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What substance is generally injected into the stratosphere in Stratospheric Aerosol Intervention (SAI)?
  • a)
    Carbon dioxide (CO2)
  • b)
    Nitrous oxide (N2O)
  • c)
    Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
  • d)
    Oxygen (O2)
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
What substance is generally injected into the stratosphere in Stratosp...
A recent study looked at the impact of stratospheric aerosol intervention (SAI) in mitigating global warming effects in West Asia (also known as Middle East) and North Africa (MENA).
About Stratospheric Aerosol Intervention (SAI):
  • Stratospheric Aerosol Intervention (SAI), also known as Stratospheric Aerosol Injection, is a geoengineering or climate engineering approach that uses tiny reflective particles or aerosols to reflect sunlight into space in order to cool the planet and reverse or stop global warming.
  • It aims to mimic the cooling effects of volcanic eruptions by injecting sulfur dioxide (SO2) directly into the stratosphere, where it forms sunlight-reflecting sulfate aerosols. 
  • The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, often cited as the inspiration for this concept, deposited massive amounts of particulate matter and sulfur dioxide (SO2) into the atmosphere.
  • This aerosol layer was reported to have lowered average temperatures around the world by about 0.5 °C (0.9 °F) over the following few years. 
  • It is believed that as more radiation is scattered in the stratosphere by aerosols, less would be absorbed by the troposphere, the lower level of the atmosphere where weather primarily occurs.
  • The production of such an artificial aerosol layer could be accomplished by shooting sulfur particles into the stratosphere with cannons or dispersing them from balloons or other aircraft.
Hence option c is the correct answer.
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What substance is generally injected into the stratosphere in Stratosp...

Substance Used in Stratospheric Aerosol Intervention (SAI):

Stratospheric Aerosol Intervention (SAI) is a proposed method to artificially cool the Earth by injecting aerosols into the stratosphere to reflect sunlight and reduce global warming. The substance generally injected into the stratosphere in SAI is sulfur dioxide (SO2).

Explanation:

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2):
- Sulfur dioxide is commonly used in SAI because it reacts with water vapor in the stratosphere to form sulfate aerosols.
- These aerosols act as a reflective barrier, blocking a portion of the sunlight from reaching the Earth's surface, thus reducing the overall temperature.
- Sulfur dioxide is chosen for its ability to form stable and long-lasting aerosols in the stratosphere.

Effects of Sulfur Dioxide Injection:
- The injection of sulfur dioxide in the stratosphere can potentially offset the warming effects of greenhouse gases by reflecting sunlight back into space.
- It can help in reducing global temperatures and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
- However, there are concerns about the potential side effects of SAI, such as ozone depletion and changes in precipitation patterns.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, sulfur dioxide is the substance generally injected into the stratosphere in Stratospheric Aerosol Intervention (SAI) due to its ability to form stable aerosols that reflect sunlight and help in cooling the Earth. While SAI shows promise in combating global warming, further research and careful consideration of its potential consequences are necessary before implementation.
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What substance is generally injected into the stratosphere in Stratospheric Aerosol Intervention (SAI)?a)Carbon dioxide (CO2)b)Nitrous oxide (N2O)c)Sulfur dioxide (SO2)d)Oxygen (O2)Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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