Articles tagged with Atmospheric Science
A new study finds that rising temperatures will increase harmful plant emissions and dust, leading to a 14% boost in air pollution. The degradation in future air quality from natural sources is predicted to be significant, with two-thirds of the pollution coming from plants.
The study finds that aquatic foods are rich in essential nutrients, potentially diminishing malnutrition and heart disease risks. Implementing blue food policies can also promote a more environmentally friendly and sustainable food system.
A new model investigates long-term temporal trends in synoptic-scale weather conditions favoring significant tornado occurrence over the central United States. The study suggests that specific weather patterns have contributed to increased tornado activity in this region.
A new study reveals that wildfire smoke interacts with local weather to create conditions that accelerate wildfire expansion and worsen air pollution. Short-term variations in humidity, wind speed, and precipitation drive extreme wildfires on the US West Coast and Southeastern Asia.
A recent study found that China's cleaner heating policies in northern cities, including Beijing and Tianjin, reduced premature deaths from air pollution by 23,000 in 2021 compared to 2015. The stricter policies led to a significant decrease in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations.
A new study reveals that EU consumers are 'exporting' negative environmental impacts to their Eastern European neighbours while keeping economic benefits within the EU. The bulk of environmental pressures and impacts associated with EU consumption are felt in countries outside the bloc, with uneven distribution of costs and benefits wi...
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.
The night sky has increased in brightness by 7-10% per year, equivalent to a doubling of its brightness in less than eight years. This rapid growth is outpacing satellite estimates and highlights the urgent need for awareness about artificial light at night.
A new Review analyzed ExxonMobil's internal climate modeling projections, comparing them to academic and government models. The findings suggest that the company accurately foresaw the threat of human-caused global warming, with its projections consistent with subsequent global warming trends.
A recent study from researchers across 63 institutions, including Argonne National Laboratory, evaluated the impacts of various drivers on energy exchange in the Arctic. They found that vegetation type is a primary predictor of how energy is exchanged during the Arctic summer.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have found that jet engine lubrication oils are a significant source of ultrafine particles. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and trigger inflammatory reactions, potentially contributing to cardiovascular diseases.
Scientists analyze past El Niño events to better understand climate patterns over the past 12,000 years. They found that Eastern Pacific events have increased in frequency, while Central Pacific and Coastal events have decreased, resulting in changes in hydroclimate in the tropical Pacific.
Researchers propose new structures to capture and condense water vapor from above oceans, providing fresh water for large population centers in subtropical regions. The study assesses the feasibility of this method under climate change conditions.
The strongest Arctic cyclone ever observed poleward of 70 degrees north latitude caused a 30% greater loss of sea ice than previous records, with waves reaching up to 100 kilometers towards the center of the ice pack. Researchers suggest that existing models underestimate the impact of big waves on ice floes in the Arctic Ocean.
A new study reveals that large parts of Europe are experiencing faster-than-average warming during summer months, leading to worse heatwaves and an increased risk of fires. The climate across the continent has also become drier, particularly in southern Europe.
Research reveals sub-hourly rainfall extremes are becoming more intense due to climate change, causing flash floods and landslides. In the Sydney area, extreme rainfall events have risen by at least 20% per decade, highlighting the need for effective climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
A new study by the University of Arizona found that tropical cyclones often follow extreme heat, which can be a major hazard after a storm. The research team analyzed 53 tropical cyclones and found that cities' heat index values were always warmer than average after the storm.
The ASU-led SW-IFL aims to understand complex relationships between extreme heat, atmospheric pollutants, and limited water supply on vulnerable urban subpopulations. The integrated field laboratory will combine high-resolution data, advanced computer modeling, and community engagement to create regionally specific predictive tools.
A new study predicts that climate change will increase rainbow viewing opportunities in northern latitudes and high elevations, while decreasing them in tropical regions. The research used photographs from Flickr to map rainbow occurrences under current and future climates.
The study reveals that cumulative pressures of food production are more concentrated than previously believed, with 92% of pressures from land-based food production concentrated on just 10% of the Earth's surface. The top five offenders are pig farming, cow farming, rice, wheat, and oil crops.
A new study reveals that western wildfires can strengthen storms in central US states, leading to heavier rain and flash flooding. The heat and airborne particles from wildfires intensify severe storms, with some cases bringing hailstones larger than baseballs.
A new study suggests that the US economy's supply chains cannot compensate for local production losses from hurricanes if climate change continues. The researchers found that even under moderate warming scenarios, hurricane damages will exceed the economy's coping capacities, leading to indirect economic effects and price increases for...
A new study suggests that rising air temperatures amplify the effects of ocean warming on the Greenland ice sheet, leading to greater ice loss. The combination of warmer liquid and movement accelerates melting, similar to ice cubes in a drink being stirred.
A new study by Genevieve Plant and colleagues found that natural gas flaring is only 91% effective in consuming methane emissions, resulting in significantly lower emission reductions. This means that removing oil and gas operations would be equivalent to taking 2.9 million cars off the road annually.
Researchers find that midwinter suppression in the North Pacific is driven by differences in upper- and lower-level eddy growth properties. The study reveals that upper-level eddies are more complex, with growth suppressed during cold season, but near-jet exit can grow normally.
A study by Colorado State University found that indoor air contains more known human toxins than outdoor air, particularly when cooking or cleaning. The research, called HOMEChem, identified compounds like benzene, formaldehyde, and acrolein as potential health risks.
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption injected at least 50 million metric tons of water vapor directly into the stratosphere, potentially increasing global stratospheric water vapor by more than 5%. This unprecedented event could lead to changes in atmospheric chemistry and dynamics, including stratospheric cooling and surface warming.
Researchers have confirmed the existence of Pekeris waves, a type of atmospheric wave theorized in 1937 but never proven to occur naturally. The waves were detected following the 2022 Tonga volcanic eruption using state-of-the-art observational data and computer simulations.
A new study suggests that Earth's habitability could increase if Jupiter's orbit becomes more eccentric, leading to parts of the surface warming up and becoming habitable for multiple life forms. The researchers also found that this change in Jupiter's orbit could have implications for the search for habitable planets around other stars.
When humans are exposed to ozone indoors, they produce highly reactive hydroxyl (OH) radicals that oxidize pollutant gases. The human body is a chemical reactor consuming or producing oxidants and oxidized species, similar to how Earth interacts with the atmosphere.
Researchers at the University of Oldenburg and Fraunhofer IWES collaborate on a new project to develop more accurate wind flow simulations using artificial intelligence. The goal is to reduce computing times and enhance precision, ultimately accelerating innovation in wind turbine design.
Thirty-eight Chinese cities have reduced their CO2 emissions for at least five years, while 21 cities have cut emissions due to economic decline or population loss. The study recommends individualized emission targets considering cities' resources and development goals.
Researchers found the Tonga tsunami reached 90 meters in height, outperforming previous tsunamis like 2011 Japan tsunami. The event emphasized the need for improved detection systems, as volcano-based tsunamis are currently 30 years behind earthquake-based event monitoring tools.
A new study highlights five critical challenges in wildfire research, including promoting coordinated research and drawing on diverse sources of knowledge. The authors emphasize the need for a more proactive fire research agenda to create safe communities and ecosystems.
A new study by University of Missouri and Webster University scientists finds climate change linked to decline of bumblebees in alpine regions. Warming temperatures are creating a longer growing season, allowing lower-elevation bees to migrate to alpine areas, where they struggle to adapt.
After the debris flow, researchers studied how far debris from Goleta Beach dispersed along the coast. They found that most of the material appeared to be largely removed from the beach and showed signs of degradation in deeper waters.
New research by UC Santa Barbara anthropologist Douglas Kennett links climate change to civil unrest among the ancient Maya. The study found that drought may have stoked violence, leading to the collapse of the city's institutions and abandonment.
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 from PSU and WSU aim to understand how atmospheric ridges impact the region's climate. The project will investigate how ridges respond to global warming and its effects on heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires.
Researchers analyzed burnt artifacts, volcanic samples, and sediment cores to recreate the Earth's magnetic field over 9,000 years. Their new modeling technique predicts that the South Atlantic Anomaly will disappear within 300 years, ruling out an impending polarity reversal.
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 team from Goethe University reproduces Asian monsoon conditions in experimental chamber, identifying increased aerosol particle formation. The study found that ice clouds can form under lower water vapour supersaturation than anticipated, affecting climate models' accuracy.
Researchers argue that methane's climate impact is inadequately represented in existing governance frameworks, neglecting its role in near-term climate change and air pollution. Policymakers can take swift action with available technologies and cost-effective measures to reduce methane emissions.
The world's ocean is losing its year-to-year memory due to global warming, making it harder to predict ocean conditions. This decline in ocean memory will have significant impacts on fisheries management, population estimates, and land-based weather forecasts.
Research reveals that tropospheric ozone contributes more to the Southern Ocean's warming than previously thought. This finding highlights the importance of reducing air pollution to mitigate ocean heat uptake and climate change.
A team of scientists from the University of East Anglia has developed a new method to estimate regional fossil fuel CO2 emissions more accurately and in near real-time. Using atmospheric measurements of O2 and CO2, they can detect changes in emissions with higher frequency and provide valuable insights for climate change policies.
A severe rainstorm over Kauai in April 2018 resulted in $180 million in damage and 532 homes destroyed. The study found that supercell thunderstorms triggered the deluge, which set a new US 24-hour rainfall record of nearly 50 inches.
Research shows aerosol particles can act as resonators for solar radiation, amplifying and structuring light to accelerate photochemical reactions. This phenomenon could speed up photochemical processes by a factor of two to three, impacting global chemistry and climate.
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.
A new model shows combining face masks, distancing, and increased ventilation can reduce SARS-CoV-2 infection risk by more than 98% in most cases. The study found that layered controls are highly effective in curb exposure to COVID-19.
A new process has been developed to remove radioactive barium ions from nuclear wastewater, achieving high adsorption capacity and fast equilibrium adsorption time. The adsorbent uses a sulfonic acid group and exhibits excellent capture ability for barium due to strong acid-base and electrostatic interactions.
Researchers found that flash droughts are happening more quickly, with the fastest ones occurring within five days, affecting areas like South Asia, Southeast Asia, and central North America. The study highlights the importance of understanding and preparing for these events.
Researchers at Mainz University created artificial hailstones using a 3D printer to study their behavior in a vertical wind tunnel. The experiments revealed that the form of hailstones determines their velocity before impact, which can affect the severity of precipitation events.
Physicists from Cracow-based Institute of Nuclear Physics found that the proton's charm structure might affect our understanding of cosmic neutrinos. Recent LHCb detector measurements support a model with a higher charm quark contribution, which could mislead astronomers about high-energy neutrino origins.
A study published in Environmental Science and Technology found that aerosols carried in older wildfire smoke plumes can still affect climate. The research, led by Qi Zhang, discovered that particulate matter concentrations were low but oxidized organic aerosols from burning biomass were detected throughout the samples.
New research links high levels of stratospheric sulfur to the Chicxulub impact, which ignited widespread fires and global cooling. The unique fingerprints in sulfur aerosols provide direct evidence for catastrophic climate change and cooling.
Researchers found that brown carbon from biomass burning contributes significantly to Arctic warming, exceeding previous estimates. The study highlights the importance of wildfire mitigation and suggests a positive feedback loop where increased wildfires emit more brown carbon aerosols, further heating the earth.
Researchers found extreme changes in stratospheric gases after the 2019-2020 Australian wildfires, potentially destroying ozone and affecting climate. The study highlights the impact of increasing wildfire activity on Earth's atmosphere.
A new study by MIT researchers reveals that glacier ice flow is more sensitive to stress than previously calculated, with revised estimates potentially refining predictions of sea level rise. The improved model could help glaciologists better understand the impact of Antarctic ice flow on future sea levels.
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.