Aerosol properties, processes and influences on the Earth's climate
NERC has invested £5·6m in the APPRAISE (Aerosol properties, processes and influences on the Earth's climate) programme.
This funding will support projects over a five-year period between 2005 and 2010.
Why study aerosols?
Aerosols are tiny particles or droplets which, when suspended in the atmosphere, can have an enormous influence on our climate. Understanding atmospheric aerosols is one of the most important ways we can improve climate models, especially at a regional level.
We need to know how those produced by human activities might shift the natural balance and where the regional hotspots might be. We also need to know if the changing climate will give rise to more aerosols in the atmosphere, or less – the feedback process.
Aerosol properties, processes and influences on the Earth's climate (918 KB)