Future air pollution could put plants at ris

An international research team’s recent study finds that by 2050, cumulative exposure to ozone during the summer will be high enough to damage vegetation.

The findings, published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions, have raised concerns for global air quality.

"Modeling future air quality is very complex, because so many factors need to be taken into account at both a global and local scale," said lead researcher Dr. Maria Val Martin of the University of Sheffield’s Faculty of Engineering. "The picture isn't uniform across the USA, with some areas seeing much higher surface ozone levels than others. However, our findings show that the emissions reductions we're expecting to achieve won't guarantee air quality on their own, as they will be offset by changes in climate and land use and by an increase in wildfires. This is an issue that will affect all parts of the world, not just the USA."

According to the study, cumulative impact of projected ozone increases over three months in the summer will produce surface ozone levels high enough to cause ozone damage to plants. This was particularly evident in the summer months, in the presence of higher emissions from transport and industry of nitrogen oxides, which react with sunlight to create ozone.

Co-researcher Professor Colette Heald, from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, adds: "Poor air quality is not just an issue in cities. Air pollution in pristine regions such as National Parks degrades visibility and can damage ecosystem health. Protecting natural ecosystems - and our enjoyment of them - will require us to consider and manage the impacts of emissions and climate change on future air quality."