Researchers used a statistical method to remove weather influences from air pollution data in Saxony, finding that traffic density is the most important factor. Adjusted for weather, NOx concentrations decreased by an average of 10 micrograms per cubic meter between 2015 and 2018.
The tuberculosis pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis can survive for a longer period of time when combined with other bacteria in the air. This is because larger aerosol particles from mycobacterial clusters are produced together with components of dead cells, making them more viable in the air.
A long-term study found that residents' daily activities, such as cooking and heating, significantly impact indoor ultrafine particle concentrations. The study, conducted in German apartments, showed that indoor activities account for most ultrafine particles, with outdoor air pollution playing a lesser role.
A multi-wavelength lidar provides data on fine dust in the central Arctic during polar night, revealing several layers of dust from human sources and forest fires. The data indicate that the upper atmosphere is more polluted in winter than previously assumed.
A team of researchers from TROPOS and Universities in Germany, Austria, and Finland have discovered a new reaction pathway for dimethyl sulfide, challenging current knowledge on its degradation. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of the Earth's sulfur cycle and climate modeling.
Researchers from Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research found that vertical air motions increase ice formation in mixed-phase clouds. This correlation has important implications for understanding the water cycle and predicting precipitation.
A new research project, Clean Air for a Sustainable Future, aims to develop a concept to achieve significant reduction in soot concentration. The project brings together environmental, social, and health scientists with NGOs, politicians, and affected citizens to find solutions.
An international research team reconstructed ice nucleating particles from ice cores for the first time, providing insights into cloud cover in the Arctic over the last 500 years. The measurements could help close gaps in knowledge on climate research and inform future climate changes.
Dr. Wiebke Frey is using wind tunnel experiments and model simulations to investigate mixing processes at cloud edges, which affect cloud lifetime and climate sensitivity estimates. Her goal is to develop a reliable formulation for understanding entrainment, a key process in climate modeling.
Researchers from Leipzig's TROPOS Institute are part of a Spanish Antarctic expedition investigating the influence of sugar compounds on cloud formation above the ocean. The team aims to understand feedback mechanisms that influence climate change, with implications for ecosystems in polar regions.
Scientists from Leipzig Institute for Meteorology and TROPOS conduct a field experiment to understand the relationship between aerosol particles, clouds, and precipitation. They observe the atmosphere at Punta Arenas, a region with minimal pollution, to gather data on cloud formation and life cycle.
A recent study by an international team of researchers found that soot from road traffic in emerging countries can reach high altitudes and contribute to global warming. The reduction of pollutants from diesel cars has a positive impact on both human health and climate protection.
Scientists use mini-airplanes to study particle formation in the atmosphere, which can influence climate change. The measurements reveal different scenarios leading to the formation of new particles in various air layers.
Researchers from TROPOS and universities of Innsbruck and Helsinki observe rapid pair production in laboratory experiments, indicating significant formation of non-volatile accretion products. This discovery is crucial for understanding the climate impact of secondary organic aerosol.
The Low Emission Zone in Leipzig has significantly reduced the concentration of black carbon and ultrafine particles, which are believed to be most dangerous due to their carcinogenic trace compounds. The reduction of these particles resulted in a significant improvement of air quality and a reduced health risk for the population.
Researchers have discovered that the Sahara's dust supply fluctuated in millennial-scale phases during the decline of the African Humid Period. The study suggests that Saharan dust phases may reflect aridity at a trans-Saharan scale, with implications for vegetation cover and wildlife.
Scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research have published a comprehensive study revealing that current climate models overestimate the impact of dimethyl sulfide on oceanic clouds. The study found that aqueous-phase chemistry significantly reduces sulfur dioxide emissions, contradicting earlier projections.
The German Research Foundation supports a new Transregional Collaborative Research Centre TR 172 'Arctic climate change' with up to two additional funding periods. The project aims to investigate the causes of the above-average warming in the Arctic and improve the accuracy of climate models.
A recent study by Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research and Institute of Catalysis and Environment in Lyon reveals that oceans produce significantly more isoprene, a gas formed by both vegetation and oceans. This finding suggests that the climate models need to be improved to accurately predict temperature and precipitation changes.
The EU has invested €9.5 million in the Aerosols, Clouds, and Trace gases Research Infrastructure (ACTRIS-2), expanding its network of ground-based observatories to study aerosols, clouds, and trace gases. TROPOS coordinates remote sensing and operates a European Calibration Centre for Aerosol Physics in Leipzig.
A global scale study estimates the impact of forest-emitted compounds on cloud seeds and aerosol particles. The findings suggest that these compounds can increase condensing vapours, leading to cloud formation and influencing climate.
Scientists have detected extremely low-volatility organic compounds for the first time, contributing to aerosol formation that affects climate and air quality. The discovery may explain discrepancies between observations and theories about volatile organic compound conversion into atmospheric aerosol.
Scientists measure pollen's optical properties using laser technology, finding it can be a significant natural source of aerosol particles. The study reveals pollen's vertical distribution in the atmosphere, highlighting its impact on air quality and temperature.
The Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research advocates for tightening the Air Quality Directive to set better standards, improve air quality, and protect human health. Researchers recommend regulating pollutants like particulate matter, ground-level ozone, and benzo(a)pyrene to reduce the negative impacts of air pollution.