Articles tagged with Soot
A study finds that almost 80% of soot pollution in East Asia comes from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels such as coal briquettes used in home cookstoves and automobile exhaust. The research identifies these sources as major contributors to air pollution responsible for 500,000 premature deaths annually in China.
A new analysis suggests that reducing only short-lived climate pollutants like soot and methane will have a smaller impact on limiting global warming. Focusing on all greenhouse gases is necessary to stabilize the climate system.
Measurements from the 2011 Las Conchas fire show that 'tar ball' effect significantly degrades air quality and contributes to global warming. The team found spherical carbonaceous particles called tar balls dominate emissions, which can increase climate warming by increased light absorption.
A new study questions the effectiveness of improved cookstoves in reducing air pollutants, particularly ultrafine particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs. The research found that while overall soot emissions are lower, these stoves still release three times more worrisome ultrafine particles than traditional open fires.
A new international study finds that black carbon, a byproduct of smoke and smog, contributes twice as much to global warming as previously estimated. The research suggests that controlling emissions can deliver more immediate climate benefits than reducing carbon dioxide.
A recent field study in California cities found black carbon absorption enhancements of just 6 percent, suggesting that climate models may be overestimating warming by black carbon. The researchers' findings highlight the complexity of airborne particles and challenge existing projections about their impact on global and regional climate.
The study found that diesel soot triggers a genetic detoxification mechanism in human lung cells but also contains toxic substances like carboxyl groups. The World Health Organization has reclassified diesel soot as a cause of lung cancer based on sufficient evidence.
Researchers found that a hypothetical nuclear war between India and Pakistan would greatly reduce staple crop yields, even in distant countries, with decreases of 10-40% and 2-20% respectively. The study used global climate models to calculate the climate impacts of such a conflict.
A new study reveals that over half of inhaled diesel soot particles remain in the body, penetrating deeper into the lungs. This finding has significant implications for public health and may lead to the establishment of guidelines for soot particle limits in outdoor air.
Researchers capture most detailed images of airborne soot particles, revealing surprising complexity and diversity. The study paves the way for understanding atmospheric processes and designing cleaner combustion sources.
Researchers at DESY and SLAC used the world's most powerful X-ray laser to capture images of single soot particles floating through a beam. The study found that the structure of soot determines how it scatters light, which is crucial for understanding climate models.
A new study suggests that reducing soot emissions from diesel engines and other sources could slow melting of sea ice in the Arctic faster and more economically than any other quick fix. Soot emissions are second only to carbon dioxide in promoting global warming, but their effects have been underestimated in previous climate models.
Soot on snow accelerates glacier melt, altering snowmelt and monsoon patterns in Asia. The Tibetan Plateau's surface temperature increased by over 2 degrees Fahrenheit due to soot on snow, leading to stronger monsoons.
Researchers discovered a relict coral reef in the southern Pacific Ocean that thrived thousands of years ago, providing insight into how reefs adapted to sea level changes. Additionally, heavy snowfall in the US and Europe was caused by the collision of El Niño and negative North Atlantic Oscillation weather patterns.
A new study by Mark Z. Jacobson suggests that reducing soot emissions is the best hope for saving Arctic sea ice within the next two decades. Soot contributes to global warming and kills over 1.5 million people prematurely, but eliminating it could reduce warming above parts of the Arctic Circle in just 15 years.
Researchers found that eliminating soot pollution from diesel engines and coal sources would provide the world with an additional eight years to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This study aimed to standardize estimates of soot's contribution to global warming, emphasizing the need for further research.
A team of researchers, led by Dr. Peter Sunderland, has created a double-flame burner to improve our understanding of soot formation and oxidation. This innovation aims to design cleaner and more efficient engines that reduce pollution and harm lung diseases.
Scientists from NASA and Chinese Academy of Sciences found that black carbon deposits contribute significantly to glacial retreat in the Tibetan region, rivaling greenhouse gas effects. The study suggests that reduced soot emissions are needed to avoid glacier demise and preserve seasonal fresh water supplies.
A new NASA study finds that soot and dust contribute as much to atmospheric warming in the Himalayas as greenhouse gases. The region's rapid glacier melting threatens fresh water resources for over a billion people.
Researchers at TUM have developed a probe to take samples directly from the combustion chamber while running, aiming to discover soot formation methods and develop new emissions control techniques. The engine produces barely measurable nitrogen oxides and soot particles per kilometer, surpassing Euro 6 Norm standards.
Researchers argue that short- and medium-lived pollutants like soot, ozone, and methane contribute significantly to near-term climate change. Experts recommend adopting aggressive reduction targets for these pollutants and establishing a new treaty framework.
Scientists have found that when sulfate and soot mix in the atmosphere, the sulfate shell enhances the absorption of light by coated soot particles. This mixing happens quickly and affects the role of soot in climate change, potentially leading to more warming.
Scientists from the POLARCAT campaign found that agricultural fires in Russia, Kazakhstan, China, and other countries are releasing large amounts of soot into the atmosphere, accelerating melting of snow and ice. This report highlights the importance of controlling these emissions as a supplemental strategy to reduce carbon dioxide.
Research highlights coral reefs' decline due to rising CO2 levels and ocean acidification. Ocean proximity also exacerbates ozone pollution in Houston by increasing reactive chlorine mass. New measurements reveal the impact of nitryl chloride on ozone formation, with significant increases observed.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon researchers found that particulate matter in downtown Pittsburgh is more affected by major sources to the city's southeast than previously thought. The most polluted days often occur when winds are from the southeast, increasing PM levels above the National Air Quality Standard.
A new study finds that soot on snow warms the snow and air by up to 1.2 degrees Fahrenheit, causing snowmelt weeks earlier in spring. This can lead to reduced water supply, aggravate winter flooding and summer droughts.
Researchers study drought patterns in northwestern Africa, finding a recent drought is consistent with climate model projections. Hail precipitation in China decreases by nearly half since the 1980s, likely due to rising freezing levels. New data reveals variable wind speeds on Venus, including strong vertical shear at low latitudes.
Researchers study aerosol particles, including soot, using advanced instruments to better understand their lifecycle and effects on climate. This knowledge is crucial for addressing climate change and related public health concerns.
Commercial shipping releases 130,000 metric tons of soot annually, with tugboats emitting nearly a gram per kilogram of fuel burned. The high levels are linked to low-quality fuel and poor engine maintenance, contributing to air quality issues near populous urban areas.
Researchers used Laser Induced Incandescence to investigate optimal engine conditions that reduce soot emission. Measurements revealed that neither engine load nor fuel injection system affected primary particle size, but other settings can improve combustion.
A new research published in Science magazine reveals a significant increase in black carbon in Arctic snow during the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to industrial pollution. The study, led by Drs. Joe McConnell and Ross Edwards, found that soot concentrations rose substantially, leading to changes in Arctic climate forcing.
Research at University of California - Irvine reveals that dirty snow can explain up to 19% of the Arctic warming attributed to greenhouse gases. Soot-infused snow absorbs sunlight and causes heating.
A small-scale nuclear conflict could produce as many direct fatalities as WWII and long-term climate disruptions, impacting nearly everyone on Earth. The scientists estimated fatality estimates ranging from 2.6 million to 16.7 million, and the environmental impacts could spread worldwide.
New measurements reveal that traditional cook stoves produce twice as much smoke particles as previously thought, leading to a significant impact on global climate change. The researchers found that these dark particles have a climate warming effect due to their ability to absorb solar energy and heat the atmosphere.
A follow-up study found that reducing fine particulate matter by one µg/m3 decreases death rates by three percent. This reduction is associated with a significant decrease in mortality rates, particularly in cities with the greatest reductions in air pollution.
A NASA study suggests that soot may be contributing to the changes observed near the North Pole, including accelerated sea ice and snow melting, as well as altering atmospheric temperatures. The research found that a significant portion of soot comes from South Asia, with smaller contributions from other regions.
Researchers have developed a system to detect landmines using sound waves, while also studying the water-absorbing properties of aged soot and its potential impact on climate models. Additionally, scientists have made new discoveries about natural lightning, including X-ray emissions during thunderstorms.
Researchers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory are presenting their work on using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) to detect carcinogens, study biomarkers for atherosclerosis, and develop novel drug delivery devices. AMS applications in biological research and soot production chemistry modeling will also be highlighted.
Researchers identify tar balls as a new form of carbon pollution that absorb sunlight and contribute to atmospheric heating. Unlike soot, which forms chains and clusters, tar balls are individual spheres without internal structure.
New research from NASA scientists suggests emissions of black soot alter the way sunlight reflects off snow, contributing to climate change. The study found that soot in areas with snow and ice may play a significant role in warming the world's climate, especially when it becomes more concentrated on melting surfaces.
Researchers have made detailed measurements showing that the smallest particles are the most toxic, easily flowing into the lungs and coating moist tissue. The findings raise concerns about current national air quality standards for particulate matter, which have been linked to 60,000 smog-related deaths in the US each year.
New NASA research reveals that soot particles in the atmosphere absorb twice as much sunlight as previously estimated, contributing significantly to global warming. The study's findings are based on analysis of global atmospheric measurements and computer models.
A NASA study suggests that black carbon particles are responsible for changes in precipitation patterns over China, leading to increased flooding in the south and droughts in the north. The study used climate computer models and aerosol data to analyze the effects of black carbon on hydrologic cycles in China and India.
A new report suggests that soot particles could have a significant impact on global warming, with potential policy implications. The study's findings introduce new uncertainty into climate models and shift responsibility for reducing pollution to developing nations like China and India.
A new soot filter for diesel engines has been developed, featuring a series of perforated ceramic foams that can absorb large quantities of ash before becoming blocked. The filter's design is based on studies of diesel particle structure and fractal geometry.
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.
Researchers found that over 12% of a sample must be covered in soot for people to accurately detect the difference between clean and dirty sheets. The study provides guidelines for determining when to clean and protect fine art from soot damage, helping museum designers preserve valuable collections.
Researchers found that office staff, drivers, and unloaders were exposed to similar levels of diesel exhaust due to poor ventilation. This challenges traditional risk assessments based on occupational groups, emphasizing the need for individual testing.
Koehler's project focuses on the adsorption of trace atmospheric gases on soot under simulated conditions. Her research aims to understand how soot derived from jet fuel affects the chemical balance of the atmosphere, with potential implications for sulfur dioxide conversion to sulfuric acid.