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2. The GoAmazon campaign in Brazil has provided important data on atmospheric science.
3. The campaign has led to over 160 papers, with a focus on aerosols, human influences on the atmosphere, and cloud formation.
In Brazil, data collected over ten years have been influential in atmospheric science, particularly in understanding the effects of human activities on the atmosphere. The Amazon rainforest serves as a natural laboratory due to its relatively unpolluted air and isolation from industrialization. The Green Ocean Amazon (GoAmazon2014/15) field campaign conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy gathered valuable data near Manaus, the largest city in the region, to study aerosols and atmospheric processes.
Researchers found that natural emissions from the forest, particularly isoprene, play a significant role in aerosol formation. Human activities in Manaus, such as the emission of nitrogen oxides, interact with natural emissions, leading to a significant increase in aerosol formation and influencing cloud formation. By studying these interactions, scientists have gained insights into the impact of human-driven emissions on the atmosphere and weather patterns above the Amazon.
The GoAmazon campaign provided valuable experience for early career scientists, enabling them to conduct innovative research and improve models that simulate interactions between aerosols, clouds, and the Earth’s surface. By analyzing the data collected during the campaign, scientists are advancing their understanding of how natural processes in the Amazon interact with human influences, leading to new insights in atmospheric science.