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UrduThe permanent rise of oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere, which fundamentally changed the subsequent nature of Earth’s habitability, occurred much later than thought, according to new research. And the study, from an international team led by the University of Leeds…
Tag: ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
Oil and natural gas production emit more methane than previously thought
Research finds EPA underestimates methane emissions from oil and gas production
With drop in LA’s vehicular aerosol pollution, vegetation emerges as major source
Plants that emit lots of isoprenes may be causing unhealthful aerosol levels during heat waves
Toxic PAH air pollutants from fossil fuels ‘multiply’ in sunlight
When power stations burn coal, a class of compounds called Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, or PAHs, form part of the resulting air pollution. Researchers have found that PAHs toxins degrade in sunlight into ‘children’ compounds and by-products. Some ‘children’ compounds can…
Size matters when it comes to atomic properties
A study from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, has yielded new answers to fundamental questions about the relationship between the size of an atom and its other properties, such as electronegativity and energy. The results pave the way for advances…
How bushfire smoke traveled around the world
A study uncovers how some Australian fires produced a spreading stratospheric haze rivaling that of a volcanic eruption
It’s snowing plastic
New technique detects minute particles of plastics in snow, rain and even soil
New quantum algorithm surpasses the QPE norm
Osaka City University refines quantum computer-ready algorithm to measure the vertical ionization energies of atoms and molecules within 0.1 eV of precision.
Purifying the air to prevent COVID-19 transmission
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic had people sharing an array of strategies for disinfection and disease prevention. The ensuing months showed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is primarily spread through the air via contaminated droplets, prompting a new wave of…
Study uncovers safety concerns with some air purifiers
Joint university research finds some air purifiers may actually increase harmful airborne chemicals
Study predicts the oceans will start emitting ozone-depleting CFCs
As atmospheric concentrations of CFC-11 drop, the global ocean should become a source of the chemical by the middle of next century.
Air pollution: The silent killer called PM2.5
Over half the world’s population lives without the protection of proper air quality standards
Unfavorable weather conditions were the main cause of the fog-haze events over the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region during the COVID-19 lockdown
At the end of December 2019, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) quickly spread throughout Hubei Province and other parts of China. During the 2020 Spring Festival, public activities were cancelled, people tried their best to stay at home, and human and…
Four CSU researchers selected for NASA team studying air quality and health
Three atmospheric scientists and one epidemiologist from Colorado State University will interpret NASA data for public benefit
Atmospheric drying will lead to lower crop yields, shorter trees across the globe
A global observation of an ongoing atmospheric drying — known by scientists as a rise in vapor pressure deficit — has been observed worldwide since the early 2000s. In recent years, this concerning phenomenon has been on the rise, and…
Earth has a hot new neighbour — and it’s an astronomer’s dream
A newly discovered planet could be our best chance yet of studying rocky planet atmospheres outside the solar system, a new international study involving UNSW Sydney shows.
Engineering marvel: Sixth mirror cast for Giant Magellan Telescope
The 8.4-meter mirror joins five of the world’s largest mirrors previously cast for the Giant Magellan Telescope, one of the world’s largest and most anticipated extremely large telescopes.
Air pollution fell sharply during lockdown
Traffic significantly underestimated as cause of nitrogen oxide pollution in cities
Earth has a hot new neighbour — and it’s an astronomer’s dream
A rocky planet discovered in the Virgo constellation could change how we look for life in the universe
How ‘green’ are environmentally friendly fireworks?
Fireworks are used in celebrations around the world, including Independence Day in the U.S., the Lantern Festival in China and the Diwali Festival in India. However, the popular pyrotechnic displays emit large amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere, sometimes causing…
‘Best case’ goals for climate warming which could still result in massive wildfire risk
A seemingly small difference in global warming levels could greatly impact wildfires worldwide, researchers have found
How much longer will the oxygen-rich atmosphere be sustained on Earth?
Earth’s surface environments are highly oxygenated – from the atmosphere to the deepest reaches of the oceans, representing a hallmark of active photosynthetic biosphere. However, the fundamental timescale of the oxygen-rich atmosphere on Earth remains uncertain, particularly for the distant…
COVID-19 lockdown highlights ozone chemistry in China
Decreasing NOx emissions driving increased ozone pollution in late winter in China
On calm days, sunlight warms the ocean surface and drives turbulence
CORVALLIS, Ore. – In tropical oceans, a combination of sunlight and weak winds drives up surface temperatures in the afternoon, increasing atmospheric turbulence, unprecedented new observational data collected by an Oregon State University researcher shows. The new findings could have…
When using pyrite to understand Earth’s ocean and atmosphere: Think local, not global
The ocean floor is vast and varied, making up more than 70% of the Earth’s surface. Scientists have long used information from sediments at the bottom of the ocean — layers of rock and microbial muck — to reconstruct the…
Just published: Compilation of research on PFAS in the environment
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of man-made chemical compounds and a current, emerging concern to environmental health. PFAS substances have unique characteristics-resistance to heat, water, oil and stains-that make them useful in a variety of industrial applications…
Oxidation processes in combustion engines and in the atmosphere take the same routes
Efficient autoxidation chain reactions demonstrated for the substance group of saturated hydrocarbons
How outdoor pollution affects indoor air quality
Wildfire and firework smoke more impactful than inversions
Ancient relic points to a turning point in Earth’s history 42,000 years ago
Just like in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the answer was 42
NOAA funds VIMS to study impact of ocean acidification on oysters
Team will assess vulnerability of aquaculture and restoration efforts in Chesapeake Bay
Giving oxygen to the question of air quality
The simplest of organic molecules have a much more complex relationship with oxygen than previously thought. Researchers from KAUST and their international collaborators have shown that alkanes participate extensively in autoxidation reactions with oxygen molecules1. The discovery, which overturns current…
Researchers have proved that that ozone is effective in disinfecting Coronavirus
New research conducted by Tel Aviv University, Bar Ilan University and the Azrieli College
Electricity source determines benefits of electrifying China’s vehicles
Reducing emissions from power generation is key to achieving health, environmental benefits
The smallest galaxies in our universe bring more about dark matter to light
Our universe is dominated by a mysterious matter known as dark matter. Its name comes from the fact that dark matter does not absorb, reflect or emit electromagnetic radiation, making it difficult to detect. Now, a team of researchers has…
Climate research: rapid formation of iodic particles over the Arctic
More clouds could cause ice to melt faster – Goethe University research team investigates aerosol formation from iodine-containing vapours in international CLOUD project
Combination of pine scent and ozone as super source of particulate emissions
Combination of pine scent and ozone as super source of particulate emissions from coniferous forests Scientists have managed to figure out why conifer forests produce so many fine particles into the atmosphere. Aerosol particles are particularly abundant when ?-pinene, the…
Reductions in CFC-11 emissions put ozone recovery back on track
Scientists observe reduction in emissions of banned ozone-depleting chemical after unexpected spike
Research shows emissions of banned ozone-depleting substance are back on the decline
Global emissions of a potent substance notorious for depleting the Earth’s ozone layer – the protective barrier which absorbs the Sun’s harmful UV rays – have fallen rapidly and are now back on the decline, according to new research. Two…
Traffic reductions due to COVID-19 boost air quality in some states but not all
Dramatic decreases in traffic caused by COVID-19 shutdowns improved air quality in car-dependent states but didn’t offset additional forms of pollution in other parts of the country. Those findings by a University of South Florida researcher suggest that while decreasing…
Fast-growing parts of africa see a surprise: less air pollution from seasonal fires
But growing urban emissions mean reprieve may be only temporary
Iodine oxoacids formed in oceans have major impact on climate
Molecular iodine, a major emission from the ocean, can quickly convert to iodic oxoacids even under weak daylight conditions. These oxoacids lead rapidly to aerosol particles that significantly affect climate and human health. Iodine-containing vapors that are emitted from oceans…
Timothy Bertram: Then and Now / 2011 Early Career Award Winner
Timothy Bertram of the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at the University of Wisconsin – Madison is studying the role atmospheric chemistry plays in regulating concentrations of air pollutants, greenhouse gases, and aerosol particles.
Arctic stew: Understanding how high-latitude lakes respond to and affect climate change
To arrive at Nunavut, turn left at the Dakotas and head north. You can’t miss it–the vast tundra territory covers almost a million square miles of northern Canada. Relatively few people call this lake-scattered landscape home, but the region plays…
Dynamics of radiocesium in forests after the Fukushima disaster: Concerns and some hope
Scientists compile available data and analyses on the flow of radionuclides to gain a more holistic understanding
Sea ice kept oxygen from reaching deep ocean during last ice age
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Extensive sea ice covered the world’s oceans during the last ice age, which prevented oxygen from penetrating into the deep ocean waters, complicating the relationship between oxygen and carbon, a new study has found. “The sea ice…
Sea level will rise faster than previously thought
There are two main elements to observe when assessing sea level rise. One is the loss of the ice on land, e.g., melting mountain glaciers and inland ice sheets on Greenland and Antarctica, and the other is that the sea…
Study indicates US cities underestimate their GHG emissions by nearly 20%
Some cities’ self-reported emissions are as much as 145% below standardized estimates, distorting data on which climate change policy actions are based
COVID-19 lockdowns temporarily raised global temperatures
Reductions in aerosol emissions had slight warming impact, research shows
Failed storage tanks pose atmospheric risks during disasters
Rice study models how spilled chemicals likely spread during Ike, Harvey
Human activity caused the long-term growth of greenhouse gas methane
Emissions from the Oil and Gas sectors, Coal Mining and Ruminant Farming Drive Methane Growth over the Past Three Decades