Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are ubiquitous atmospheric constituents of both anthropogenic and natural origin. VOCs are important precursors of tropospheric ozone (O3), and can impact air quality and global climate. Most of primary VOCs and their oxidized products makeup a major fraction of secondary pollutants in urbanized regions. Due to fast reaction rates mainly with the hydroxyl radical (OH), the VOCs control the oxidizing capacity of the troposphere. Measurements of VOCs are important to study the photochemical transformation, both qualitatively and quantitatively.

As researchers find more uses for data, informed consent has become a source of confusion. Something has to change. (Correspondence)

Political interests, not scientists or inventors, will be the biggest influence on technologies to counter climate change, says Jason Blackstock.

The paper presents the nature of annual cycles of tropospheric ozone, cloud occurrences, NO2, rainfall, SO2, SPM, CO, non-methane hydrocarbon and surface solar radiation for the period October 2004 to June 2009 over Alipore (22.52°N, 88.33°E), India. Annual cycle of low-level cloud occurrences depicts that the low-level cloud over Alipore had been noticed to occur for many days and nights, particularly from June to September. The low-level cloud occurrences were found in winter months and post-monsoon period.

Clouds and aerosol particles have bedevilled climate modellers for decades. Now researchers are starting to gain the upper hand.

With the health of the world’s highest glaciers in dispute, an international team is planning a long-term campaign to measure the vital signs of the ice atop Tibet and its surrounding mountains.