Why does pollution increase in Fairbanks?
Fairbanks is surrounded by hills on three sides. Because of this, there is a 'temperature inversion' here during the winter season. This means that the air near the ground remains cold and the air above is warm. Due to this, pollution gets trapped in the air and is not able to come out for many days or weeks. When the cold increases, pollution also increases. This happens because in the cold, people burn more fuel to keep their homes warm, which spreads pollution. Apart from this, vehicles also spread more pollution in the cold. All this together worsens the air quality in Fairbanks.
Does the form of pollution change in the cold?
A research conducted in Fairbanks, Alaska, has revealed that the form of pollution changes in severe cold and it becomes even more dangerous. This research has been published in a famous journal named 'Science Advances'. It states that when the temperature reaches -35 degrees Celsius, the pollutant particles (PM2.5) present in the air become less acidic. This creates another dangerous element called 'Hydroxymethanesulfonate' (HMS), which is a part of PM2.5.
A major reason for deadly pollution in winter is the formation of a chemical called Hydroxymethanesulfonate. This chemical is formed in the micro particles (aerosols) present in the air and can be harmful to the lungs. For HMS to form, the acidity in the air should be high, but at the same time 'sulfite ions' (SO32-) are also needed, which are present in sufficient quantity only in less acidic air.
click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel