While black carbon has a large effect on snow darkening and resultant melting of snow, dust particles transported from as far as Saudi Arabia that gets deposited in the Western Himalayan Region has a large role to play in melting of snow, particularly at higher elevations.
Aerosol
Confusion reigns as CDC takes down guidance that confirmed aerosol transmission
A draft of the proposed changes to its recommendations, which was later withdrawn pending finalisation, the CDC confirmed that airborne particles can spread even by breathing, remain suspended in air and be inhaled and spread beyond six feet in certain enclosed settings.
CDC says revised guidance on coronavirus spread ‘posted in error’, removes it
On September 21, CDC removed the revised coronavirus spread guidance that acknowledged airborne transmission through aerosols, saying it was "posted in error". The revised guidance posted three days ago stated that particles carrying the virus can remain suspended in air and spread to distances beyond six feet and is the "main way" the virus spreads.
Finally, CDC acknowledges aerosol as the ‘main way’ of coronavirus spread
On September 18, CDC revised its guidelines to acknowledge that the “main way” the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) spreads is through aerosols. It also for the first time mentions that virus can spread through breathing, stay suspended in air and travel to distances beyond six feet.
A superspreader transmits coronavirus to 23 others in air-conditioned bus. So how safe will metro rail travel be?
A single person travelling in an air-conditioned bus along with 67 other passengers in Zhejiang province in eastern China on a 100-minute round trip spread the virus to 23 people. With India's Unlock 4 guidelines permitting metro rail services operation from September 7 outside the containment zones, how safe will metro rides be.
Exhaled breath of COVID-19 patients found to contain novel coronavirus
The study found a few patients exhaled coronavirus into the air at an estimated rate of 1000-1,00,000 RNA copies/minute. Breath emission rate was the highest during the earlier stages of COVID-19. Virus emission was found to be a “sporadic event”. Not just talking, singing or shouting, as the World Health Organization indicated on July 9, … Continue reading Exhaled breath of COVID-19 patients found to contain novel coronavirus
WHO acknowledges airborne transmission of coronavirus in closed settings, and asymptomatic spread
The World Health Organization on July 9 acknowledged that novel coronavirus can be airborne in closed settings and spread from one person to another in such settings which are poorly ventilated and after prolonged exposure. It also acknowledged that people without symptoms can spread the virus. The World Health Organization on July 9 acknowledged that … Continue reading WHO acknowledges airborne transmission of coronavirus in closed settings, and asymptomatic spread
Can coronavirus spread through airborne transmission of aerosols?
A study found a large proportion of the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) appears to be occurring through airborne transmission of aerosols produced by asymptomatic individuals during breathing and speaking. Direct contact with an infected person, droplet transmission and contact with contaminated surfaces are some of the most common routes of transmission suggested for … Continue reading Can coronavirus spread through airborne transmission of aerosols?
Pollution reduces day time temperature during Indian summer monsoon
Increased aerosol loading in the atmosphere due to pollution has led to changes in the number, shape and characteristics of the rain-bearing clouds. The increased cloud reflectance has led to 1 degree C drop in day time temperature during Indian summer monsoon. At the same time, night time temperature is increasing thus shrinking the diurnal … Continue reading Pollution reduces day time temperature during Indian summer monsoon
Three science academies denounce Satyapal Singh’s statement on evolution
In a first in recent times, three science academies in India have taken a stand and issued a statement denouncing Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development Satyapal Singh's statement on human evolution. Two days after Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development Satyapal Singh claimed that Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution of man … Continue reading Three science academies denounce Satyapal Singh’s statement on evolution
Science Chronicle 