Global Aerosol Diversity and Climate Change

In July 2026, a study mapped global aerosol types and found that South Asia experiences the highest atmospheric heating from dust mixed with pollution.

What are Aerosols?

  • Tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere.
  • Originate from natural sources and human activities.
  • Influence Earth's energy balance, clouds, rainfall and climate.

Major Findings

  • Classified aerosols into seven distinct types based on their optical properties.
  • South Asia is dominated by dust-dominated mixtures (DDM).
  • DDM produces the highest Aerosol Radiative Forcing (ARF) and atmospheric heating in South Asia.
  • Strongly Absorbing (SA) aerosols generate the highest atmospheric heating globally.

Seven Aerosol Types

  • Pure Dust (PD)
  • Dust-Dominated Mixtures (DDM)
  • Pollution-Dominated Mixtures ....
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