Human driven changes in atmospheric aerosol composition

Abstract

A set of global 3-dimensional model simulations have been performed to investigate the changes in atmospheric composition driven by humans. Sensitivity simulations using past, present and future anthropogenic emissions of pollutants are analyzed to derive the importance of human-driven emissions of pollutants for aerosol composition, including aerosol water, and for dust aerosol aging. The results show that applied emission control has significantly limited air pollution levels compared to a hypothetical uncontrolled situation. They also point out that human activities have increased atmospheric acidity and as a result the solubility of nutrients, like iron and phosphorus, in atmospheric deposition.