A team of scientists led by Veronica Vaida investigated how visible light breaks down sulfuric acid molecules, revealing a new mechanism for the formation of the Junge layer. This discovery allows researchers to predict sulfate layer formation and model chemical properties of the Earth's atmosphere.
Manzer has led the development of commercially viable replacements for CFCs, including HFC 134A in automobile air conditioners. He also designed catalysts that can make polycarbonate without generating another ozone-depleting compound as a byproduct.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have found that the human body produces ozone as part of a mechanism to protect itself from bacteria and fungi. The discovery suggests a new role for neutrophils and antibodies in the immune system, potentially leading to new treatments for inflammatory diseases.
A University of California, Irvine study found that sea-salt chlorine reactions can raise ozone levels by up to 10% in Southern California smog. This could lead to increased pollution in coastal regions, with predicted ozone levels exceeding national standards on certain days.
Researchers at Purdue University found that ozone can effectively kill insects in grain storage facilities without damaging food quality or the environment. The gas has a short half-life and low dosage is used to eliminate bugs, reducing the risk of mycotoxins and potential food-borne diseases.
A CU-Boulder study suggests that elevated CO2 concentrations in agriforests can reduce isoprene emissions, a key contributor to ground-based ozone pollution. This finding could have significant implications for mitigating regional ozone pollution and enhancing climate mitigation strategies.
A new study reveals that mercury in California rainwater originates from industrial emissions in Asia, particularly coal combustion and ozone production. High concentrations of mercury were found in coastal and inland sites, with urban smog influencing the oxidation rate.
Large planetary waves in the atmosphere led to a smaller Antarctic ozone hole in 2002. However, scientists emphasize that these weather patterns do not indicate the ozone layer is recovering and may return to previous sizes next year.
The US government has signed a bill to curb the introduction of unwanted aquatic organisms in ballast water. A template for national wetland restoration efforts is also being promoted, following Oregon's success in saving native salmon runs. Ozone treatment and biocide methods are being explored as cost-effective solutions.
The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) has recorded the Sun's influence on ozone and atmospheric gases over an 11-year solar cycle. The complete dataset provides key measurements toward understanding natural and man-made influences on ozone.
Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute report that antibodies can kill bacteria through the production of hydrogen peroxide, which also leads to the formation of ozone. This discovery opens up possibilities for new antibody-mediated therapies for conditions ranging from bacterial and viral infections to cancer.
Scientists at Michigan State University have identified a new bacterium that can break down the toxic chemical TCA, which contaminates groundwater and erodes the ozone layer. The discovery holds promise for cleaning up contaminated sites in the US, as the microbe can convert TCA into less toxic substances.
Michael Prather, a leading researcher on atmospheric greenhouse gases and global climate change, has been appointed as the first holder of the new chair. His work aims to predict and understand changes in the atmosphere caused by human activities and natural factors.
A study by Arlene M. Fiore and colleagues suggests that reducing manmade methane emissions could have a greater impact on global ozone levels than reducing nitrogen oxide emissions. This reduction in methane would also help decrease greenhouse warming and surface air pollution.
The Antarctic ozone hole is smaller than usual this September due to unusual stratospheric weather patterns. The researchers warn that a single year's pattern does not make a long-term trend, and the data are not conclusive that the ozone layer is recovering.
Researchers studying isoprene emissions from oak trees in Houston have found that these reactions can lead to increased ozone production and ground-level air pollution. The study aims to understand the critical steps in this process to mitigate environmental damage.
Scientists found that climate change from greenhouse gases may greatly slow ozone recovery due to increased water vapor and temperature changes in the upper atmosphere. Ozone levels are expected to reach their lowest point by around 2006, according to NASA research.
Researchers from Brookhaven National Laboratory found that high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the Houston Ship Channel region contribute to excessive ozone production. The study's findings may lead to more effective regulations for protecting public health.
NASA's SHADOZ project has solved a decade-old mystery about the source of Atlantic ozone, revealing a 'wave-one pattern' that is predominantly in the troposphere. The data also show that the tropical tropopause is not a sharp boundary but a 2-mile thick transition layer.
Research found that a warm polar winter made it easier for ozone to accumulate in the Arctic stratosphere, as warmer air prevented the formation of polar stratospheric clouds. This prevented the breakdown of ozone molecules, leading to higher levels of ozone in the lower stratosphere.
Researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder have found that ozone-gobbling chlorine free radicals produced by CFC breakdown are more concentrated at high latitudes than previously believed. This discovery has significant implications for understanding ozone trends and their connection to climate change.
Jawahar C. Parekh, a New Jersey researcher, has developed an ozone-safe antiperspirant that provides better protection at lower application levels and has a longer shelf life. The new propellant reduces the formation of hazardous air pollutants when reacting with the antiperspirant's active ingredient.
New ice core samples reveal human activities account for approximately 25% of modern carbonyl sulfide in the atmosphere. Researchers can now develop a baseline to measure the effect of human activity on atmospheric carbonyl sulfide and sulfate aerosols.
Researchers at USC found a significant correlation between decreased sperm count and motility and increased ozone levels in the air, especially in Southern California. The study analyzed over 8,000 sperm samples from men in Los Angeles and Northern California and suggests that air pollution may be affecting male fertility.
A new ozone-monitoring technology, NEXLASER, is being developed to improve smog forecasting by providing continuous and affordable data in real-time. This innovation uses light detection and ranging (LIDAR) technology to track ozone concentration, enabling researchers to better understand sources and sinks of air pollutants.
Scientists discover ozone reduces common spoilage bacteria in seafood processing facilities, extending shelf life. Researchers also study hurricane-resistant retrofits on damaged houses to reduce storm damage.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have identified organic nitrogen oxides, previously unknown pollutants, which play a crucial role in atmospheric chemistry. The team's advanced detector can monitor NO compounds continuously with unprecedented sensitivity, enabling better predictions of ozone formation and air pollution impact.
A 'volcanic ozone hole' is likely to occur over the Arctic within the next 30 years due to high volcanic activity coinciding with cold winters. This could lead to a significant increase in springtime ozone loss over the Arctic, threatening more populated areas.
Researchers found that tropical biomass burning is causing increased humidity in the stratosphere, contributing to milder winters in North America and Europe. The study suggests that higher humidity helps catalyze the destruction of the ozone layer.
Research suggests that air pollution from vehicle emissions may cause new cases of asthma in children who participate in team sports, especially in communities with high ozone levels. This is contrary to conventional wisdom that air pollution worsens existing asthma but does not trigger it.
A US study suggests that playing outdoor team sports in areas of high ozone concentration can increase the risk of developing asthma in children. The research found that children who played three or more sports in high-ozone environments were more than three times as likely to develop asthma compared to those who did not participate.
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory are testing the effectiveness of ozone technology to sterilize mail by delivering high concentrations of ozone through potato conveyor belts. Preliminary results indicate that a 60-minute exposure to high levels of ozone inactivates anthrax spores, providing a potential tool against terrorism.
A new NASA-funded study shows that global warming in recent decades has been caused by carbon dioxide, with other greenhouse gases including methane, tropospheric ozone, and black carbon. The growth of emissions has slowed over the past 20 years, primarily due to the phase-out of ozone-depleting gases.
A NASA study reveals that Zambia faces significant air quality challenges due to the transportation of pollutants across southern Africa. Ground-level ozone levels in Lusaka exceeded .90 parts per million during the day, posing serious health risks to local populations.
Research reveals antioxidant supplements can mitigate the negative effects of ozone gas on lung function. Additionally, tiny airborne particles are associated with increased risk of hospital admissions for heart disease among diabetics.
Researchers have created a nearly defect-free LB film using steric acid molecules, promising improvements in sensor devices and electrical switches. The breakthrough involves using cadmium ions to lock the molecules together, enabling a single layer without holes or irregularities.
Scientists from PNNL are conducting a multi-organization study to gather first-of-its-kind air chemistry data essential to effectively address regional air quality problems such as ozone and microscopic atmospheric particles. The study aims to capture the distribution, transport, and formation of these pollutants in the atmosphere.
A new study suggests that increased solar activity can lead to an increase in cloud cover over the United States, particularly during times of high solar maximum. The jet stream plays a crucial role in linking solar variability with cloudiness, precipitation, and storm formation in the US.
Penn State researchers studied silica layer formation on modified e-glass, discovering that it breaks up and repolymerizes during corrosion. Understanding this process could lead to stronger fibers and improved lung safety for people exposed to glass fibers.
The SoyFACE experiment is the first test of crop growth in the presence of both increased carbon dioxide and ozone. This summer, researchers will evaluate how soybeans respond to higher CO2 levels and ozone exposure on 40 acres with 24 experimental rings.
A nationwide study by Ohio State University found that ozone concentrations in US cities are primarily influenced by external factors such as construction and road intersections. The study revealed a positive correlation between public transportation use and reduced ozone levels, as well as the importance of preserving green space in d...
Purdue University researchers found that sea salt and sunlight interact to destroy ozone in the Arctic troposphere. The study suggests a naturally occurring process that may impact air quality in urban areas.
A Penn State researcher explains how atmospheric chemistry can alter the composition of air, affecting environmental quality, and how pollutants like acetone and formaldehyde contribute to ozone production. The study also explores the role of nitrogen oxide in complex chemical reactions that produce hydrogen oxides.
Researchers expect Arctic ozone layer recovery to be slower than expected due to unusually low stratospheric temperatures and increasing greenhouse gases. The phase out of chlorine-containing chlorofluorocarbons and halons has not slowed down ozone losses over the Arctic, with significant losses observed last spring.
Scientists have found that 'raining' electrons from Earth's magnetosphere destroy ozone in the upper atmosphere, creating a new aspect of natural ozone destruction. The degree of electron precipitation is directly related to the 11-year solar cycle.
The NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) Global Change Media Directory 2001 features over 343 scientists from 50 disciplines, including climate change, natural hazards, ozone, water resources, and global warming. The directory contains a list of experts with complete contact information.
For the first time, scientists have measured nitric acid trihydrate crystals (NAT crystals) in polar stratospheric clouds. These particles contain three molecules of water and one molecule of nitric acid and can exist in the atmosphere up to 7° above the ice point.
Research finds Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia cases clustered in San Francisco and Cincinnati zip code areas, highlighting epidemiologic features of the infection. Asthmatic children's susceptibility to ozone pollution is linked to low birthweight or prematurity, with boys showing a greater response.
A UC Irvine study found that rice paddies emit significant amounts of methyl halide gases, contributing to stratospheric ozone depletion. The study suggests that agricultural sources play a role in this atmospheric phenomenon, and highlights the importance of understanding natural sources of ozone-depleting gases.
Researchers at MIT found that urban air pollution will not have a big effect on global temperature change, with some regional effects possible. The study used a new method to couple urban air chemistry models with global climate models, allowing for more accurate predictions.
A national team of over 150 researchers will study air pollution in the Houston region, combining data from six research aircraft and 60 ground-based monitoring stations. The goal is to identify cost-effective ways to control pollutants and protect public health.
Ground-level ozone levels are high enough to reduce growth and yield of sensitive plants on Long Island, where important agriculture is located. White clover has been particularly affected, with a 24-27% reduction in growth rate.
High levels of ground-level ozone have been found to severely impact the growth of ozone-sensitive crops on Long Island, including spinach, grapes, pumpkins, watermelons, and tomatoes. This research highlights the urgent need for attention to be paid to ambient ozone levels in agricultural areas.
Researchers analyzed Precambrian sedimentary rocks to track the evolution of oxygen and ozone in the early atmosphere. The study found a 'profound change' in chemical reactions involving sulfur, indicating limited free oxygen and a global signature.
Researchers have discovered that ozone directly affects plant aging genes, accelerating leaf yellowing and growth retardation. The findings may lead to the development of ozone-resistant plant varieties, reducing agricultural losses estimated at $3 billion annually.
A significant decline in Arctic ozone was due to larger and longer-lived polar stratospheric clouds. The clouds' formation and persistence are influenced by greenhouse gases, which may delay the recovery of the Arctic ozone layer.
Researchers found that airborne sea salt particles undergo a chemical reaction in daylight to release chlorine molecules, which can influence ozone levels. This discovery suggests that sea salt particles may play a significant role in determining the levels of certain greenhouse gases and air pollutants in coastal urban areas.
The Arctic Oscillation is linked to warmer winters in Scandinavia and Siberia, stratospheric ozone layer thinning, and altered surface winds. This phenomenon could be part of human-induced climate change, according to researchers.
NASA scientists presented new findings on ozonesonde data, glaciers, Mars impact features, Landsat-7 mission performance, tropical landscapes, and more. The results include insights into ozone layer changes, ice stream movements, and buried impact basins on Mars.
Researchers found an ozone level of 85 parts per billion at 20,000 feet, exceeding the new U.S. EPA standard, and other pollutants like hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide were also detected. The high-pollution plume originated from East Asia and could pose health risks if it reaches ground level.