To reduce persistent aerosol-climate-forcing uncertainty, new in situ aerosol and cloud measurement programs are needed, plus much better integration of satellite and suborbital measurements with models.
aerosols & particles
Danger in the Dust! The Hazards of Windblown Dust
Airborne dust not only causes disease, it also menaces transportation on land, sea, and air; disrupts renewable energy systems; transports pathogens and toxic substances; and poses many other hazards.
Fine-Tuning Air Pollution Models
InMAP estimates air pollution within cities, but its predictions are flawed for specific chemicals. Now, scientists are addressing that shortcoming.
EPA Air Pollution Proposal Stirs Debate
The agency’s proposal to tighten standards for small-particulate pollution has prompted opposing calls for tighter and looser regulations.
Collaboration Helps Overcome Challenges in Air Quality Monitoring
Everything looks ideal for collaboration: interest from community members, a new method for monitoring air quality by scientists, and interest from policymakers. What happens next?
Wildfire Smoke Destroys Ozone
Smoke aerosols from large wildfires are the perfect reaction surface for chlorine chemicals, speeding their transformation from ozone-friendly forms to reactive ones.
Taking Cloud Microphysics Experiments to the Next Level
Experiments in a cloud chamber have provided valuable insights into microphysical processes and will get more realistic as the height of the chamber increases.
Spring and Sewage Are in the Air Near San Diego
Sea spray can transport sewage-contaminated waters inland, potentially exposing those living kilometers from the beach.
Unleashing the Power of AutoML for Atmospheric Research
Automated Machine Learning liberates domain scientists from selecting learners and hyperparameters and discovers the importance of atmospheric trace gases for improving surface PM2.5 estimates.
Examining Aerosol-Cloud-Climate Interactions at a Large Scale
A new numerical setup demonstrates that aerosols could affect clouds, and hence the radiation budget, thousands of kilometers from their location.