August 17, 2012

Accidental breakthrough on the puzzle of atmospheric acids




In a classic example of an accidental scientific breakthrough a University of Sydney research team may have solved the mystery of why there is more non-industrial acid in air than anyone can explain.

"We did not set out to solve the longstanding question of why the atmosphere has twice as many acids produced by plants - that is organic acids - than scientists have previously been able to account for," said the University's Professor Scott Kable.