A long-term study in Switzerland reveals the promise of a new method to determine isotopic composition of the potent greenhouse gas.
Troposphere: composition and chemistry
Posted inScience Updates
Meteorologists Track Wildfires Using Satellite Smoke Images
Enhancements to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's decision support system give forecasters new capabilities for tracking smoke from fires using satellite data.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Isotopes Track Carbon Cycle in Northern Wisconsin Wilderness
Researchers collected carbon from 3 years' worth of air samples and traced it back to its source.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
No Evidence for Unknown Source of Ozone Precursor
A study suggests that known combustion and photochemical sources of nitrous acid, a precursor to ground-level ozone, are enough to explain levels seen in the atmosphere.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Chemical Boosts Ozone Production over Southern China
The presence of nitryl chloride in polluted urban air can enhance the production of ozone by up to 41%, according to a new modeling study constrained by ground-based measurements.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Evaluating the Impact of Maryland's Healthy Air Act
Reducing emissions of short-lived gaseous sulfur pollutants from power plants had an immediate, local benefit, but controlling longer-lasting harmful particulate matter will require regional action.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Detecting Black Carbon in the Arctic Atmosphere
Measurements of light-absorbing carbon particles made during an Arctic research expedition could improve understanding of their effects on the Arctic climate.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Methyl Chloride Can Track Tropical Air in the Lower Stratosphere
A new study shows that trace gas samples collected aboard commercial airliners can be used to determine the origin and dynamics of atmospheric air masses.
Posted inNews
James N. Pitts Jr. (1921–2014)
Pitts's contributions to understanding what drives atmospheric pollution and his dedication to teaching and mentoring made him a preeminent leader in atmospheric chemistry.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Reduced Emissions Lead to Clearer Skies over Alabama
Aerosol pollutants are on the decline—and so are their effects.