Dozens of institutions join expansive Southern U.S. air quality study

The National Center for Atmospheric Research is taking part in one of the largest U.S. air quality studies in decades, according to a release. The center will help with the Southern Oxidant and Aerosol Study and most of their monitoring will take place in the southeastern U.S.

SOAS is part of a larger effort, called the Southeast Atmosphere Study, which is supported by organizations including the EPA, NOAA and nearly 30 research institutions. The SOAS project will run through July 15.

The investigation into air quality in the Southeast will look to discover interactions between the atmosphere and biosphere that are key to air chemistry and climate change. It will also look to find out why the Southeast, unlike much of the world, is experiencing a cooling trend.

Image: Scientists study air chemistry during the Southeast Atmosphere Study. (Credit: National Center for Atmospheric Research)