could save nearly 4,000 lives.
The SAGE II instrument has provided 20 years of high-quality ozone measurements, enabling scientists to monitor trends and changes in the stratosphere. Its data have also helped study the impact of volcanic aerosols on temperatures and the effects of human activities on the Earth's radiation balance.
Researchers found that low ozone levels and increasing greenhouse gases contribute to cooler South Pole temperatures, but may cancel each other out in the future.
A Princeton University study found that changes in U.S. forests caused by land use practices have increased the emission of smog-producing chemicals from trees, which may have worsened ozone pollution in some parts of the country. The study suggests that intensified tree farming and other land use changes have altered the mix of trees ...
Researchers have found a well-preserved layer of tiny grains at a kaolin mine in Warren County, Georgia, indicating that the grains and surrounding rocks were formed during a recent meteor strike beneath the Chesapeake Bay. The discovery provides valuable information about the massive impact event and its effects on the environment.
Siberian forest fires significantly affected air quality in Seattle, exceeding EPA ozone limits. Climate change is expected to increase fire frequency and severity, posing a greater threat to human health across western North America.
Aura, NASA's latest Earth-observing satellite, was launched to study the health of the Earth's atmosphere, focusing on ozone layer recovery and climate change. The satellite will survey the atmosphere from the troposphere to the stratosphere, using four instruments to collect data on air quality and its impact on the planet.
Scientists examine how oleic acid reacts with ozone and water molecules in the atmosphere, producing hazardous byproducts that can cause respiratory problems. The researchers aim to measure the exact amount of these byproducts formed during reactions.
The CU-Boulder satellite's HIRDLS instrument will provide a clearer picture of the ozone layer's recovery and greenhouse gas distribution. With finer horizontal resolution and increased sensitivity, the instrument is expected to produce valuable data on climate change.
A recent study found that the gene TLR4 plays a crucial role in determining the lung's response to environmental toxins, particularly ozone. Mice with a functional copy of the gene were more susceptible to asthma-like symptoms when exposed to high levels of ozone.
Aura will provide unprecedented information on the composition of the atmosphere and its impact on climate change and air quality. The satellite will help scientists understand how atmospheric composition affects and responds to changing climate conditions.
Researchers found large ozone trends in low latitudes and the Southern Hemisphere, indicating the ozone smog problem has expanded globally. The study suggests that increasing energy use worldwide causes large-scale ozone increases, reducing global air quality.
Scientists use NASA satellites and balloon-borne sensors to track the movement of a pollution train traveling from the Indian Ocean to the South Atlantic. The study reveals that Asian pollution can flow southward, get caught up in clouds, and reach as far as Brazil.
Researchers at Penn State have found a missing chemical that plays a significant role in ozone and aerosol production in the lower atmosphere. The discovery was made through a two-year study of hydroxyl radical reactivity in a forested area, which found that a temperature-dependent chemical was reacting with the hydroxyl radical.
Polar mesospheric clouds have been found to remove nearly all meteoric iron, a process similar to the depletion of the ozone layer. Laboratory experiments and computer modeling revealed that ice particles on the surfaces of these clouds efficiently uptake iron atoms, causing a local depletion in the metal layer.
A study by Texas A&M University reveals Houston's air quality is severely impacted due to industrial emissions and auto exhaust, posing a significant health risk to its 5 million residents. The city must take steps to curb its air pollution problems, including alternative energy sources and more efficient transportation.
Scientists have found that nighttime chemistry removes nitrogen oxides from the marine boundary layer off New England's coast, leading to reduced ozone production. This process can short-circuit some ozone formation and affects air quality forecasts.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have developed a novel technique to quantify stratospheric ozone in the upper troposphere. This allows for better understanding of how much ozone is transported from the stratosphere to the upper troposphere, affecting climate and atmospheric chemistry.
Researchers have discovered that halogen ions on the ocean's surface play a significant role in atmospheric chemistry, influencing ozone production and potentially exacerbating respiratory problems. The study found that iodide and bromide ions were more likely to react with other chemicals, leading to increased ozone formation.
The effects of Asian pollution on US air quality can be dramatic, raising health issues for those with respiratory problems. Small particulates as small as 10 microns can pass through the nose and into the respiratory system, causing noticeable health effects.
Researchers at NASA find evidence of ozone-destroying chlorine peroxide in the stratosphere over Polar Regions. The molecule triggers destruction when absorbing sunlight, breaking down ozone and forming again through a continuous cycle.
A new study links high-voltage electromagnetic fields to the production of ozone in the air surrounding animals, potentially posing a health risk. The researchers found that rats exposed to corona discharge produced significantly higher levels of ozone than those without exposure.
Scientists say that replacing gasoline-fueled vehicles with cleaner diesel technology could lead to a significant increase in surface ozone levels, particularly in the Southeast. The study found that pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons also increased, highlighting the need for more effective pollution control measures.
A new method for improving trench profiles in the Bosch process has been developed, allowing for maximum depth-width ratios of over 30. This is achieved through two techniques: adding a third plasma pulse to remove polymer layer and optimizing passivation pulses to prevent polymer deposition.
Researchers detected ClOOCl in the polar stratosphere, triggering ozone destruction through three-step process. The discovery was made during a joint US-European science mission using NASA's ER-2 aircraft.
Scientists report that ozone standards set by EPA may be weaker than necessary due to overestimated background levels. Using a three-dimensional model of atmospheric chemistry, researchers found great variability in ozone depending on season, elevation, and geographic area.
A new study from the University of North Carolina Health Care found that exposure to ozone and endotoxin can make asthmatics more sensitive to house dust mites, worsening their symptoms. The research involved 14 participants with mild asthma who inhaled low levels of endotoxin, followed by an allergen challenge test.
The $5 million Student Nitric Oxide Explorer (SNOE) satellite, launched in 1998, measured nitric oxide in the upper atmosphere affecting Earth's ozone layer and X-rays from the sun. SNOE re-enters atmosphere in early Dec., with most of it expected to burn up.
Researchers detected 'atheronals', toxic compounds triggered by ozone in atherosclerotic plaques, suggesting a potential diagnostic marker for late-stage arterial inflammation. Ozone's role in human biology and its implications on diseases like lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis are also explored.
Researchers found that ozone reduces soil carbon formation, a key process for storing organic matter. The study suggests forests may be less effective at cleaning the air of excess carbon dioxide when ozone levels are high.
Researchers found that elevated ozone levels can reduce soil carbon formation, which is essential for forest health and climate regulation. The study's findings suggest that high ozone levels may hinder forests' ability to absorb excess carbon dioxide, threatening global efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers propose an international treaty to control air pollutants like ozone and aerosols, which can cause respiratory diseases. The treaty aims to unite countries in addressing short-term health risks while also reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
A team of UC scientists discovered a gene that controls the production of methyl halides in terrestrial plants, contributing to ozone destruction. The HOL gene, found in Arabidopsis and other plants, is likely a common trait among all terrestrial plants.
Researchers found that even low levels of ground-level ozone increase asthma symptoms in children with active asthma. A 50 ppb increase in ozone was associated with a 35% increase in wheezing and chest tightness among asthmatic children on maintenance medication.
The study finds that the decrease in atmospheric bromine is driven by a large decline in methyl bromide, which has more than offset increases from halons. Global industrial production of methyl bromide has declined due to restrictions on its use, contributing to a faster-than-expected recovery of stratospheric ozone.
The study improved forecast accuracy for a major winter snowstorm in Washington, D.C. and demonstrated the potential to enhance storm tracking and predict snowfall amounts.
A recent study suggests that rising ozone levels could lead to a significant loss of $21 million annually in US soybean production over the next 30 years. Researchers found that soybeans suffer from reduced photosynthesis and biomass, resulting in fewer seeds and pods, and decreased seed weight.
This study found that elevated tropospheric ozone concentrations inhibit photosynthesis in soybeans, leading to decreased growth and yield. The results suggest a potential annual loss of $21 million for the US soybean industry based on current production levels.
The ozone layer is showing signs of slowing down its destruction due to the global ban on chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), according to a new study. The research team found that ozone depletion in the upper stratosphere has slowed since 1997, but the trend is not reflected in the lower stratosphere.
Researchers found that lightning is the primary source of low-altitude ozone in the tropical Atlantic Ocean, defying previous expectations. The discovery was made using satellite data and computer models, which showed a significant increase in ozone levels near areas with intense lightning activity.
Researchers used satellite data and a computer model to study ozone formation, finding that lightning strikes in tropical Atlantic may be a major contributor. The study combined data from multiple NASA satellites and a Canadian computer model to make the surprising discovery.
A Cornell University study found city-grown air pollution, particularly ozone, hinders rural tree growth. Contrary to expectations, city trees outperformed their country counterparts in terms of biomass.
Researchers confirm that particulate air pollution and ozone react with pollutants over Lake Michigan, generating more toxic compounds. City residents may experience high concentrations of hazardous substances before they dissipate, increasing the risk of asthma attacks.
Researchers created diamond layers on steel by using a chromium nitride intermediate layer to prevent carbon penetration and graphite formation. The technique resulted in good-quality diamond layers on certain types of tool steel.
Researchers found that half of the ozone is lost through unknown mechanisms in summer, but absorbed by trees in winter. The study suggests that understanding natural processes is crucial for developing scientifically-based air quality management policy.
The study reveals that photochemical effects dominate the winter-to-spring ozone increase, while stratospheric sources account for a small fraction of the observed ozone. Local ozone production is found to be more significant than the amount delivered from aloft during late spring.
Researchers found that lightning creates significant amounts of nitrogen oxides and ozone in the free troposphere. The study showed that lightning is a major contributor to regional air chemistry, generating more oxidants that help clean up the atmosphere while also producing pollutants like ozone.