Articles tagged with Atmosphere
A multi-institutional team finds that nitrogen insufficiency is a growing concern worldwide due to increased demand for nitrogen by plants and microbes. Declining nitrogen availability can slow plant growth and affect the food chain, while also constraining carbon storage and contributing to global warming.
Research by University of Washington reveals that ice shards in Southern Ocean clouds increase the amount of sunlight absorbed by the ocean's surface. The study found a significant impact on temperature, with differences of 10 Watts per square meter between models including and excluding ice formation.
Researchers used vertical sounding data to improve forecasting of Zonda windstorms, a severe weather phenomenon affecting Argentina's agricultural communities. By analyzing atmospheric profiles and applying principal component analysis, they achieved reliable forecasts with up to 24 hours of lead time.
A new study shows substantial increases in atmospheric thirst across the US Southwest, with warming temperatures accounting for 57% of the changes observed. The largest changes are centered over the Rio Grande region, where crops now require more water and can be expected to require even more in the future.
Perseverance mission has recorded the first ever sounds from Mars, showing that the planet is quiet due to low natural sound sources. The rover's microphone captured sounds within the human audible spectrum, including shock waves and helicopter flights.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have found that key parts of the global carbon cycle used to track movement of carbon dioxide in the environment are not correct. The estimate of how much carbon dioxide plants pull from the atmosphere is critical to accurately monitor and predict the amount of climate-changing gases in the atmosphere.
Scientists have found argon trapped in ice cores from Greenland and Antarctica, which can be used to reconstruct past climate changes and temperature shifts. The discovery could improve our understanding of the Earth's atmosphere and climate over hundreds of thousands of years.
A new study published in Ambio highlights the potential for tropical forests to provide food security in the face of a nuclear winter. Researchers identified 33 wild, edible plants and insects that could be cultivated or foraged in post-nuclear war conditions. These findings offer a new perspective on global food security and resilience.
Researchers observed rapid electron precipitation from low-Earth orbit using the ELFIN mission, which was caused by whistler waves affecting electrons in the Earth's magnetosphere. The findings demonstrate that whistler waves are responsible for far more electron rain than current theories and space weather models predict.
Researchers used climate models and observations to analyze Arctic temperature changes over the 20th century. They found that both natural and human activities contributed to the cooling from 1940 to 1970, with aerosol forcings being a primary factor.
A new global variable-resolution model helps meteorologists understand the hydrological cycle in the Tibetan Plateau, revealing complex topography's impact on moisture transport and precipitation. The study shows that resolving topography at a few kilometers improves precipitation simulations by 11%.
Scientists confirm a brief rise in CO2 emissions before the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), an abrupt global warming event. The study reveals unique insights into how Earth's current climate could respond to continued carbon emissions.
Scientists propose a new mechanism by which oxygen accumulated in the atmosphere, shifting the planet out of its low-oxygen equilibrium. Interactions between certain marine microbes and minerals in ocean sediments may have prevented oxygen consumption, setting off a self-amplifying process.
Scientists have discovered that the onset of microbial fertilizer factories on the Earth's seafloor roughly 2.6 billion years ago was a crucial step in the rise of oxygen levels during the Great Oxidation Event. This recycling process fueled photosynthetic bacteria, which increased oxygen production and paved the way for complex life t...
Researchers found that desert microbes produce nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in arid soils after rain, contradicting the long-held assumption that it comes from fertilized agricultural fields. The study reveals a new source of nitrogen pollution in deserts, driven by fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes.
A new study finds that large wild animals like elephants and whales can help restore ecosystems and battle climate change by dispersing seeds, clearing vegetation, and increasing albedo. Protecting these animals also supports local biodiversity and ecological resilience in temperate, tropical, and subtropical grassland ecosystems.
A new analysis reveals Caribbean coral reefs have warmed by 0.5 to 1°C in the past century, with projected further warming of 1.5°C by 2100. Marine heatwaves are also increasing in frequency and length, posing a significant threat to these ecosystems.
MIT engineers mapped airplane contrails over the US in 2020 and found a 20% drop in coverage compared to prepandemic years. The team's computer-vision technique can help predict where contrails form, allowing airlines to reroute planes and reduce aviation's climate impact.
A $763,930 NSF CAREER Award is supporting OU meteorologist Scott Salesky's project to improve cloud representation in weather and climate models. The research aims to better understand interactions between turbulence and clouds, with potential applications for predicting precipitation and understanding Earth's climate.
The study provides the first detailed view of an exoplanet's global atmosphere, revealing a water cycle that dwarfs Earth's jetstream. The planet's night side is home to iron clouds, titanium rain, and winds that whip around at speeds of up to 5 kilometers per second.
A new study by Imperial College London reveals that London is releasing more methane than previously thought, primarily due to natural gas infrastructure leaks. The findings suggest that upgrading leaky pipes could significantly reduce emissions. This research highlights the importance of atmospheric measurements in tracking progress t...
A new study suggests that wildfires can lead to increased soil carbon stocks in savannahs and grasslands, potentially offsetting short-term emissions. The research found that fires could store up to 90 million tonnes of carbon per year, but the breakdown rate of charcoal in soils remains uncertain.
Researchers at University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science found that marine snow particles help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, contributing to a more efficient carbon cycle. The discovery sheds light on how oxygen deficient zones play a crucial role in the Earth's carbon cycle.
A new Stanford University study reveals that using a 100-year timeframe underestimates methane's importance in achieving Paris Agreement climate goals by up to 87%. The researchers propose using a 24-year timeframe instead, which would ensure emissions of methane are weighted correctly over the time period before temperature thresholds...
A comprehensive 'vertical map' of airborne microorganisms has been created, showing that temperature is the single most important factor influencing their composition. As global temperatures rise, this could lead to significant changes in the air microbiome, affecting human health and food security.
Researchers recreated conditions expected in Mars' core billions of years ago and found that molten metal gave rise to a brief magnetic field. This led to the evaporation of water vapor and eventual loss of Martian oceans about 4 billion years ago.
A new study from Cornell University provides detailed models characterizing the frequency, intensity, and height of low-level jet streams over the U.S. Atlantic coastal zone. The research finds that low-level jets can occur up to 12% of the time in the late spring and early summer, potentially impacting wind turbine performance.
A new compression algorithm using deep learning enables accurate modeling of light scattering by non-spherical particles. The developed method reduces the file size to 20MB, making it 7000 times smaller than the original database.
Researchers found nanoparticles from human activities rapidly grow in atmosphere and influence cloud formation, affecting raindrop formation and changing rainfall regime. The study provides new insights into the impact of small aerosols on precipitation and improves climate change studies based on mathematical models.
Researchers use environmental DNA to monitor aquatic species near hydropower facilities, while also developing a novel method for printing full-strength steel components using additive manufacturing. These advancements could lead to more efficient and cost-effective monitoring and renewable energy production.
A new überreview provides a comprehensive introduction to solar resource assessment and forecasting, helping bridge the gap between atmospheric scientists and solar engineers. The review compiles recent studies on critical parameters like cloud and aerosol, aiming to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration for carbon neutrality.
Research reveals that intense storms in the Southern Ocean increase ocean mixing, bringing carbon dioxide-rich waters to the surface and driving an outgassing of CO2 into the atmosphere. This process has significant implications for understanding global climate models and predicting future climate change.
Researchers detected 43 trillion miniature plastic particles in Switzerland every year, with estimates suggesting up to 3,000 tonnes of nanoplastics covering the country annually. The study reveals that nanoplastics originate primarily from urban areas and global emissions, posing potential health risks when inhaled.
A new study by University of Helsinki researchers shows that boreal forests can mitigate climate change through aerosol formation and growth, influencing cloud properties and regional climate. The study found that aerosol particles produced by the forests alter cloud reflectivity, potentially cooling the climate.
The FUN-BioCROP model predicts effects of plant choice and agricultural management on soil carbon storage, slowing climate change. By using bioenergy from plants, less carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere, resulting in a more sustainable energy source.
A 25-30 percent increase in winter rainfall over the eastern Arabian Peninsula was found since 1981, with a decrease of about 10-20 percent in the south and northeast. This shift is linked to an El Niño pattern in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
A new study analyzing the rock record rules out atmospheric oxygen before the Great Oxygenation Event, potentially rewriting our understanding of Earth's past. The research team used high-resolution techniques to inspect specimens of the rock, finding evidence that chemical data suggesting early oxygen may have been introduced later.
A recent study by Dr. Henrik Svensmark and colleagues reveals a close connection between supernovae occurrence and the burial of organic matter in sediments on Earth. The correlation indicates that supernovae are essential for life's existence, with high nutrient concentrations leading to increased bioproductivity and oxygen production.
Scientists use a modified drone with a radiation shield to collect high-quality atmospheric data in polar regions. The study shows that the low-cost drone provides accurate data comparable to radiosondes, expanding the observational network and improving weather forecasts.
A recent study has discovered microplastic in the high-altitude air surrounding Pic du Midi Observatory, located in the Pyrenees mountains. The researchers analyzed 10,000 cubic meters of air and found a concentration of approximately one particle per 4 cubic meters. This finding indicates intercontinental atmospheric transport of micr...
Researchers link dwindling Arctic sea ice to worsening wildfires in the Western United States, finding a previously unknown mechanism driving the connection. As sea ice melts, it warms surrounding areas, triggering heat and fire-favorable conditions in distant states.
A new meteorological phenomenon dubbed 'atmospheric lakes' has been identified drifting slowly over the western Indian Ocean. These compact pools of moisture bring water to dry lowlands along East Africa's coastline, with the potential to create significant precipitation for millions of people.
Researchers have standardized black carbon measurements in the Arctic, improving our understanding of climate change. By correlating absorption coefficients with COSMOS measurements, they derived reliable conversion factors for various instruments, enabling more accurate climate modeling and air quality assessments.
Researchers have identified the source of mysterious STEVE light emissions as a narrow region in the magnetosphere, driven by strong waves and particle acceleration. The findings suggest that the ionosphere and magnetosphere may be coupled at lower latitudes, transporting vast quantities of energy and momentum.
The study found that climate change impacts are apparent in nearly all aspects of climate variability, including temperature extremes, precipitation patterns, and ecosystem changes. These changes have important implications for sustainable resource management and future adaptation strategies.
Researchers at WVU are creating control software for aerial robots to survey Venus' atmosphere, helping model the evolution of climate on Earth. The aerobots will use a hybrid airship design and energy-efficient paths to explore the planet's surface.
Climate scientists found that marine aerosols contribute to low-level ice-cloud formation over the Southern Ocean even under higher temperatures. This discovery will help reduce errors in numerical climate models and improve global climate understanding and predictions.
A new MIT study uses climate modeling to reconstruct global hurricane activity, finding a significant increase in North Atlantic hurricanes over the last 150 years. In contrast, global hurricane frequency remains unchanged. The study's findings suggest regional climate variations play a key role in shaping hurricane patterns.
The North American Monsoon originates from the interaction of mountain ranges with extratropical atmospheric circulation, deflecting the jet stream and generating a stationary wave. This unique case has implications for models forecasting heavy rainfall events brought by the monsoon.
Researchers at Texas A&M University developed a simulation tool to accurately assess the levels of specific marker compounds in organic aerosols. This helps government agencies monitor human-made sources of carbon-based pollutants and develop emission control measures for cleaner air.
Scientists from UCLA develop a do-it-yourself radiative cooler using household materials, achieving moderate to large temperature drops. The design's reproducibility and low cost make it an attractive standard for research settings.
The Department of Energy's Atmospheric Radiation Measurement mobile facility has relocated from Oliktok Point in Alaska to the southeastern United States. This move will allow for continued research on climate and weather models with a new fixed observatory at Utqiaġvik, formerly known as Barrow.
A UCLA-led study found that human-caused climate change is the main cause of increasing fire weather in the western United States. The study used artificial intelligence to analyze climate and fire data, estimating that 68% of the increase in vapor pressure deficit between 1979 and 2020 was likely due to human-induced global warming.
Researchers at Korea Maritime & Ocean University have discovered a novel compound, β-HQ clathrates, that can capture both carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere. The discovery provides valuable insights into the kinetics of trapping these greenhouse gases, which could lead to the development of new gas capture technologies.
Research found strong correlation between Arctic black carbon abundance and mid-latitude biomass burning, indicating models underestimate BC contribution from biomass burning by a factor of three. This has significant implications for Arctic warming and climate change.
Researchers used computer simulations to predict the presence of hydroxyl radicals, which clean pollutants from the atmosphere. The study showed that traditional models had widely varying forecasts due to uncertainties in gas emissions, and that better models can aid in combating climate change.
Researchers studied ozone depletion's impact on iodine concentrations in Antarctic ice cores, revealing a sharp reduction from 1975 to 2012. The decrease can be attributed to stratospheric ozone concentration loss, leading to increased UV radiation and altered geochemical cycles.
The University of Leeds research highlights the need for industry to adopt new technologies that can manufacture materials using renewable electricity. This is crucial to achieving net zero emissions targets by 2050, as current steel and aluminium manufacturing capacities pose a significant barrier to this goal.
A Brazilian study reveals that forest fires and wildfires modify the freezing process of cloud droplets, altering natural cloud functioning and potentially impacting precipitation. The research used a large dataset to show that aerosols emitted by fires can affect cloud formation in southern Amazonia during the rainy season.
A new study reveals that methane emissions from US cities are 2-10 times higher than recent estimates, with Boston's emissions being six times higher due to pipeline and end-use emitters. The research found that seasonal consumption-based emissions account for 56% of total natural gas emissions in Boston.