What Is The Indian Ocean Experiment Widespread Air Pollution From Southeast Asia

In the article, “The Indian ocean experiment: Widespread air pollution from south and southeast Asia” by Lelieveld, J, Crutzen, P H, Ramanathan, V, Andreae, M O, and et al., it describes how the Indian Ocean Experiment studied how air pollution traveled from southeast Asia to the Indian Ocean during the dry monsoon season from January to March of 1984. Factors that cause high concentrations of pollution, such as agricultural, biofuel, fossil fuel, and biomass burning were found over the Intertropical convergence zone. These factors have already affected the air quality on smaller levels, but could eventually reduce the atmosphere’s ability to oxidize. North America and Europe have been the leading countries in the amount of carbon dioxide emissions,

Meaning, the pollution stays in one area because the winds are suppressed and no longer have the capability of spreading out the polluted air. The author also reveals that the study took place in the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) to study primary pollutants over a large area and so the scientists could compare the polluted air to air in an otherwise clean area. Aerosol tests were taken to discover large amounts of inorganic and organic pollutants as well as black carbon. The Aerosol over the ocean was deemed as similar to that of suburban pollution in North America and Europe. However, since the black carbon concentration was so high the mass had a powerful sunlight absorption characteristic that increased the overall temperature of the area. Aerosol sulfate in nearby parts of the ocean were contributed to natural factors, but in the area of the ITCZ the pollution was due to human creation. The amount of pollutants discovered in some areas of the ocean were too close to the natural ratio, making it hard to pinpoint the actual