Atmospheric chemistry is the scientific study of the chemical composition of the Earth’s atmosphere and the reactions and processes that drive the changes in this composition. It is a branch of atmospheric sciences which combines elements of meteorology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science. Atmospheric chemists investigate how natural processes like volcanic eruptions, and human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, contribute to the chemical and physical properties of the atmosphere. Key areas of research include the study of air pollutants, ozone depletion, greenhouse gases, and the effects of various chemicals on the climate and weather patterns. Understanding atmospheric chemistry is crucial for addressing environmental challenges like air pollution and climate change, helping to develop strategies to manage and mitigate human impacts on the environment.
An international group of researchers has successfully documented the first clear evidence of long-hypothesized catalysts involved in aerosol formation. Eighty-five percent of Earth’s atmosphere is…
The Maillard reaction, known for its role in food browning, is also likely happening on the ocean floor, contributing to life on Earth by preserving…
The ozone levels near the surface in urban areas are lower than anticipated. The 40-meter monitoring tower at the Innsbruck Atmospheric Observatory, located near the…
Findings may fill gap for climate change, atmospheric research beyond tropical regions. According to a new study by scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL),…
A look at enzyme evolution suggests life figured out how to use oxygen long before the main event. Around 2.5 billion years ago, our planet…
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…
University of Massachusetts Amherst, Canadian research uses ancient lake sediments to extend climate record. Taking advantage of the unique properties of sediments from the bottom…
Surprising glacial and nearly ice-free periods in last 66 million years. New research by Rutgers scientists reaffirms that modern sea-level rise is linked to human…
Study adds to evidence showing effectiveness of Montreal Protocol. Chemicals that deplete Earth’s protective ozone layer have also been triggering changes in Southern Hemisphere atmospheric…
Recovering and safely destroying the sources of these chemicals could speed ozone recovery and reduce climate change. In 2016, scientists at MIT and elsewhere observed…
Ancient air samples from one of Antarctica’s snowiest ice core sites may add a new molecule to the record of changes to Earth’s atmosphere over…
First study to combine 3D climate modeling with chemistry explores M dwarf planets. This study is the first to include 3D chemistry to understand how…
Liquid metal catalysts show great promise for capturing carbon and cleaning up pollutants, requiring so little energy they can even be created in the kitchen….
A Dartmouth-led study examining carbon stocks in an actively managed mixed wood forest in New Hampshire finds that places with more trees have more carbon…
For the first time, researchers have measured how the production of algae and the Earth’s oxygen level affect each other – what you might call…
A new study from MIT shows that the effects of smaller eruptions have been underestimated in climate models, revealing that relatively small volcanic eruptions can…
Using the Aerosol Interaction and Dynamics in the Atmosphere facility in Germany, researchers were able to create clouds at the frigid temperatures typically found on…