About this Research Topic
Articles published in the first edition of this series can be read and downloaded here – The Isotope Geochemistry of Air Contaminants: Sources, Processes, and Analytical Techniques
It has now clearly been established that atmospheric contaminants either in gas, liquid, or particulate forms, affect our climate, ecosystems, and human health, especially in populated areas where they are generally present in higher concentrations. Accordingly, substantial research has been carried out during the last decades, focusing on trying to better understand their sources and fate. Among the different methodologies that can be employed, geochemistry has demonstrated its added value. When combined with other classical approaches, it usually allows one to unambiguously discriminate the emission sources of distinct origins and/or to identify and characterize the specific processes that affect their fate in the atmosphere.
Humans are now facing the critical challenge of preserving air quality from contamination induced by anthropogenic point and diffuse sources. Addressing this challenge will require a holistic system approach by addressing new issues and emerging contaminants, as well as embedded multiple exposures to ultimately be able to achieve a comprehensive environmental and human health risk assessment.
In this Research Topic, we aim to fill gaps in the application of geochemistry (including measurements of radioactive and stable isotopes ratios of trace elements and organic components) in environmental research by welcoming original studies on developing applications in air contaminant characterization, pollution, environmental changes, as well as modeling or empirical studies aimed at improving our mechanistic understanding of short- and long-term chemical/isotope variations in global atmospheric systems. Submission of inter- and multidisciplinary original research and review papers is also encouraged. Themes of interest include:
• Emerging topics dealing with air quality vulnerability and human impact, including the geochemistry of emerging and chemical contaminants
• Advances in analytical techniques to monitor and identify sources and processes controlling the budget of air contaminants
• Advances in atmospheric process and atmospheric models for investigating air quality vulnerability to human impact using geochemical approaches
• Analysis of urban growth consequences for air contaminant emissions and management
• Remote sensing applications for air quality vulnerability assessment based on the use of geochemistry
It has now clearly been established that atmospheric contaminants either in gas, liquid, or particulate forms, affect our climate, ecosystems, and human health, especially in populated areas where they are generally present in higher concentrations. Accordingly, substantial research has been carried out during the last decades, focusing on trying to better understand their sources and fate. Among the different methodologies that can be employed, geochemistry has demonstrated its added value. When combined with other classical approaches, it usually allows one to unambiguously discriminate the emission sources of distinct origins and/or to identify and characterize the specific processes that affect their fate in the atmosphere.
Humans are now facing the critical challenge of preserving air quality from contamination induced by anthropogenic point and diffuse sources. Addressing this challenge will require a holistic system approach by addressing new issues and emerging contaminants, as well as embedded multiple exposures to ultimately be able to achieve a comprehensive environmental and human health risk assessment.
In this Research Topic, we aim to fill gaps in the application of geochemistry (including measurements of radioactive and stable isotopes ratios of trace elements and organic components) in environmental research by welcoming original studies on developing applications in air contaminant characterization, pollution, environmental changes, as well as modeling or empirical studies aimed at improving our mechanistic understanding of short- and long-term chemical/isotope variations in global atmospheric systems. Submission of inter- and multidisciplinary original research and review papers is also encouraged. Themes of interest include:
• Emerging topics dealing with air quality vulnerability and human impact, including the geochemistry of emerging and chemical contaminants
• Advances in analytical techniques to monitor and identify sources and processes controlling the budget of air contaminants
• Advances in atmospheric process and atmospheric models for investigating air quality vulnerability to human impact using geochemical approaches
• Analysis of urban growth consequences for air contaminant emissions and management
• Remote sensing applications for air quality vulnerability assessment based on the use of geochemistry
Keywords: geochemistry, contaminants, air quality, sources, processes, analytical techniques, emerging contaminants, modeling, pollutant, aerosols
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.
