Aerosol stains over Canada and the South Atlantic by Amazonian fires

MADRID, Sep 16, 2019 (DPA / Europa Press) – High-concentration aerosol stains have been observed by NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite over Canada and the South Atlantic, a sequel to the recent wave of major fires.

Fires in the interior of South America generated smoke that continues to create a long column east of the Atlantic Ocean. Fires in western Brazil were generating aerosols at a level 2 on a scale of 5. Higher aerosol concentrations were observed, up to 4 on the southeast coast of Brazil as a result of fires in the region. By September 13, the highest concentration of aerosols with this origin persisted thousands of kilometers, in the South Atlantic. Other less intense were located in its vicinity and on the coast of Brazil.

In North America, Suomi NPP detected smoke and fire sprays in the Yukon territories of Canada. Aerosol concentrations were very high on Yukon fires due to a pyro-cumulus event that occurred on September 11.

Pyro-cumulus clouds, sometimes called ‘clouds of fire’, are high, cauliflower-shaped, and appear as opaque white spots that hover over the darkest smoke in satellite images. Pyro-cumulus clouds are similar to cumulus clouds, but the heat that forces the air to rise (which leads to cooling and condensation of water vapor) comes from the fire instead of the sun-heated soil. Under certain circumstances, pyro-cumulus clouds can produce complete thunderstorms, turning them into pyro-cumulonimbus clouds.

Scientists monitor pyro-cumulus clouds closely because they can inject smoke and pollutants into the atmosphere. Since pollutants are dispersed by wind, they can affect air quality over a wide area.

The image also contains an area of ​​light brown smoke that looks like a letter ‘C’ on its side and a low pressure system (the area of ​​spiral clouds) off the coast of western Canada.

PERSISTENT EFFECTS

An aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid drops, in the air or other gas. Aerosols can be natural or anthropogenic (artificial). Examples of natural aerosols are fog, dust and geyser vapor. Examples of artificial aerosols include mist (particles suspended in the lower atmosphere), particulate air pollutants and smoke.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, high concentrations of aerosols can not only affect the weather and reduce visibility, but can also affect breathing, reproduction, the cardiovascular system and the central nervous system. Since aerosols can remain suspended in the atmosphere and transported along the prevailing wind currents at high altitude, they can travel great distances away from their source and their effects may persist.