News & Events
INSTAAR News
Study on formaldehyde scavenging in thunderstorms shows changing ideas about atmospheric processes
August 13th, 2016Thunderstorms are powerful things: their churning circulation can stir gases from the lower atmosphere into the upper atmosphere and even the lower stratosphere. They can also scrub gases out of the air by dissolving them in raindrops, a process known as scavenging. In a new study, INSTAAR scientists in collaboration with other scientists at CU and NCAR found that scavenging is not nearly as effective as previously believed for some soluble and highly reactive trace gases, a result that may change our views of atmospheric chemistry in a warming climate.
Submit papers for AAAR journal’s special issue about West Greenland environments
August 12th, 2016Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research (AAAR) has announced a Call for Papers for a special issue to be published in 2017: “Environmental Change and Impacts in the Kangerlussuaq Area, West Greenland”
Geological Society of America awards John Andrews the Penrose Medal
August 9th, 2016INSTAAR Fellow John Andrews has been awarded the Penrose Medal, the highest honor from the Geological Society of America, for his original contributions to the science of geology.
Water and natural gas: Win some, lose less?
April 18th, 2016Natural gas has been touted as a “bridge fuel” which would allow us to transition towards cleaner alternatives in the future while leaning away from emission-heavy carbon based fuels. We looked at some of the atmospheric consequences for using natural gas last week, and this week we’re taking a closer look at water. Water lost to fracking may be mitigated by water savings during power generation.
Coal vs. natural gas in the climate ring: Calling this fight is tricky
April 8th, 2016A look at the complex climate-related tradeoffs of coal-fired electricity vs. natural gas.
When less is more: New study tracks down lingering source of carbon tetrachloride emissions
March 4th, 2016A new study pinpoints higher than reported emissions of carbon tetrachloride, an ozone-depleting chemical banned for uses that result in it escaping to the atmosphere.