Articles tagged with Atmosphere
A new study reveals that the ocean was able to store more CO2 during the ice age than it can today. The team measured carbon isotope signatures in sea bed sediments and found that deep Pacific water has not been at the surface for over 2,000 years.
A new study estimates that US forest fires release about 30% of the nation's total mercury emissions, primarily affecting the environment and human health. The Southeast region emits the most mercury, followed by Alaska and California, highlighting the need for better protection measures.
A new report highlights the ongoing debate over climate change models, with scientists emphasizing the importance of understanding physical laws while acknowledging uncertainties. The Institute of Physics' report notes that while there is general consensus on climate causes, there is not unanimity among experts.
Researchers have identified human-induced changes in atmospheric moisture content using rigorous statistical methods. The study found that the atmosphere's water vapor content has increased by about 0.41 kg/m³ per decade since 1988, primarily due to human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.
The Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE) will measure the sun's ultraviolet radiation changes, causing outages in radio communications and affecting satellites. EVE will provide space weather forecasters with warnings of potential communications and navigation outages every ten seconds.
A UC-Riverside hydrologist will study the ecological impact of climate change on mountain lakes, focusing on atmospheric deposition of nutrients. The research aims to understand how nutrient enrichment affects lake productivity and ecology, with potential implications for regulatory agencies setting air quality standards.
Researchers explore 'tipping points' in agriculture, highlighting the need to understand regime shifts to sustain ecosystem functions. The symposium identifies potential tipping points related to water and agriculture that could have major global consequences.
Astronomers have detected water vapor in the atmosphere of HD 189733b, a gas giant 63 light-years away. The presence of water vapour suggests that the planet may have had liquid water on its surface at some point, increasing hopes for detecting life on other rocky planets.
A new study reveals two ancient CO2 pulses from the southern ocean around Antarctica, shedding light on Earth's CO2 cycles and their implications for climate change. The research tracked CO2 from the deep ocean to the upper ocean and atmosphere, providing insights into natural CO2 cycles and human-caused climate change.
Researchers at the University of Manchester used a laser scanning system to create a detailed 3D model of dinosaur tracks in Spain. The portable RIEGL LMS Z420i scanner allowed for rapid and high-resolution mapping of the fragile site, preserving important information on dinosaur locomotion.
Researchers have developed a method to achieve pressures up to a billion atmospheres, recreating conditions expected in the cores of supergiant planets. This breakthrough allows for the study of extreme chemistry and material properties, shedding light on the composition of Earth's mantle and rocky core.
A team of climate scientists will measure the influence of Greenland's atmosphere on Northern European weather, aiming to improve forecast accuracy. The research will also fill gaps in existing climate change models, enhancing long-term predictions.
A recent study by NASA tracked aerosol sources and their impact on climate, finding that black carbon from Southeast Asian residential sources contributes significantly to Arctic warming. The researchers also discovered that biomass-burning aerosols produce cooling effects in the atmosphere, which partially offset greenhouse gas emissi...
Tiny airborne dust particles from Africa's desert regions can alter surface and air temperatures globally, causing a 'teleconnection' effect. Researchers found that North African dust affects the Caspian Sea and central Asia while having a cooling effect on the region.
New research shows carbon dioxide emissions have accelerated by over 2.5% per year since the 2000s, despite global efforts to reduce emissions. The findings indicate that recent emission-reducing measures have had little impact on slowing down growth rates.
A recent study found that Iceland's Laki volcanic event significantly changed atmospheric circulations, causing unusual temperature and precipitation patterns that peaked in the summer of 1783. This resulted in record low river levels on the Nile River for up to a year due to reduced evaporation and increased temperatures.
Pollutants from Central American biomass burning influence air quality and climate in the United States, particularly visibility and surface air temperatures. The smoke plumes also trap aerosols in the lower atmosphere, worsening air quality.
A new study finds that human-caused increases in greenhouse gas concentrations are primarily responsible for rising ocean temperatures in key hurricane breeding grounds of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The research used 22 different computer models to show a strong link between warming sea surface temperatures and human activities.
A team of scientists at the University of California, Santa Barbara, has reported a massive methane blowout from the ocean floor, which may provide answers to historical global warming cycles and current climate changes. The study found that nearly all the methane was transported to the atmosphere during the blowout.
New research suggests that tiny airborne particles, known as aerosols, have a significant impact on cloud formation and can lead to both cooling and warming effects. The study found that aerosol concentration is linked to cloud cover in all locations and seasons, challenging the idea that meteorological factors are the main influence.
Scientists discovered ancient plant life in core samples from the Arctic Ocean, revealing that sea surface temperatures reached 23°C during the Paleocene Eocene Thermal Maximum, a period similar to current global warming. The findings suggest that carbon dioxide levels played a crucial role in past and present climate changes.
A study found a 3.5% slowdown in the Walker circulation, which drives trade winds and ocean currents. This could lead to a decrease in wind-forced ocean flow by up to 20% by 2100, impacting marine life and fishing regions.
A new study reveals a 3.5% weakening of the Walker circulation since the mid-1800s, with potential for another 10% reduction by 2100 due to human activities. The slowdown may intensify and impact El Niño events and marine productivity in tropical oceans.
A new study uses ancient and modern climate records to estimate the impact of carbon dioxide on global temperatures, suggesting a 90% probability of a 1.5-6.2°C increase, with a reduced likelihood of exceeding 4.5°C.
Researchers analyze sulfur isotopes in rocks to track oxygen levels, revealing a raucous period of intense volcanic activity that pushed the atmosphere towards an oxygen-rich state. This breakthrough provides new insights into the emergence of oxygen on Earth and its impact on climate.
A Purdue University researcher has developed a more accurate weather prediction model by incorporating the amount of moisture surface vegetation releases into the upper atmosphere. This new approach improved forecasts of storm intensity, location, and timing, leading to better severe weather predictions.
Researchers apply constructal theory to predict global climate characteristics, including average wind speed and temperature differences. The findings challenge previous understanding of factors driving climate patterns and may aid in predicting environmental changes.
A team of astronomers used a rare stellar occultation to determine Charon's radius with great accuracy, finding it to be 603.6 km. They also set an upper limit on the existence and pressure of Charon's atmosphere, suggesting it is likely icy with little or no nitrogen.
The DOE's Atmospheric Radiation Measurement program has deployed its mobile facility in Niger to study the impact of aerosols and deep convection on climate. The facility will measure cloud properties, solar and thermal radiation, and meteorological conditions.
The Huygens probe has revealed that Titan's surface is a barren, 'river' landscape where water ice congeals like stone. Methane plays a similar role to water on Earth, existing in solid, liquid, and gas states. The dense atmosphere has conditions similar to those early in our solar system.
Clouds play a crucial role in shaping weather forecasts and longer-term climate predictions due to their patterns and formations. However, the issue of how to define a cloud remains unresolved as various satellite observations and instruments produce inconsistent results, leading to fuzzy measurements of planetary cloud cover.
A new study suggests a direct link between increased atmospheric greenhouse gases and global temperatures in tropical regions. The research analyzed fossil plankton shells from the equatorial Pacific and found evidence of past climate reconstruction supporting the attribution of temperature trends to greenhouse gas burdens.
A new study reveals that warmer oceans and atmosphere will cause more intense precipitation worldwide, especially in tropical regions. Heavier rain will fall in areas such as North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, while the Mediterranean and US Southwest may experience decreased average precipitation due to longer dry periods.
Researchers from UMD and NIST developed a new analytical tool based on thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) to study seasonal changes in sulfur particulate composition. The technique requires much smaller snow samples than standard analysis techniques, allowing for more precise measurements of sulfur isotopes.
Researchers found sea surface height to be a reliable indicator of long-term climate cycles like El Niño. A hydrophone-based system could potentially detect tsunamis by analyzing pressure fluctuations. However, the lack of comprehensive glacier inventories limits understanding of sea level rise connections.
Climate models predict a rapid increase in global temperatures and sea level rise of up to 30cm, with severe consequences for agriculture, ecosystems, and extreme weather events. The study also highlights the impact of human activity on the climate, fuelling global warming.
Scientists found evidence of rapid climatic change and massive burial of dead organic matter in ancient sediments. This variability led to oxygen-depleted deep ocean conditions and extreme climate fluctuations on land.
Researchers have developed a new method to detect Earth-like planets by analyzing the chemistry of silicate vapor and steam-rich atmospheres. The approach uses thermochemical equilibrium calculations to identify the presence of silicon monoxide gas, which is expected to be distinct at high temperatures during the planet's formation.
Researchers used the Community Climate System Model (CCSM) to study the Permian extinction event, which saw 90-95% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial species die. The model found that warming ocean waters at higher latitudes due to rising CO2 levels led to a stratified ocean with little oxygen, making it deadly for marine life.
A study by Yale University and NOAA finds that direct sunlight affects weather balloon temperature probes, leading to discrepancies in global warming estimates. This correction reveals an increase of 0.2 degrees Celsius per decade in average global temperature over the last thirty years.
According to a survey of 180 Ph.D. recipients in Earth and space sciences, the vast majority (87%) found work in their field, earning commensurate or slightly higher salaries than in 2001 and 2002. Most graduates were employed in academia, with positive attitudes towards their employment situation and challenging yet relevant work.
The MIT-Williams team successfully observed the occultation of a star by Charon, Pluto's moon, using multiple telescopes in Chile. The data will help determine Charon's radius and whether it has an atmosphere, with implications for understanding the moon's composition and potential habitability.
Researchers discovered a stable state in the ocean-atmosphere system that is dramatically different from today's, contradicting previous studies. This finding suggests the Earth's system functioned differently in the past, and highlights the need for improved climate models to reproduce various climate states.
Climate expert Kevin Trenberth warns that hurricanes will intensify due to global warming, fueled by rising ocean temperatures and increased atmospheric water vapor. This may lead to heavier rains and an increased risk of flooding at landfall, particularly in the US coastline.
According to a new study published in Science, the Earth's surface has been getting brighter for more than a decade, with an increase of about 4% over the past decade. This trend may accelerate warming at the surface and unmask the full effect of greenhouse warming.
A Bonn study calculates that greenhouse gases are responsible for just under half of global warming since 1880, with natural factors accounting for the remaining half. The researchers used 30 different climate models to reach this conclusion, which they believe will continue to worsen even after the Kyoto Protocol is implemented.
Researchers resolve global atmospheric circulation and cumulus convection issues using new modeling approaches. Volcanologists examine relationships between magma movement and fault orientation to better understand earthquake locations. Coral analysis reveals correlation between Indian Ocean sea surface temperature changes and El Nino ...
Researchers analyzed satellite data from four years of MISR observations to find a concentrated pool of particles over Bihar, largely due to inefficient biofuel burning. The pollution affects human health and local climate, with altered temperature and precipitation patterns.
The ARM Mobile Facility is a moveable, atmospheric-measuring suite designed to withstand temperatures from minus-40 to plus-120 degrees Fahrenheit. The station measures physical properties of air and heat radiating from clouds and the ground, providing critical information missing in climate models.
The Huygens probe will parachute onto Titan's surface on January 14, studying its thick atmosphere and clouds with six science experiments. DISR will take images of the surface for over two hours, creating panoramic views of the ground and horizon.
A NASA study reveals that planting trees on marginal agricultural lands can sequester significant amounts of carbon dioxide, potentially offsetting one-fifth of the US's annual fossil fuel emissions. Additionally, research suggests that insect outbreaks linked to droughts and heat waves may contribute to increased greenhouse gas levels.
A nuclear-powered space mission to Neptune, expected to launch between 2016 and 2018, aims to gather data on the planet's atmosphere and its largest moon Triton. The mission will employ electrical and optical sensors to study Neptune's atmospheric elemental ratios, gravity, and magnetic fields.
Phytoplankton distribution varies between hemispheres, with greater impact on climate in southern hemisphere due to higher DMS flux and species producing more DMS. The effect of plankton on Earth's temperature is small compared to other compounds like carbon dioxide and CFCs.
The new Keck images capture unusual weather phenomena on Uranus, including a big southern hemisphere storm feature that seesaws over 5 degrees of latitude. The complex cloud formations vary dramatically in size, brightness, and longevity, with some dissipating completely within a month.
Researchers recommend implementing a carbon tax to protect against long-term climate change, with the goal of buying 'insurance' against future adjustment costs. The study suggests that immediate action can be more cost-effective than waiting and acting later.
Scientists have discovered a distant planet using the transit technique and spectroscopy, revealing key findings about TrES-1's atmosphere and orbit. The discovery marks the first extrasolar planet found by a dedicated survey of thousands of relatively bright stars.
Scientists use satellites, computer models, and ground stations to study the unique aerosol laboratory created by desert dust, smoke, and man-made emissions. The UAE2 mission aims to improve computer climate models and predictions of climate behavior in response to changes in aerosol concentrations.
The NorthEast Aerosol eXperiment (NEAX) aims to evaluate the effects of aerosol pollutants on Earth's radiation balance and climate forcing. The researchers will conduct regional air-sampling flights from Latrobe Airport to study aerosol formation, growth, and distribution.
Researchers analyzed fossil records and found dinoflagellates in ancient sea, indicating a sudden cooling event. The team's discovery confirms climate models and suggests prolonged feedback effects kept ocean depths cold for centuries.
The Community Climate System Model version 3 (CCSM3) predicts higher global temperatures if societies continue to emit large quantities of carbon dioxide. With improved accuracy, CCSM3 will be used to study climate patterns and chemical processes, shedding light on the impacts of climate change.