Pollution From Asia Reaching Stratospheric Heights
Thursday, March 25, 2010 - 17:07
in Earth & Climate
As a result of the economic growth across much of Asia pollution from the region is being wafted up to the stratosphere during monsoon season, according to a new study in Science. The new finding provides additional evidence of the global nature of air pollution and its effects far above Earth's surface. Using satellite observations and computer models, the research team determined that vigorous summertime circulation patterns associated with the Asian monsoon rapidly transport air upward from the Earth's surface. Those vertical movements provide a pathway for black carbon, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants to ascend into the stratosphere, about 20-25 miles above the Earth's surface. read more