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AEROSOLS
An aerosol is a mixture of gas and suspended solid particles (smoke) or droplets (mist, spray). These can be anything from tiny nanoparticles to visible dust.
Sources
Aerosols are created by burning, spraying or abrasion.
They are formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere and when several molecules group into particles or droplets.
They can also contain particles such as bacteria and viruses, spores or pollen.
70,000 times thinner than a human hair, the smallest aerosol particles measure 1 nanometre. Coarse particles can even be thicker than a hair.
Effect
Aerosols influence cloud formation and the climate. In humans, they can lead to allergies and diseases, for example of the respiratory tract. They can be used specifically in sprays.
What does Jülich do?
Field observations, laboratory experiments and modelling on:
- Sources of aerosols
- Composition and particle size distribution of aerosols
- Chemical transformation in the atmosphere
- Influence on cloud formation
- Role in climate processes
- Impact on air quality
This text is published in the effzett issue 2-19. Illustrations: Diana Köhne
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Last Modified: 13.03.2025