Aerosol = liquid droplets or particles suspended in the atmosphere
Changing the atmosphere’s chemistry risks creating unexpected tipping points & regime shifts.
Aerosol emissions are masking some of the warming we would otherwise see.
Not one general boundary defined, but a strong case to define sub-boundaries for different types of aerosol
Functions of Aerosol
- Absorb and reflect light
- Regulate heat balance
- Help condensation
- Affect cloud formation and rainfall
- Influence atmosphere chemistry
Sources of Aerosol
Natural Sources
- Ocean waves bubble bursting
- microcrystals of salt ejected in the air
- Fire
- Volcanoes
- Vegetation emits tiny compounds that react in the atmosphere
Human Sources
- Industrial smoke emissions
- Urban emissions
- Land use change and deforestation
Created on: 2021-01-22 Inspired by: Course - Planetary Boundaries Related: Planetary Boundaries