Analysis of sulfate grains in Greenland ice cores suggests underestimation of volcanic influences and overestimation of anthropogenic contributions
environment
January 10, 2023
Volcanoes emit gases that have a cooling effect on the climate Francesco Ricardo Iacomino/Moment RF/Getty Images
An analysis of fine particles from Greenland’s ice core reveals that volcanoes emit up to three times more climate-cooling gases than previously thought.
Sulfuric acid aerosols have a cooling effect on the climate by altering clouds and reflecting solar radiation. Volcanoes, marine phytoplankton, and gases emitted by burning fossil fuels all contribute to the production of sulfate aerosols, but it is very difficult to measure the contribution from each source, and thus its impact on climate. There are uncertainties about the impact.
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