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Atmospheric Chemistry

All articles tagged with #atmospheric chemistry

Antarctica's Mount Erebus Ejects Gold Crystals Worth About $2 Million Annually
science11 days ago

Antarctica's Mount Erebus Ejects Gold Crystals Worth About $2 Million Annually

Antarctica’s Mount Erebus—the southernmost active volcano with a permanent lava lake—releases microscopic crystals of pure gold in its volcanic gases. About 80 grams of gold crystals are emitted daily (roughly $6,000), totaling over $2 million per year, with crystals able to travel up to 1,000 kilometers before depositing on ice. Scientists propose two main theories for formation—direct crystallization from chlorine-rich gases as they cool, or growth on the lava lake surface before release—yet the exact mechanism remains unsolved.

via NDTV|
#antarctica#atmospheric-chemistry#gold-crystals
Volcanic plume may act as a methane cleaner, study finds
science2 months ago

Volcanic plume may act as a methane cleaner, study finds

A 2022 eruption of the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai volcano released about 330 gigagrams of methane but simultaneously destroyed roughly 900 megagrams per day through chlorine-driven reactions in the plume, with methane breakdown detectable for about 10 days as the cloud drifted toward South America. The findings suggest a natural mechanism that could inspire engineered methane-removal approaches, though practical deployment and safety concerns, plus measurement challenges, remain.

via Gizmodo|
#atmospheric-chemistry#chlorine#climate-change
First real-time lidar capture of space debris pollution from a rocket re-entry
space-exploration4 months ago

First real-time lidar capture of space debris pollution from a rocket re-entry

Scientists used a ground-based LiDAR to observe in near real time the air-pollution plume produced when SpaceX Falcon 9 debris burned up on re‑entry. The lithium signal peaked at about 60 miles altitude, and the plume moved across Western Europe (Ireland to Germany) over roughly a day, while the debris crossed from Ireland to Poland in about 2.5 minutes. Lithium is a rare tracer in the atmosphere; the team estimates about 80 grams of lithium enter Earth's atmosphere daily globally, with a Falcon 9 contributing roughly 30 kilograms of aluminum‑lithium hull and batteries per vehicle. Aluminum oxide formation could affect ozone and climate, and researchers plan to measure additional metals in future campaigns; the study was published February 19, 2026 in Communications Earth & Environment.

via Space|
#atmospheric-chemistry#lidar#lithium
NASA Detects Electric Sparks in Martian Dust Storms, Challenging Atmosphere Theories
science6 months ago

NASA Detects Electric Sparks in Martian Dust Storms, Challenging Atmosphere Theories

NASA's Perseverance rover detected unexpected electrical activity in Martian dust devils using its microphone, revealing that electrical discharges are common on Mars and may influence atmospheric chemistry, including methane breakdown, with significant implications for future missions and our understanding of the planet.

via The Daily Galaxy|
#atmospheric-chemistry#dust-devils#electricity
NASA Discovers Mysterious Ozone Surge in Mars's Frozen Vortex
science9 months ago

NASA Discovers Mysterious Ozone Surge in Mars's Frozen Vortex

Scientists have discovered a surge in ozone levels within Mars's north polar vortex, which is much colder than surrounding areas and may provide insights into the planet's past atmospheric conditions and potential habitability. This finding is significant for upcoming missions like ExoMars, aiming to explore signs of ancient life, and highlights the unique atmospheric phenomena on Mars that could reshape our understanding of the planet.

via Rude Baguette|
#atmospheric-chemistry#mars#ozone
New Research Suggests Venus Never Had Oceans or Earth-like Life
science1 year ago

New Research Suggests Venus Never Had Oceans or Earth-like Life

New research from the University of Cambridge suggests that Venus never had oceans and was always a hot, inhospitable planet, challenging the idea that it could have once supported life. By analyzing the chemical composition of Venus's atmosphere, scientists found that its volcanic gases contain minimal steam, indicating a dry interior. This finding has implications for the search for habitable exoplanets, as it suggests Venus-like planets may not be suitable for life. NASA's upcoming DAVINCI mission may provide further insights into Venus's history.

via Space.com|
#atmospheric-chemistry#exoplanets#habitability
New Research Suggests Venus Was Always Too Hot for Oceans
science1 year ago

New Research Suggests Venus Was Always Too Hot for Oceans

A study by University of Cambridge astronomers suggests Venus has never been habitable, challenging the theory that it once had liquid water. By analyzing Venus's atmospheric chemistry, researchers found its interior too dry to have supported oceans, implying it has always been inhospitable. This finding impacts the search for life on exoplanets, suggesting a focus on Earth-like planets rather than Venus-like ones. Future missions, like NASA's DAVINCI, aim to confirm these results, refining the criteria for habitable planets.

via Phys.org|
#astronomy#atmospheric-chemistry#exoplanets
Microplastics Found to Influence Cloud Formation and Weather Patterns
science1 year ago

Microplastics Found to Influence Cloud Formation and Weather Patterns

A recent study suggests that microplastics in the atmosphere can influence cloud formation by acting as nuclei for ice crystals, potentially affecting weather and climate. These particles can cause ice to form at warmer temperatures than usual, which may increase precipitation. The study highlights the need for further research to understand the concentration and impact of microplastics compared to other particles like mineral dust and biological materials in cloud formation.

via Livescience.com|
#atmospheric-chemistry#cloud-formation#ice-nucleation
"Exoplanet with Rotten Egg Odor and Glass Rain Discovered"
science-and-technology2 years ago

"Exoplanet with Rotten Egg Odor and Glass Rain Discovered"

Scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope have detected hydrogen sulfide, a molecule that smells like rotten eggs, in the atmosphere of the exoplanet HD 189733b. This discovery marks the first time hydrogen sulfide has been found outside our solar system and provides new insights into the atmospheric composition of exoplanets. HD 189733b, a "hot Jupiter" known for its extreme weather, including glass rain and high temperatures, also contains water, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. The findings, published in Nature, enhance our understanding of exoplanet formation and atmospheric chemistry.

via KSL.com|
#atmospheric-chemistry#exoplanet#hd-189733b