NEW DELHI: A recent study has uncovered a new chemical pathway that exacerbates air quality during harsh winters. This discovery has significant implications for understanding and managing winter air pollution, particularly in regions with severe cold weather.
Researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the Georgia Institute of Technology have identified that aerosol particles existing in a supercooled state during extremely cold winters facilitate the formation of hydroxymethanesulphonate (HMS), a component of particulate matter (PM). This chemical reaction occurs when lower sulphate concentrations in the air combine with low temperatures, making PM particles less acidic and increasing HMS production.
The study, published in the journal Science Advances, highlights that traditional emission control measures may not be entirely effective in reducing pollution levels during winter. The formation of HMS in cold conditions suggests that current strategies need to be re-evaluated to address this new pathway. Rodney J. Weber, a professor at the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, emphasized that the findings have significant implications for the effectiveness of emission controls.
The research focused on Fairbanks, Alaska, which experiences extremely cold winters with temperatures around -35°C. The findings are particularly relevant for regions like Fairbanks, where air quality is severely impacted by particle pollution. The study’s insights could help improve air quality management strategies in similar cold regions worldwide.
