Aerosols - Climate Impact, Air Pollution

 

Aerosols are tiny solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in the atmosphere.

Natural sources include:

  • Dust

  • Sea salt

  • Volcanic ash

  • Wildfires.

Human-made sources include:

  • Industrial emissions

  • Vehicle pollution

  • Biomass burning

  • Fossil-fuel combustion.

Aerosols influence climate by scattering or absorbing radiation and by affecting cloud formation.

Key Pointers

  • Aerosol ≠ greenhouse gas.

  • Can produce cooling or warming effects depending on composition.

  • Sulphate aerosols generally reflect sunlight → cooling effect.

  • Black carbon absorbs sunlight → warming.

  • Aerosols influence cloud condensation nuclei.

  • Important for air pollution and climate change.