Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026
07:54
Experimental Methods of Dust Charging and Mobilization on Surfaces with Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation or Plasmas
Published on: April 3, 2018
Cosmic dust in the earth's atmosphere
1School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK. j.m.c.plane@leeds.ac.uk
Chemical Society Reviews
|June 9, 2012
Summary
Cosmic dust enters Earth's atmosphere daily, with estimates ranging from 5 to 300 tonnes. This interplanetary dust impacts atmospheric processes, climate change indicators, and ocean fertilization.
Area of Science:
- Earth Science
- Atmospheric Science
- Planetary Science
Background:
- Interplanetary dust continuously enters Earth's atmosphere.
- Discrepancies exist between estimates of cosmic dust input.
- Cosmic dust influences atmospheric chemistry and climate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the magnitude of cosmic dust input into Earth's atmosphere.
- To discuss the impacts of cosmic dust from 100 km to the surface.
- To highlight the implications of differing dust input estimates.
Main Methods:
- Zodiacal cloud observations and spaceborne dust detector measurements.
- Analysis of cosmic-enriched elements (Ir, Pt, Os, Fe) in polar ice and deep-sea sediments.
- Middle atmosphere measurements using radar, lidar, aircraft, and satellite remote sensing.
Main Results:
- Interplanetary dust input estimates range from 100-300 tonnes/day (remote sensing) to 5-50 tonnes/day (middle atmosphere).
- Discrepancies suggest either faster-than-expected atmospheric transport or a need to revise solar system dust evolution models.
- Ablated metals from cosmic dust form atmospheric layers, influence noctilucent clouds, stratospheric aerosols, and ocean fertilization.
Conclusions:
- The significant discrepancy in cosmic dust input estimates necessitates further research into atmospheric transport mechanisms.
- Understanding cosmic dust's role is crucial for accurately modeling atmospheric chemistry, climate change, and potential geo-engineering impacts.
- Cosmic dust deposition influences atmospheric phenomena from noctilucent cloud formation to ocean biogeochemistry.
Related Concept Videos
01:22The Sulfur Cycle
Sulfur, an important element in the chemical makeup of proteins, is recycled through the atmosphere and aquatic and terrestrial environments. Found in the atmosphere as sulfur dioxide (SO2), sulfur is released by decaying organisms, weathered rocks, geothermal vents, volcanos, and burning fossil fuels. It is deposited into the ecosystem, cycled through the biotic community, and either released back into the atmosphere as gas or deposited in marine sediment for long-term storage and eventual...
01:14The Carbon Cycle
Carbon is the basis of all organic matter on Earth, and is recycled through the ecosystem in two primary processes: one in which carbon is exchanged among living organisms, and one in which carbon is cycled over long periods of time through fossilized organic remains, weathering of rocks, and volcanic activity. Human activities, including increased agricultural practices and the burning of fossil fuels, has greatly affected the balance of the natural carbon cycle.
01:17Radiation: Applications
The average temperature of Earth is the subject of much current discussion. Earth is in radiative contact with both the Sun and dark space; it receives almost all its energy from the radiation of the Sun and reflects some of it into outer space. Dark space is very cold, about 3 K, so Earth radiates energy into it. For instance, heat transfer occurs from soil and grasses, the rate of which can be so rapid that frost can occur on clear summer evenings, even in warm latitudes.
The average...
The average...
01:20Momentum And Radiation Pressure
An object absorbing an electromagnetic wave would experience a force in the direction of propagation of the wave. This force occurs because electromagnetic waves contain and transport momentum. The force accounts for the wave's radiation pressure exerted on the object. Maxwell's prediction was confirmed in 1903 by Nichols and Hull by precisely measuring radiation pressures with a torsion balance. The measuring instrument had mirrors suspended from a fiber kept inside a glass container. Nichols...
01:09Radiation Pressure: Problem Solving
The radiation pressure applied by an electromagnetic wave on a perfectly absorbing surface equals the energy density of the wave. The wave's momentum also gets transferred to the surface when an electromagnetic wave is entirely absorbed by it. The rate at which momentum is transmitted to an absorbing surface perpendicular to the propagation direction equals the force on the surface.
The average value of the rate of momentum transfer divided by the absorbing area represents the average force per...
The average value of the rate of momentum transfer divided by the absorbing area represents the average force per...
02:06Conditions on Early Earth
Around 4 billion years ago, oceans began to condense on earth while volcanic eruptions released nitrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia, and hydrogen into the primordial atmosphere. However, organisms with the characteristics of life were not initially present on earth. Scientists have used experimentation to determine how organisms evolved that could grow, reproduce, and maintain an internal environment.