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Atmospheric aerosols are particles of liquids or solids that are small enough to float in the air. They can come from natural sources, such as: pollen from flowers; sea salt spray; dust blowing over the desert; and ash from wildfires and volcanoes. Aerosols can also be human made (anthropogenic), such as particles from factory smoke, auto emissions and slash-and-burn agricultural practices.
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Particles of soot (left) and sea salt (right). Image credit: Kimberly Prather, UCSD
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The life cycle of atmospheric aerosols is complex. Most atmospheric aerosols eventually drop to the ground or get washed down with the rain. However, some particles are able ascend to the highest levels of the atmosphere, stay for a very long time and travel long distances. Since these particles know no borders, international cooperation is essential in any measures designed to control them.
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Global seasonal atmospheric aerosol distributions
Image Credit: NASA/GSFC/LaRC/JPL, MISR Team |
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