Times of India: Is the chemical reaction involving radical-molecule complexes responsible for climate changes? If experts are to be believed, the better understanding of structure and reactivity of radical-molecule complexes can provide deep insight into various atmospheric phenomenons, including ozone depletion (global warming), acid rain and climate changes.
“The recent studies focusing on understanding of chemical processes at molecular level in the atmosphere are promising to come up with development of accurate global climate models. This would also take into account the global phenomenon including cloud formation and depletion of ozone layer, responsible for global warming across the world,” said Prof Joseph Francisco, department of chemistry, Purdue University (US) while inaugurating the four-day second international workshop on ‘spectroscopic signatures of molecular complexes/ions in our atmosphere and beyond’, jointly organized by UP Autonomous College in collaboration with Department of Applied Physics, IT-BHU on Tuesday.
Making presentation on his recent research studies on the structure and reactivity of radical-molecule complexes, the former president of American Chemical Society emphasized that studies had revealed interesting distractions from traditional chemical reactions, providing a new frontier in atmospheric chemistry. A reversal of trend was found in radical-molecule complex involving water molecules as droplets during formation of clouds. Unlike traditional chemical reactions which get faster with rising temperature, the complex reaction in atmosphere was actually getting slower with rise in temperature. Attributing the phenomenon to formation of more water molecules at low temperature, he also added that studies had provided a better understanding of cloud formation besides explaining how clouds perform cleansing effect in the atmosphere.
Saying that field measurements have shown that transport of aerosols in the atmosphere was linked to free radical concentrations, the senior scientist stressed that radicals have been found to interact with aerosols. “It will be interesting to know as to how clouds perturb the chemistry of atmosphere. It is also an area to explore for the atmospheric scientists, astrophysicist and other scientists,” he added.
Earlier, workshop convener Vipin Bahadur Singh of UP Autonomous College detailed about the aim and objective of the workshop. He also emphasized that molecular complexes that contain water have great potential to alter the radioactive balance, chemistry of our climate and atmosphere. Prof JN Sinha, director, IT-BHU said “very little has been known about the atmosphere and a lot of studies and research are needed to explore the world that affects mankind.”
A number of senior faculty members including Dr Gulab Singh, principal, UP College, Prof. ON Singh, head, department of applied physics, IT-BHU and others were also present on the occasion.
