New Study Identifies Sesquiterpenes as Major Factor in Cloud Formation
Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) have made a significant discovery as part of the international CLOUD project at the nuclear research centre CERN. They have identified sesquiterpenes, gaseous hydrocarbons released by plants, as a major factor in cloud formation. This finding has the potential to reduce uncertainties in climate models and improve the accuracy of climate predictions. The study has been published in the journal Science Advances.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 13: Climate Action
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global temperatures are projected to rise by 1.5 to 4.4 degrees Celsius by 2100. These projections are based on different scenarios of greenhouse gas emissions. The uncertainties in these predictions are due to a lack of understanding of the processes that occur in the atmosphere, particularly the interactions between gases and aerosols. The CLOUD project, a collaboration between atmospheric researchers at CERN, aims to address these uncertainties and improve climate predictions.
The Mystery of Cloud Formation
Cloud cover plays a crucial role in predicting climate as clouds reflect solar radiation and cool the Earth’s surface. To form clouds, water vapor needs condensation nuclei, which are solid or liquid particles. Aerosols, tiny particles released into the air by nature and human activity, provide these nuclei. Half of these nuclei are formed in the air when different gaseous molecules combine and turn into solids, a process known as nucleation or new particle formation (NPF).
Greenhouse Gases That Contribute to Particle Formation
The main anthropogenic gas that contributes to particle formation is sulphur dioxide, mainly from burning coal and oil. Natural gases, such as isoprenes, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes, also play a role. Sesquiterpenes are hydrocarbons released by vegetation and are less frequent compared to other substances. However, a recent study has shown that sesquiterpenes play an important role in cloud formation, forming ten times more particles than other organic substances at the same concentration.
Experimental Findings
The researchers used the CLOUD chamber at CERN to simulate atmospheric conditions and study the formation of particles. They found that the oxidation of a natural mixture of isoprenes, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes in pure air produces Ultra-Low-Volatility Organic Compounds (ULVOCs), which efficiently form particles that can grow over time. The addition of sesquiterpenes to a chamber with only isoprenes and monoterpenes doubled the rate of new particle formation. This highlights the significant impact of sesquiterpenes on cloud formation.
Implications for Climate Models
The study suggests that sesquiterpenes should be included as a separate factor in future climate models to improve their accuracy. With the decrease in atmospheric sulphur dioxide concentrations and the increase in biogenic emissions due to climate stress, understanding the role of sesquiterpenes is crucial for predicting future climate changes. Further studies are planned to investigate the effects of anthropogenic gases on cloud formation during industrialization.
Conclusion
The discovery of the role of sesquiterpenes in cloud formation has the potential to reduce uncertainties in climate models and improve climate predictions. By understanding the interactions between gases and aerosols, scientists can make more accurate projections of future climate changes. This research aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action, which aims to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters
- SDG 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
There are no specific indicators mentioned in the article. However, potential indicators that could be used to measure progress towards the identified targets include:
- Concentration of sesquiterpenes in the atmosphere
- Rate of new particle formation in the presence of sesquiterpenes
- Concentration of sulphur dioxide in the air
- Concentration of isoprenes and monoterpenes in the atmosphere
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 13: Climate Action | SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters | – Concentration of sesquiterpenes in the atmosphere – Rate of new particle formation in the presence of sesquiterpenes |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | SDG 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species | – Concentration of isoprenes and monoterpenes in the atmosphere – Concentration of sulphur dioxide in the air |
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Source: newswise.com
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