Articles tagged with Atmospheric Science
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.
Researchers at Cornell University have reevaluated earthquake models, discovering that fracture energy relates to how quakes stop rather than fault weakening. This breakthrough may help improve earthquake forecasting by understanding rupture styles and the role of seismic observations.
Researchers found that common houseplants like Peace lily, Corn plant, and fern arum can remove nitrogen dioxide from the atmosphere, reducing pollution levels. In a poorly ventilated office, five plants could reduce NO2 levels by up to 20%.
Researchers found a chemical link between wildfire smoke and ozone depletion, which may stall ozone recovery for years. The study discovered that the smoke from Australian wildfires in 2019-2020 depleted ozone by 1%, highlighting the potential impact of future, more frequent fires.
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.
A study published in Nature Geoscience found that consumption-related sulphate aerosols from developed and developing countries have comparable climate impacts, regardless of region. The research clarifies the significance of consumption activities on global temperature and precipitation.
A new study found that Amazonian forests are impacted by high maximum temperatures, causing tall trees to shed their leaves and branches. The study, led by the University of Helsinki, used LiDAR to track the effects of fragmentation and climate change on plant phenology.
The MOSAiC expedition provides the first complete picture of climate processes in the central Arctic, warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet. Researchers analyzed environmental parameters over a full annual cycle, finding more dynamic and faster drifting pack ice than expected.
The Congo Basin's tropical forest is a unique greenhouse gas emitter, with low nitrous oxide emissions but high methane releases, particularly in swamp forests. Soils play a crucial role in converting nitrous oxide to harmless nitrogen, affecting the forest's overall climate gas balance.
Researchers discovered unexpectedly high concentrations of artificial radionuclides in cryoconite samples from the Blaisen Glacier, linked to Chernobyl and nuclear testing. The presence of organic matter from lemming populations may contribute to higher radioactivity levels.
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.
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.
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.
Recent in situ observations reveal direct conversion of water into hydrogen by atmospheric ions. Lower atmospheric gravity waves play a vital role in driving water transport to space.
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.
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.
Researchers found that during hothouse periods, Earth may have experienced cycles of dryness followed by massive rain storms. This unexpected atmospheric state sheds light on Earth's distant past and far-flung future, potentially helping to understand climates of exoplanets.
Researchers identified 'hotspots' for flash droughts globally, including regions with high agricultural production, and found that half of the contributing factor is a lack of rainfall and hot weather conditions. This study provides a foundation to build off and explore key questions regarding future trends of flash drought occurrence.
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 AP-PLAT website provides online tools such as ClimoCast, Climate Impact Viewer, and ClimoKit for climate projections, impact assessments, and capacity development. The platform aims to support regional climate change adaptation efforts in the Asia-Pacific region.
Environmental engineers at Duke University demonstrated that sharp contrasts in small landscape features refine local weather developments and influence climate trends. The study suggests that incorporating detailed data can improve forecast accuracy.
Researchers use Juno spacecraft data to characterize Jupiter's atmospheric vortices, including the GRS. The studies find that the storm extends deeper into the planet's atmosphere than expected, with possible connections to Jupiter's interior.
Scientists linked SOS data to grain prices in five African countries, increasing predictive power by up to 25% in some cases. The study's findings enable earlier forecasts of potential famine, with implications for humanitarian aid.
A team of researchers, led by Scott T. Salesky, will conduct field work in Antarctica to study the impact of katabatic winds on snow transport and ice sheet growth. The study aims to advance understanding of katabatic flows and their effects on regional and global atmospheric and oceanic circulations.
A new study has shown how climate change impacts the ecosystems of large lakes by varying their water layers' mixing through seasons. Mixing controls heat, oxygen, nutrients, and pollutants between layers, shaping ecosystems' adaptations.
A new proposed scheme has been developed to seamlessly detect cutoff lows and preexisting troughs in a consistent and integrated manner. The scheme uses an automated numerical approach to extract the locations, intensities, and sizes of these features from snapshot upper tropospheric weather map data.
Researchers at Aalto University created intricate shapes like letters by manipulating tiny metal balls with vibrating plates and energy fields. The smart algorithm efficiently guided the particles to achieve desired shapes, inspired by natural phenomena like wind and water.
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.
A new study using Argo system ocean temperature data refines climate modeling predictions by identifying models most consistent with observations. The analysis shows that land and air temperatures only tell part of the story, with oceans storing 90% of the planet's heat.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered the physical mechanism behind icy plumes that precede severe thunderstorms and potentially deadly tornadoes. The study reveals a hydraulic jump phenomenon triggered by fluid obstacles in the atmosphere, leading to rapid water vapor injection into the stratosphere.
Scientists have discovered a hydraulic jump mechanism that injects water vapor from the troposphere to the stratosphere above supercell thunderstorms. This process, which can occur several kilometers above the storm, drives intense hydration of the lower stratosphere and may play a major role in severe weather events.
A new study finds that rapid Arctic warming is driving extreme winter weather in the US, particularly intense snowfall events and anomalous cold snaps. The findings reveal a physical link between Arctic amplification and stratospheric polar vortex disruption, which are contributing to increased frequency of winter weather extremes.
Scientists discovered that volcanic arcs, including chains like the Andes and Cascades, played a crucial role in regulating atmospheric CO2 levels over the past 400 million years. This natural feedback mechanism helped maintain a stable climate, but recent human-driven emissions have disrupted this balance.
Researchers observed a 'warming bias' in the Earth's ancient history, with more warming events and greater temperature shifts than cooling events. The study suggests that a multiplier effect may kick back in as ice sheets disappear, leading to further amplification of human-induced global warming.
Research by University of Washington and US Forest Service scientists reveals a dramatic shift in nighttime air's drying power over the Western US, increasing wildfire activity. This shift is not captured in climate models, with some areas experiencing water loss doubling up on warmer nights.
A recent study found that greenhouse gases from human activity and warmer North Atlantic Ocean temperatures contributed to the Northeast's increased extreme precipitation since 1996. The research used global climate model simulations and statistical methods to isolate the causes of the increase.
A new study suggests that thawing permafrost in Siberia may release large amounts of methane gas from limestone formations, posing a significant threat to global warming. Elevated methane concentrations were detected in two areas with limestone bedrock, indicating that fracture systems in these formations became permeable upon warming.
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.
A new study published in Frontiers in Marine Science demonstrates that oil in the ocean can undergo photooxidation, a process that breaks down crude oil into persistent compounds. This process occurs within hours to days and reduces the effectiveness of chemical dispersants used to clean up spills.
A new study by University of Miami researchers found that mahi-mahi typically spawn at night, primarily during a new moon, at depths greater than they normally would. This knowledge can help manage the valuable fish population and understand the impacts of climate change on their reproduction.
The report reviews available tools and current understanding of the health status and trends of individual whales and the species. It concludes with recommendations for additional information needs and necessary management actions to enhance the health of individual right whales.
Researchers at the University of Miami have successfully cultured cells from coral and sea anemones for up to 12 days, opening new avenues for studying evolutionary biology and human health. The breakthrough uses antibiotic treatment to prime tissues before culture, allowing for longer and more robust cell cultures.
Researchers found a significant interdecadal decrease in extreme heat days over Northeast China from the 1980s to 2000s, driven by reduced variability of daily maximum temperature. The Silk Road and East Asian-Pacific teleconnections played a crucial role in modulating this change.
Researchers found abnormal growth and increased neuroinflammation in the brains of animals exposed to air pollution, suggesting a potential risk for changes in developing brain relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders. The study used rodent models to mimic real-time exposure to traffic-related air pollution.
Atmospheric chemists are cataloging compounds in indoor air, which can react with others to form new molecules. Indoor emissions come from various sources, including stoves, cleaning products, and people's breath, skin, and personal care products.
A new study found that North Atlantic haddock larvae use a magnetic compass to navigate the ocean, orienting towards the northwest. This discovery suggests that the larvae are equipped with an innate ability to detect and respond to the Earth's magnetic field.
Scientists at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory found that plasmoids can alter turbulent energy spectrum in conducting fluids, creating localized intense electric current sheets. This process influences how heat flows through the sun and other astrophysical objects.
Scientists have found a simple way to detect air pollutants like sulfur dioxide in real time by analyzing changes in moss leaves. Moss can regenerate its chemical sensing capacity, making it a sustainable natural plant sensor for rapidly alerting authorities to potential dangers.
Michael Mann, a leading climate scientist, has been recognized with the AAAS Public Engagement with Science Award for his extensive outreach efforts to communicate the science of climate change. He has collaborated on children's books, testified before Congress, and used various media to share his research.
Michael Mann, a world leader in climate science, has been awarded the Stephen H. Schneider Award for Outstanding Climate Science Communications. The award recognizes his work on reconstructing global temperature variations over the past two millennia and its significance in understanding human-caused warming.
The MAVEN mission collected data from a close approach to Martian moon Phobos, providing spectral images of the moon's surface. The observations will help scientists understand the moon's origin, comparing it to asteroids and meteorites.
Rana A. Fine, a professor at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School, has been selected as a Fellow of the Oceanography Society for her significant contributions to understanding ocean circulation and ventilation. Her research spans scales from local to global, covering various latitudes and ocean depths.
The Provasoli-Guillard National Center for Marine Algae and Macrobiota (NCMA) is developing a three-year training program to train the next generation of taxonomic experts in identifying harmful marine algae. This initiative, funded by NOAA, aims to rebuild expertise critical to managing HABs in US coastal regions.
Using advanced flow cytometry, University of Alberta scientists rapidly detect outbreaks of potentially toxic cyanobacteria, providing timely information to the public and notifying health officials. This helps prevent human health risks from toxic blue-green algae in lakes throughout Alberta.
Researchers found US-based scientists are underrepresented in studies on innate variation's role in athletic performance due to lack of government funding and ideological opposition. This gap affects the scientific study of sport and its biological and environmental correlates.
On January 28, 2014, NASA's Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) witnessed a strong solar flare, emitting x-rays and light into space. The IRIS mission offers unprecedented resolution to study the sun's lower atmosphere, providing valuable insights into solar flares.
A recent review of research reveals that declining Arctic sea ice is leading to the greening of coastal areas, altering marine and terrestrial food chains. The study finds that changes in sea-ice cover are affecting animal migration patterns and plant growth, with some areas showing cooling trends and declines in vegetation productivity.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that winter flounder populations in Long Island's bays are experiencing severe inbreeding due to low effective numbers of breeders. This has significant implications for fisheries management and the long-term survival of these marine fish.
Scientists have detected helium in the tenuous atmosphere surrounding the Moon using NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spectrometer. The discovery complements earlier measurements and raises questions about the helium's origin, with possibilities including radioactive decay or an exterior source like the solar wind.