Introduction to Atmospheric Aerosols

A reading that explains what aerosols are and describes the different sources of atmospheric aerosols. This reading includes a section on volcanic eruptions as one of the largest natural contributors to atmospheric aerosols.
Further describe the relation between volcanic aerosols and climate.
Finally, explain how aerosols are used as tracers to study global atmospheric patterns.

Aerosols are minute particles suspended in the atmosphere of the earth. Aerosols are emitted to the atmosphere directly from sources such as volcanos, forests, traffic, sea spray, desert dust and fires. They can also be formed by condensation of atmospheric gases.
Use a reading, 'Atmospheric Aerosols: What Are They, and Why Are They So Important?' by the Langley Research Centre, NASA, to discuss in detail what atmospheric aerosols are and what are their main sources. Use the reading to explore in detail how aerosols can affect climate and can cause both heating and cooling on the earth's surface.

Emphasize that volcanic eruptions are amongst the largest sources of atmospheric aerosols. Using examples discussed in text, try to understand how volcanic eruptions have affected earth's climate in the past, due to the large-scale dispersal of particulate matter and the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Global Aerosols

Further, read how the other main sources of aerosols- dust and anthropogenic sources like smoke particles and sulfate aerosols from the burning of fossil fuels- can also affect climate.

Explore how sulphate aerosols are formed in the atmosphere when sulphur dioxide reacts with water to form fine liquid droplets of sulphuric acid and solid particles of salts of sulphuric acid. Discuss how the concentration of human contributed sulfate aerosols have increased in the industrial age and how they could possibly affect earth's climate.
It is interesting to note, how aerosols are used as tracers to study global atmospheric patterns.

Aerosol Life Cycle

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