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Slow burn
Tsukuba - December 28, 1999 - The massive forest fires in Indonesia are accelerating global warming by increasing ozone levels in the lower troposphere, according to a study by Japan's Meteorological Agency. Since 1993, the agency's research institute at Tsukuba, east of Tokyo, has been sampling and measuring greenhouse gases generated by the massive fires using collectors on Japan Airlines planes flying from Tokyo to Sydney. Caption: A Light Rail Transit (LRT) passenger train travels along its tracks in Kuala Lumpur while thick smog hovers in the sky obscuring the view of the Kuala Lumpur Tower (L) and the Petronas Twin Towers (R) 05 August 1999. Malaysia has decided not to disclose readings of its air pollution index, despite the return of hazy conditions linked to fires in Indonesia, to avoid scaring tourists. AFP PHOTO/Jimin LAI Between autumn of 1997 and spring 1998, during the height of the burning season, researchers found that the maximum concentration of carbon monoxide jumped to 380 parts per billion--ten times the normal level. Hidekazu Matsueda, who headed the research team, says carbon monoxide is a typical by-product of smouldering forest fires. Carbon monoxide is especially dangerous because it produces ozone through a complicated photochemical reaction. "Many reactive gases are produced from slow burning," says Matsueda. "Their reactions in the atmosphere are very complicated." Ozone in the lower troposphere is a very potent global warming gas. The Japan Airlines planes collected their samples while travelling at altitudes of between 8000 and 13 000 metres. The planes also sampled several other greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and methane. While there were increases in many of these gases during the Indonesian burning season, Matsueda says the jump in the level of carbon monoxide was the most significant. He warns that forest fires caused by slash-and-burn methods of agriculture contribute even more to global warming than had previously been believed. This article will appear in the December 25 issue of New Scientist New Scientist. Copyright 1999 - All rights reserved. The material on this page is provided by New Scientist and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without written authorization from New Scientist. CommunityEmail This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Space
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Calcutta, India (SPX) Dec 28, 2005The successful launch Thursday of India's heaviest satellite from spaceport of Kourou in French Guyana may have boosted the country's space research efforts to yet another level, but it has also lifted the spirits of at least three Direct-To-Home televisions broadcasters, one of which has been waiting for years to launch its services in India. |
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