1. Biomass burning off the wing of a NASA aircraft.

    Northern tropical Africa not the significant carbon source satellite data suggests

    The forests and grasslands of northern tropical Africa take in about as much carbon dioxide in the wet season as they release in the dry season, according to a new study based on observations from aircraft. The findings contradict earlier research that relied on satellite data and found that these ecosystems may be adding significantly more carbon to the atmosphere than they absorb over the course of a year.

    • Air Quality,
    • Climate

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  2. Nitrogen dioxide over Africa as seen from space

    Monitoring African copper and cobalt mining emissions from space

    Emissions associated with mining operations in Africa’s Copperbelt can be quantified from space, according to new research. Mining for copper and cobalt in Africa has rapidly increased, the latter in response to growing global demand for electric vehicles, laptops, smartphones, and other devices that rely on lithium-ion batteries, the vast majority of which contain cobalt.

    • Air Quality

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  3. Satellite view of smoke billowing from Australian bushfires

    Smoke particles from wildfires can erode ozone layer

    Wildfire smoke in the stratosphere can trigger chemical reactions that erode the ozone layer shielding Earth from the Sun’s damaging ultraviolet radiation

    • Air Quality

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  4. Firefighters at staging area during 2020 California wildfire

    California wildfire smoke dimmed solar energy in 2020

    Solar energy forecasts in California substantiated overestimated energy production when wildfire smoke dimmed the skies.

    • Air Quality

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  5. Wildfire in Colorado mountains.

    Wildfire experts provide guidance for new research directions

    Fire experts across the nation call for a more strategic and interdisciplinary approach to pursuing wildfire research and protecting vulnerable communities.

    • Air Quality,
    • Climate,
    • Weather

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