Atmospheric Research
Scientists solve mystery of highly reactive oxygen
Reported by AI
Researchers have unraveled a decades-old puzzle in chemistry by explaining how oxygen becomes highly reactive in certain conditions. The breakthrough, detailed in a recent study, reveals a new mechanism involving atomic oxygen reactions. This discovery could reshape understandings of atmospheric processes and combustion.
Columbia study highlights risks in sun-dimming geoengineering
Researchers at Columbia University have published a study warning that stratospheric aerosol injection, a proposed method to cool the planet by dimming the sun, faces significant physical, geopolitical, and economic hurdles not fully captured in climate models. The technique, which mimics volcanic eruptions by injecting sunlight-reflecting particles into the upper atmosphere, could lead to unpredictable outcomes like disrupted monsoons and material shortages. The team emphasizes that real-world implementation would be far messier than simulations suggest.