Sources of Aerosols

This animation shows the different sources of aerosols, how they mix in the Earth's atmosphere, and finally disappear by creating sediment or raining out.

The different sources of aerosols mix on the earth's surface. This animation shows some of the major sources of the different types of aerosols: India (urban haze), desert dust (Northern Africa), biomass burning (California, US), and ocean spray (Pacific Ocean).

This is the opening scene in a larger animation showing the sources of various types of aerosols. The smog emitted from the city is exaggerated so that the viewer understands that aerosols are coming from the city. The camera follows the path of the aerosol cloud into the sky where it rests on a cloud (aerosols being added to the cloud).

Oceans are a third source of aerosols. The camera observes sea salt spray aerosols rising into the sky, follows the path downwards to the source (the rocky ocean), and back up into the sky where the aerosols are gathering in a cloud.

Forest fires are another source of aerosols. This animation shows a forest on fire. The camera follows the aerosols up into the sky.

Desert sand storms create aerosols. This is the final source animation before the earth mix animation in the final aerosol source movie.

View of aerosols over the Indian Ocean.

View of aerosols over the Atlantic Ocean.

Artist depiction of aerosol pollutants from cities.

Artist depiction of salt particle aerosols from ocean spray.

Artist depiction of smoke particle aerosols from forest fires.

Artist depiction of dust particle aerosols from deserts.