Articles tagged with Atmospheric Chemistry
Researchers at NCAR use satellite monitoring to quantify air quality impacts of increased copper and cobalt mining in Africa's Copperbelt. The study provides valuable information on the impact of mining operations on local air quality, enabling remote monitoring of increases and decreases in mining activities.
A University of Houston study found that most of Houston's ozone exceedance is due to transported pollutants from the central and northern US, while local photochemistry contributes to elevated ozone production. The research highlights the importance of reducing emissions at the Houston Ship Channel to mitigate future ozone pollution.
The University of Miami Rosenstiel School has upgraded its Barbados Atmospheric Chemistry Observatory to collect more accurate data on Saharan dust particles affecting the Caribbean region. The observatory now includes state-of-the-art instruments to study dust's impact on clouds, climate and air quality.
The State of the Climate report confirms record highs in greenhouse gas concentrations, global sea levels, and ocean heat content. Scientists from over 60 countries contributed to the annual review, providing a comprehensive update on Earth's climate indicators and notable weather events.
An international team of scientists has discovered a link between Earth's ancient atmosphere and the chemistry of its deep mantle. The study found that sediment recycling provided atmospheric access to the mantle, leading to increased oxidation of calc-alkaline magma and altering the composition of the continental crust.
Satellite data reveals an increase in nitrogen dioxide levels in remote forest areas of California, attributed to wildfires and soil emissions. The findings suggest a growing concern for air pollution in rural areas, highlighting the need for policy interventions.
Researchers discovered that aromatic molecules convert to aerosol particles through a fast reaction process, producing carcinogenic compounds. This finding bridges the gap between theory and observation, providing better understanding of urban environment chemistry.
A team of researchers has determined that microplastic particles are present in the marine atmosphere, even in remote parts of the world. The study found that different types of plastics, including polyester and polyethylene terephthalate, were detected in air samples collected from various sites along the Norwegian coast.
Researchers in China have developed a new theoretical framework to understand and predict air pollution, highlighting the complexity of coal combustion and vehicle exhaust interactions. The Air Pollution Complex is a holistic approach that considers multiple emission sources and chemical processes.
Scientists investigate how salt uptake affects polyester microdroplets' surface potential, turbidity, size, and internal water distribution. The results suggest that microdroplets can selectively partition salt cations, leading to differential coalescence.
A study led by University of Houston researchers found that the Texas Gulf Coast is polluted with high concentrations of sulfate, a major component of particulate matter. The pollution originates from anthropogenic shipping emissions and chemical processing, making it particularly hazardous to human health.
Researchers found that wood burning is the trigger for high particulate matter levels in New Delhi at night, producing a unique mixture of gases. These gases condense and form particles when temperatures drop, contributing to the city's notorious smog.
New research confirms that coastal water pollution transfers to the atmosphere in sea spray aerosol, contaminating air for people inland. Bacteria and chemicals from sewage-polluted Tijuana River are detected in ocean aerosols.
A study published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics found that phytoplankton productivity in the Southern Ocean contributes to dense clouds that reflect sunlight. The high density of water droplets in these clouds helps regulate global temperatures and precipitation patterns.
A new study reveals a significant increase in nocturnal production of nitrate radicals in China, which could exacerbate air pollution and pose a major health threat. The country's 'hot-spot' for nitrate radical production may worsen ozone and fine particulate pollution if emissions are not reduced.
Researchers found that high nitrogen monoxide emissions in cities lead to overestimation of ground-level ozone concentrations by up to 50 percent. The Leighton ratio, used in computer models, is flawed when nitrogen monoxide levels are high.
An international team has cracked the chemical code driving iodine particle formation, revealing its link to increased cloud cover and ozone layer depletion. The study suggests that iodine plays a catalytic role in atmospheric particle formation, contributing to global warming-related thinning of Arctic sea ice.
A study found atmospheric aerosol concentrations decreasing in Europe since 2000, but ground measurements and climate models show differing trends. The greatest differences were found in particle size, which affects cloud formation.
A study from Washington University in St. Louis found that amines used in herbicide formulations volatilize, releasing toxic particles into the atmosphere and affecting climate chemistry. The research highlights the importance of understanding amines' role in atmospheric pollution.
An international team found that more than 90% of fine aerosol particles detrimental to health and the climate originate from human-made sources. The study revealed high concentrations of nitrogen oxides, exceeding WHO guidelines, and linked air pollution to an annual excess mortality rate of 745 people per 100,000 in the region.
A recent study reveals that anthropogenic air pollution contributes significantly to poor air quality and climate change in the Middle East. The research found that hazardous fine particulate matter from human activities accounts for around 53% of aerosol visible optical depth, posing a significant health risk.
A new study shows that precipitation events decrease atmospheric aerosol concentrations, particularly sulphate, in boreal forest environments. The researchers found significant formation of sulphate mass in non-precipitating clouds, which can improve the accuracy of climate models estimating aerosol transport.
Scientists have found that complex terrain enhances secondary haze formation by blocking pollutants and accelerating chemical transformation. This leads to a positive feedback loop where thick haze aloft intensifies interactions between aerosols and the planetary boundary layer, exacerbating pollution in mountainous areas.
Researchers developed a new Integrated Ozone Depletion metric to measure ozone-destroying substance impacts on the ozone layer. The IOD considers emission strength, atmospheric duration, and ozone destruction, providing a straightforward tool for evaluating ozone layer protection measures.
A team of researchers, including atmospheric chemists from the University of Pennsylvania, identified a novel pathway for sulfur particle formation in Venus' atmosphere. This new understanding sheds light on the source of ultraviolet-absorbing emissions and offers cautionary notes for geoengineering efforts.
Researchers from Colorado State University have made direct observations of ice nucleating particles in the central Arctic, revealing strong seasonality and seasonal changes. These findings provide crucial insights into the effects of climate change on clouds and precipitation patterns.
Researchers found a correlation between Arctic ozone depletion and extreme weather events in the Northern Hemisphere. Simulations suggest that reduced ozone levels contribute to warmer temperatures and droughts in central Europe, while wet conditions prevail in polar regions.
A novel technique can rapidly detect chiral molecules in complex gas mixtures, identifying fake perfumes and damaged plants. This approach has vast potential for agriculture, quality control of perfumes, and monitoring plant health.
A new study published in Nature Communications found that life cannot explain the composition of Venus' atmosphere. The researchers used a combination of biochemistry and atmospheric chemistry to test the 'life in the clouds' hypothesis, but their results showed no evidence of chemical fingerprints from life forms on Venus.
Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have discovered a new class of highly reactive chemical compounds called hydrotrioxides. Formed during atmospheric decomposition of substances like isoprene and dimethyl sulfide, these compounds are stable enough to react with other atmospheric compounds.
Research at ETH Zurich found that light amplification accelerates photochemical processes in aerosols by two to three times, leading to changes in atmospheric properties. This effect must be considered in climate models to improve their accuracy.
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 field study in South Korea has provided valuable tests of photochemical models' ability to represent atmospheric chemistry, especially in polluted environments. The analysis of airborne measurements of hydroxyl radical and other chemical species showed agreement with model values when uncertainties are considered.
Researchers created a humidity sensor mimicking camel noses to detect moisture levels in industrial exhaust and human skin. The device responds to changes in skin perspiration and can even follow the path of a finger, suggesting a potential basis for touchless interfaces.
Scientists at the University of Missouri study photodissociation reactions on the quantum level, revealing strong quantum effects that challenge classical 'billiard-ball' models. The research could lead to a better understanding of atmospheric chemistry and develop new theoretical frameworks.
A recent study analyzing air bubbles preserved in Antarctic ice for up to 1.5 million years suggests that glacial erosion is likely responsible for the decline of atmospheric oxygen levels over the past 800,000 years.
Researchers found that exposure to six major air pollutants remains higher for racial and ethnic minorities than white Americans, regardless of income level. The study used models incorporating data from satellites and EPA monitoring stations to map pollution levels onto census demographic groups across the contiguous US.
Researchers found that vehicles accounted for 60-84% of total NH3 emissions in western Los Angeles, significantly higher than government estimates. This discovery suggests a substantial health impact from vehicle-related ammonia, which has been largely under-recognized and uncontrolled.
A new study suggests that atmospheric conditions in the stratosphere pose a challenge to generating sulfuric acid, a crucial component of a proposed geoengineering strategy to mitigate climate change. Researchers found that solar radiation causes HOSO2 to quickly photolyse, breaking it down into harmful sulfur dioxide, which may reduce...
UC San Diego researchers developed a computer model to understand how viruses travel through the air, shedding new light on airborne COVID-19 transmission. The model simulates aerosol behavior and helps explain why SARS-CoV-2 is highly transmissible through the air.
A NASA-led study tracks changes in atmospheric ammonia concentrations in Africa from 2008 to 2018, revealing rises and falls in ammonia emissions linked to agricultural activities. The research highlights the need for sustainable agriculture practices to mitigate the impact of growing populations on food security.
Researchers from York University found that COVID-19 lockdowns in India had less impact on air pollution than initially thought. The study revealed that local sources of emissions, such as vehicles and fuels, had less influence on air pollutant levels than regional emissions sources.
A new study reveals that consumption in G20 nations causes significant premature deaths worldwide, particularly among infants and elderly populations. The research estimates that the lifetime consumption of 28 people in G20 nations will result in one person's premature death.
The special issue covers observations of exoplanet geology, composition, atmosphere, and potential habitability. SwRI researchers Dr. Natalie Hinkel and Dr. Cayman Unterborn collaborated with Dr. Oliver Shorttle to create a diverse overview of exoplanets, making it accessible to a wide community of scientists.
Scientists have directly observed carbon-centered hydroperoxyalkyl radical (QOOH), a crucial intermediate product in climate change models and combustion engine design. The study's results improve understanding of oxidation reactions and their impact on atmospheric pollution.
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.
Researchers found a decline in pollutant concentrations worldwide during the 2020 lockdown, particularly in Central Europe. The study attributed these reductions to the lockdown's impact on sectors like road and air transport, but noted that weather conditions also played a significant role.
A new study incorporated water vapor isotope compositions into a general circulation model to improve forecast accuracy by several percentage points. The Isotope-incorporated Global Spectral Model (IsoGSM) demonstrated improved modeling of air temperature and specific humidity.
The Stoffenmanager and Advanced REACH Tool models have significant deficiencies in their use, affecting chemical safety assessments. The models are based on subjective parameter values and lack physical principles, leading to uncertainty in exposure values.
Researchers found that robots and vehicle automation account for a small percentage of greenhouse gas emissions, with delivery vehicle size and fuel source having larger impacts. A human-driven, battery-powered cargo van has the lowest per-package footprint among analyzed methods.
Research by Lancaster University has found elevated levels of toxic chemicals, known as 'forever' chemicals, in the Arctic Ocean. These chemicals, used in products like stain-proof uniforms and non-stick pans, can accumulate in sea ice due to long-range transport from the atmosphere.
Scientists at PSI analysed chemical compounds directly in aerosols and observed dissociation and release of gaseous formic acid. The findings will improve understanding of global processes involved in cloud formation and air pollution.
Research from Harvard suggests that reducing formaldehyde emissions could be more effective at reducing extreme wintertime haze than focusing solely on sulfur dioxide. Formaldehyde is formed by the reaction of SO2 with formaldehyde in clouds or fog droplets, and its sources are primarily vehicles and industrial facilities.
The ozone layer has continued to decline in the lower stratosphere, contrary to expectations that it would have recovered by the middle of the century. Satellite measurements show a decrease in ozone concentrations at latitudes between 60° S and 60° N since the Montreal Protocol banned ozone-depleting substances in 1989.
Researchers measured urban nonmethane volatile organic compound flux, finding oxygenated compounds account for a significant portion of unaccounted emissions. Current atmospheric chemistry and climate models may underestimate global anthropogenic NMVOC emissions due to this unexpected large proportion.
A new study published in Nature found that Earth's ancient upper atmosphere contained about the same amount of oxygen as today, with a methane haze layer separating the oxygen-rich upper layer from the lower, oxygen-starved atmosphere. This challenges the accepted view that Earth's ancient atmosphere was oxygen-poor.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have discovered ethylenedione, a diradical molecule that was previously thought to be elusive. The discovery has significant implications for understanding radical molecular species, industrial processes, and potentially even atmospheric chemistry and climate modeling.
James Brogan, a double major in physics and chemistry, has been awarded a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship for his research on aerosol behavior and its effects on human health. He plans to combine physics and medicine to advance techniques in medical physics.
Researchers detect human fingerprint of industrial pollutants in Borneo rainforest, revealing impact on ozone layer and forest health. Air pollution from East Asia affects air quality in equatorial Southeast Asia, introducing chemicals to the stratosphere.
Researchers have discovered disturbing climate trends near Earth's surface, highlighting the impact of aerosols on cloud formation and human health. The study, led by Kimberly Prather and Vicki Grassian, aims to improve our understanding of aerosol chemistry and its effects on the environment.