Aeroszolos

Aeroszolos are suspensions of fine solid or liquid particles in a gas, usually air. Particle sizes span from a few nanometers up to tens of micrometers, and they can remain suspended for varying times depending on size and atmospheric conditions.

Composition includes mineral dust, sea salt, organic matter, soot, sulfates, nitrates, and biological material. Natural sources include dust storms, volcanic eruptions, and ocean spray, while human activities such as fossil fuel combustion, biomass burning, industrial processes, and agriculture contribute through direct emissions and chemical reactions that form secondary aerosols.

Aeroszolos are characterized by number concentration, mass concentration (for example PM2.5 and PM10), and optical properties. They affect climate by scattering and absorbing sunlight and by serving as cloud condensation nuclei. Health effects are associated with inhalation, particularly for fine particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and may enter the bloodstream, contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular disease.

Applications include inhalation therapies and drug delivery, spray technologies, and various industrial processes. Policy and regulatory frameworks monitor aerosols as part of air quality standards, with limits on PM2.5 and PM10 to reduce adverse health and environmental impacts. Research areas include aerosol chemistry, transport, aging, and interactions with climate and clouds.