University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH) with the Space and Aeronautics Department would like to invite lecturers, researchers, experts, students and others to participate in the Seminar “The SOOT-SEA initiative: Neglected impacts of air pollution on climate and health”, with Dr. Xavier Mari, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO), French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD).
Time: 10:00 AM, Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Location: Room 502, 5th floor, A21 Building, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Ha Noi
Black Carbon (BC; or soot) is the product of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuels and biomass. BC makes up the majority of fine particle air pollution, and is the leading cause of poor health and premature death. BC also impacts climate by: exerting a direct net positive radiative forcing at the top-of-the atmosphere equivalent to ~40% of that of CO2; influencing cloud formation/properties and rainfall patterns; and reducing the albedo of the cryosphere when deposited on ice and snow, hence increasing melting rate.
In addition to the atmospheric effects of BC described above, there are other impacts related to the introduction of BC in the ocean. The atmospheric lifetime of BC is short, and BC eventually deposits on the surface of lands and oceans. Considering that most BC ends up in the ocean, it is important to understand how this material impacts marine systems. Once in the ocean, BC may alter: the efficiency of the biological carbon pump and hence induce climate feedbacks; nutrient cycling and hence surface ocean productivity; the cycling of contaminants in seawater and either introduce them into the food chain, hence alter food security, or export them to the seafloor, hence cleanse the water column.
With a wealth of experience working in the field of marine environment, Dr. Mari will present the SOOT-SEA initiative, which seeks to stimulate research, innovation, observation and activities related to the impacts of BC on climate, health and ecosystem.
Dr. Xavier Mari has been on assignment at USTH and IMER (Institute of Marine Environment and Resources, Haiphong) since August 2018. He is author or co-author of nearly 50 scientific papers published in international journals related to environment and oceanography.
