My Fearless Idea Confirmed Storms Spread Pollution
The College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences has always been driven by fearless science. Reaching back more than a half-century, the college highlighted some of the most exciting scientific discoveries made by its faculty members. One of those discoveries was from Russell Dickerson, currently a professor of atmospheric and oceanic science at UMD.
In 1987, Dickerson led a study on air pollution published in the journal Science. The team was the first to demonstrate that large thunderstorms can launch pollution molecules nearly 9 miles above Earth's surface. At this altitude—above most clouds and all but the largest of storms—pollution survives for much longer and can travel miles away from its source.
