Researchers from the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research measured sugars from seawater in the upper atmosphere over Spitsbergen, revealing their role in cloud formation and Arctic climate. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the interactions leading to above-average warming in the Arctic.
The Ocean Science Centre Mindelo (OSCM) has been conducting aerosol remote sensing for five years, providing insights into Saharan dust and volcanic particles over the Atlantic. The measurements have revealed pronounced seasonal dust events and high variability in dust intensity.
Researchers have found that aerosols and clouds in polluted regions grow faster, leading to a slower rate of global warming in Asia and Africa. This is due to the increased hygroscopicity of particles in urban and populated areas, which can absorb more water vapor and influence cloud formation.
A study by Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research found that particulate matter concentrations depend heavily on height above ground level. Drone measurements supplemented with standard data improved air quality models and strategies to combat air pollution.
Researchers discover hydroperoxides form from α-keto acids in clouds, rain, and aerosol water when exposed to sunlight, influencing atmospheric hydrogen peroxide levels and particle formation. The study provides a new framework for understanding hydroperoxides' role in the atmosphere.
A new dual-field-of-view polarisation lidar technology allows for robust and accurate microphysical information on clouds, enabling scientists to investigate interactions between aerosols and clouds. The technology has been adopted by other groups worldwide and provides insights into climate development.
The HALO-South mission aims to investigate the interaction of clouds, aerosols, and radiation over the Southern Ocean. Researchers hope to provide important data for optimizing weather forecasts and climate models in the little-explored southern hemisphere.
Researchers will study atmospheric conditions in pristine New Zealand region, exploring effects of air pollution on cloud formation. The goal is to improve weather and climate forecasts for the Southern Hemisphere.
Prof. Andreas Macke receives the Elsevier van de Hulst Prize for Light Scattering, recognized for his work on ice crystal scattering properties and models. Dr Moritz Haarig wins the AS&T Young Scientist Award for outstanding presentation at the International Electromagnetic and Light Scattering Conference.
Researchers found that households using improved cookstoves experienced reduced indoor fine particle levels, decreased respiratory symptoms, and slower declines in lung function compared to traditional cooking methods. Cleaner cooking solutions may support broader adoption in Rwanda and similar settings.
Marine microorganisms produce sugar compounds that enter the atmosphere through sea spray, contributing to cloud and precipitation formation. These polysaccharides are found to be the most important ice nuclei in clean air over the oceans around Antarctica.
Researchers used fluorescence lidar technology to detect thin layers of smoke at high altitudes, originating from Canadian forest fires. This suggests the upper troposphere over Europe may be more polluted than previously assumed, with potential impacts on ice cloud formation and climate.
Researchers at TROPOS found new product channels in isoprene's oxidative degradation, which could influence atmospheric aerosol growth and secondary organic matter formation. The study suggests that highly oxidised isoprene peroxy radicals are formed globally every year, potentially playing a significant role in these processes.
A long-term study from Saxony shows a significant decrease in air pollution in Eastern Europe, with PM1 concentrations falling by 28% per year. The study's findings indicate improved air quality due to clean energy measures and lower emissions from transportation.
A new research group aims to enhance climate models by accounting for 3D cloud radiation transport, combining satellite data with high-resolution ground-based observations. The project involves a large field campaign in 2026 to record optical and microphysical cloud properties.
The ATLID atmospheric lidar is a state-of-the-art instrument that records detailed vertical profiles of aerosols and clouds in the atmosphere. The new data from EarthCARE's lidar will significantly advance our understanding of aerosols, clouds, and their interactions with climate change.
Researchers have gained insights into clouds in Antarctica using a new platform, discovering warm air intrusions and sulphate aerosol at high altitudes. The study, conducted over 12 months, was the first to investigate vertical distribution of aerosol particles and clouds above the German Neumayer Station III.
Researchers at TROPOS in Leipzig have demonstrated the existence of sulfurous acid (H2SO3) under atmospheric conditions for the first time. The compound was formed through a reaction between OH radicals and dimethyl sulfide, and its stability was shown to be sufficient for half a minute under experimental conditions.
Researchers from TU Braunschweig and TROPOS combined two airborne measurement systems to investigate small-scale air movements and aerosol particle formation. The study aims to improve understanding of Arctic climate change processes.
The new software enables accurate measurement of cloud properties from passive spectrometry, aerosol layers from lidar, and synergetic products from both instruments. This will improve knowledge of global radiative forcing and climate models.
The Aral Sea's disappearance has led to a significant increase in dust emissions, affecting air quality in Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. The study found that the dust can accelerate water crisis and exacerbate melting of glaciers.
Researchers from 14 countries gather to discuss dust's effects on global climate, infrastructure, and human health. The conference sheds light on dust's role in shaping local environments and its far-reaching consequences.
The new campus brings together expertise on atmospheric and biodiversity research to study interactions between the atmosphere and biosphere, particularly in the context of rapid climate change. Researchers will investigate effects of aerosol particles from vegetation on air quality, Earth's radiation balance and vegetation patterns.
Reducing air pollution to pre-pandemic levels can protect Himalayan glaciers and prevent melting by the end of the century. Clean energy and lower-emission modes of transport would bring significant benefits for sustainable water supplies and ecosystems in Asia.
A new study by researchers at Leipzig University and TROPOS found that biodiversity influences the emission of plant odours, which form aerosols in the atmosphere. The team measured BVOCs and BSOA compounds in plots with different tree species and found that species-rich forests emit less of these gases than monocultures.
The Arctic Amplification (AC)³ research network will continue its study of the phenomenon, which has observed a drastic increase in near-surface air temperatures in the Arctic. The researchers aim to make fundamental advances in understanding Arctic amplification and improve climate model predictions.
Researchers developed a simple linear formula to capture aerosol particles' hygroscopicity, which affects cloud formation and climate. The study used global measurements and model calculations, revealing that organic and inorganic materials determine aerosol hygroscopicity.
Research reveals that smoke from individual extreme forest fires can lead to global impacts, influencing the energy balance of the atmosphere and global climate. The study found a significant temperature increase in upper air layers and weakening of lower stratospheric circulation.
The Cabo Verde Atmospheric Observatory is expanding with a new laboratory building on São Vicente, thanks to €3 million in funding from the German government. The facility will enhance international climate research capabilities in the tropical Atlantic.
A global network of radiation sensors measured incoming sunlight at 60 locations in Oklahoma, providing important climate data for efficient use of weather satellites and photovoltaic systems. The campaign complements previous data sets and aims to improve short-term forecasts of sunlight for renewable energy.
Researchers at TROPOS have found a direct formation pathway of sulfuric acid from organic sulfur compounds, particularly important over pristine oceans and cloud edges. This new production pathway can contribute up to half of gaseous sulfuric acid formation over the oceans.
The Aeolus satellite is conducting a controlled reentry, involving extensive scientific experiments led by the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS). Key findings include tests on vertical winds and the ATLID lidar, which will be replicated on the EarthCARE satellite.
Researchers detect thin layers of Canadian wildfire smoke in German atmosphere, suggesting connections to cirrus clouds and potential impacts on climate. The study's findings highlight the urgent need for further investigation into aerosol effects on atmospheric radiation budget.
The COALA project aims to measure the relationships between aerosols and clouds in Antarctica's 'clean-air laboratory' using ground-based instruments. Long-term observations will help scientists better understand cloud formation, precipitation, and radiation budget in this region.
Researchers from Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research and European Space Agency use Loon project data to validate Aeolus satellite wind measurements, finding almost bias-free results. They recommend increasing vertical resolution for future wind satellites to improve accuracy.
A study led by Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research reveals that smoke from the Australian Black Summer wildfires spread across the southern hemisphere, warming upper atmosphere and cooling lower atmosphere. This has significant implications for climate modeling due to increasing wildfire frequency under climate change.
A study in Slovenia's Dinaric Alps found that wood burning in winter creates temperature inversions, trapping pollutants like soot and fine dust in valley bottoms. This can lead to high levels of particulate matter comparable to city centers, posing health risks.
Researchers from TROPOS, University of Copenhagen, and Caltech have successfully detected hydrotrioxides (ROOOH) under atmospheric conditions. The formation of these compounds has been estimated to occur through the oxidation of isoprene and other hydrocarbons, with potential implications for health and environmental studies.
New insights into cloud behavior in the southern hemisphere reveal a stronger influence of updrafts, resulting in liquid water droplets and altered radiation balance. This study, led by Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research, uses long-term measurements to improve climate models.
Researchers from TROPOS and partners developed innovative air quality models to predict solar radiation and PV output. The study found a clear gradient in solar energy across Germany, with aerosols dimming energy in the east compared to the west.
Researchers from TROPOS and Leipzig University are using a tethered balloon to study the Arctic air layers, which play a key role in climate change. The measurements aim to better understand the strong warming of the Arctic and improve climate models.
A large measurement campaign has started in the Atlantic, using a TROPOS lidar on Cabo Verde to study atmospheric conditions and support the ESA wind satellite Aeolus. The campaign aims to improve weather forecasts and understand cloud and aerosol behavior in the tropics.
A study by the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research found that soot particles from oil and wood heating systems as well as road traffic contribute significantly to air pollution in Europe. The researchers estimated that 48% of local soot emissions and 52% of long-distance soot emissions reached the measurement site.
The study used ground and satellite measurements to show that the forest fire aerosol disturbed the free troposphere over Leipzig, Germany, and attenuated sunlight by a third. The Aeolus satellite provided valuable data on aerosols in the atmosphere.
A research team at TROPOS and University of Helsinki has discovered that alkanes in fuels produce highly oxygenated compounds that can form organic aerosol and contribute to air pollution. The study uses state-of-the-art measurement technology to demonstrate an efficient autoxidation chain reaction for saturated hydrocarbons.
Researchers identified a severe drought period in 1302-07 Europe, which shares similarities with the 2018 weather anomaly and recent climate trends. The study suggests that transitional phases in the climate are characterized by stable weather patterns, contributing to extreme events like the Great Famine of 1315-21.
Researchers recommend measures to reduce SARS-CoV-2 aerosol dispersal, including regular ventilation, humidifiers to maintain relative humidity of 40-60%, and portable air purifiers. The risk is high due to infected & healthy people staying in the same room for long periods.
The Working committee particulate matter recommends concrete countermeasures for indoor areas to reduce COVID-19 transmission. These include window ventilation, exhaust ventilation, air purification systems, and increased N95/FFP2 mask use.
Researchers from TROPOS and Leipzig University contribute to the success of the largest Arctic expedition, collecting valuable climate data and conducting key atmospheric measurements. The team's findings suggest significant changes in the Arctic atmosphere, including increased smoke levels and signs of 'Pyrocene' effects.
A study by the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research recommends controlling indoor air humidity to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Low humidity can cause virus droplets to dry out faster, allowing them to travel further and be inhaled by healthy people.