Fossil fuel pollution from industrialized nations is impacting the Arctic's atmospheric chemistry, revealing the widespread reach of human activity.
Andrei Ionescu reports for Earth.com.
In short:
- Researchers discovered that fossil fuel emissions have caused declines in methanesulfonic acid (MSA) in Arctic ice cores since the mid-19th century.
- Air pollution from Europe, North America and East Asia alters atmospheric processes, even in remote Arctic regions, transforming dimethyl sulfide into sulfate instead of MSA.
- Environmental regulations in the 1990s helped reverse some of the damage, as MSA levels began to recover with reduced nitrogen pollution.
Key quote:
“By releasing all this pollution into the world, we’re fundamentally altering atmospheric processes. The fact that these remote areas of the Arctic see these undeniable human imprints shows that there’s literally no corner of this planet we haven’t touched.”
— Jacob Chalif, Dartmouth graduate student.
Why this matters:
Air pollution's reach is vast, affecting even the most remote ecosystems. Understanding this global impact highlights the importance of air quality regulations, which have proven effective at reversing damage caused by fossil fuels.
