Global simulation models with varied sources of emission and behaviour of air pollutants
Friday, February 21, 2014 - 07:30
in Earth & Climate
Greenhouse gases and aerosols have an undisputed impact on climate. Long-lived greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane have a well-understood warming effect. Aerosols, tiny particles of human or natural origin ranging from 0.01 to 10 millionth-of-a-meter, also have a cooling effect. Although they live no longer than a week in the atmosphere, they have an impact on air quality and thus our health, while their action on climate is not fully understood. The challenge is to predict concentrations of these pollutants in the atmosphere in order to improve climate and air quality models.