About this Research Topic
Due to the ability to spread in the atmosphere, air pollution is considered a global and alarming phenomenon and has a significant impact on global climate, environment and human health. The Tibetan Plateau is sparsely populated and has little human activity; its atmospheric and cryospheric environment are thus relatively pristine and highly sensitive to atmospheric emission. In recent years, the atmospheric environment of central and western China has undergone profound changes related to significant industrial and economic growth. Considering the sensitivity of the cryosphere to atmospheric composition, atmospheric emissions from the abovementioned region can potentially impact the cryosphere of the Tibetan Plateau region. Despite much research focused on the production and transport of pollutants in South Asia, relatively few studies have concerned the atmospheric and environmental changes occurring in central and western China and their impacts on the Tibetan Plateau cryosphere. The present Research Topic aims to solicit contributions to investigating the cryosphere (glaciers and snow) related to atmospheric pollution and contamination. A particular focus is given to the Tibetan Plateau, but studies concerning similar environmental and geographical settings are highly welcome, such as European Alps and the Arctic.
The goal of this Research Topic is to collect studies improving our understanding of the impacts of the atmospheric and environmental changes in urban areas on the cryosphere of remote regions, with a particular focus on the cryosphere of the Tibetan Plateau, surrounded by heavily industrialized and inhabited regions. We highly welcome contributions focused on the transport routes and sources of atmospheric pollution toward glaciated areas as well as studies dedicated to the characterization of cryosphere-related samples (ice, snow, cryoconite) to monitor the environmental quality of glacial and peri-glacial areas. The Research Topic will provide a basis for predicting the future connections between the climate, human activities, and the cryospheric environment.
This Research Topic is proposed to provide a platform for researchers to address the following topics:
Changes of the atmospheric environment in cities and suburbs in the global range in relation to the pollution transport toward remote glaciated areas:
• Studies on the changes of atmospheric dust release and transport process and parameters of various components in the atmosphere
• Changes in atmospheric temperature, humidity and pressure
• Changes in wind speed and direction
• Albedo changes in the atmosphere
Changes of the atmospheric environment over the Tibetan Plateau, European Alps, and the Arctic and its surrounding remote areas:
• Pollutant aerosol, dust activity changes
• Influence of atmospheric physical process
• Albedo changes
The ecological environmental impact and effect of atmospheric environment change:
• The environmental impact of atmospheric pollutant deposition, migration and transformation in urban areas and remote areas
Innovation of research methods:
• The application of new technology, improvement of sampling equipment and analysis methods
The goal of this Research Topic is to collect studies improving our understanding of the impacts of the atmospheric and environmental changes in urban areas on the cryosphere of remote regions, with a particular focus on the cryosphere of the Tibetan Plateau, surrounded by heavily industrialized and inhabited regions. We highly welcome contributions focused on the transport routes and sources of atmospheric pollution toward glaciated areas as well as studies dedicated to the characterization of cryosphere-related samples (ice, snow, cryoconite) to monitor the environmental quality of glacial and peri-glacial areas. The Research Topic will provide a basis for predicting the future connections between the climate, human activities, and the cryospheric environment.
This Research Topic is proposed to provide a platform for researchers to address the following topics:
Changes of the atmospheric environment in cities and suburbs in the global range in relation to the pollution transport toward remote glaciated areas:
• Studies on the changes of atmospheric dust release and transport process and parameters of various components in the atmosphere
• Changes in atmospheric temperature, humidity and pressure
• Changes in wind speed and direction
• Albedo changes in the atmosphere
Changes of the atmospheric environment over the Tibetan Plateau, European Alps, and the Arctic and its surrounding remote areas:
• Pollutant aerosol, dust activity changes
• Influence of atmospheric physical process
• Albedo changes
The ecological environmental impact and effect of atmospheric environment change:
• The environmental impact of atmospheric pollutant deposition, migration and transformation in urban areas and remote areas
Innovation of research methods:
• The application of new technology, improvement of sampling equipment and analysis methods
Keywords: Atmospheric environment changes, Aerosols and land surface, remote sensing, Tibetan Plateau, European Alps, Arctic Environment, urban and suburbs and remote areas
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
