Increasing temperatures of the atmosphere and the surface of the earth are also warming the sea. Areas of low air pressure form over the overheated sea, which can turn into cyclones or even hurricanes even in moderate latitudes. Strong winds pick up desert sand, dust, black carbon, and other particles in North Africa, lift them high into the air, even over 3 or 4,000 meters, and push them northward. These heat wave phenomena are becoming more frequent and intense. In Mediterranean countries, the Alps and Central Europe, they cause high temperatures, poor visibility and an unhealthy environment. They cover the glaciers with a dark carpet, which further accelerates the melting and accelerated disappearance.
Flying with light aircraft over Mediterranean, West Africa and South Atlantic is real challenge. Large uninhabited and remote areas of Sahara and Ocean, demanding logistics, bad weather, turbulence, fuel delivery, demanding overflights and landings permissions, unpredictable costs ... There is no doubt a truer research adventure.
Measurements over large unpopulated areas of Western Sahara and Atlantic ocean in particular will help us understanding the background concentrations of Black Carbon and other carbonaceous pollutants and their contribution to climate change.
The planet Earth is getting warmer.
Black Carbon adds more than 1 W/m2 to the greenhouse effect.
Black Carbon is the second-largest contributor to global warming after CO2.
7 million people worldwide die every year due to air pollution.
Sea level is rising fast.