Aerosols

Aerosols Latest News

A recent study found that water vapor heats the atmosphere much more than aerosols do.

About Aerosols

• Aerosols refer to fine solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere, where they reside typically for days to weeks before falling to the ground or being washed out by rain or snow. 
• They arise both from human activities involving the burning of fossil fuels and biofuels, and from natural sources (such as desert dust, sea spray, and volcanic eruptions). 
• Aerosol particles are tiny but numerous and often comprise a number of inorganic and organic substances. 
• Visible forms of atmospheric aerosol plumes include smoke, smog, haze, and dust.
• How Do Aerosols Affect the Climate?
  • Some of these particles can reflect incoming sunlight back to outer space, helping to cool the atmosphere. 
  • Other aerosol particles absorb heat from sunlight. This causes the atmosphere to warm. 
    • This is especially true for black carbon. Because it is black, it is very good at absorbing sunlight.
  • Aerosols also have an impact on climate by acting as cloud condensation nuclei, which alters cloud properties and their radiative effects. 
• Aerosol particles at surface level impact human health and are associated with disruption to transport (desert dust storms and volcanic eruptions) and can reduce the solar irradiance available for solar power plants.
• Aerosols contribute to poor air quality and harm human health. 
  • Aerosols that are smaller than 2.5 µm in median diameter penetrate deep into human lungs, leading to respiratory and other diseases and premature death from air pollution.

Source: DST

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