Newswise — Fort Lauderdale, Fla. - “Climate change is one of the most pressing issues that challenge the sustainability of a global environment and society” says Nova Southeastern University Associate Professor Song Gao, Ph.D. Scientists know that aerosols—such as dust, smog, and smoke—have an impact on air quality, human health, and ecosystem balance.
According to Gao, atmospheric particulate matter (aerosols) pose one of the largest uncertainties in accurately assessing the mechanisms and future trends of climate change, thereby affecting policy making. Aerosols also play key roles in affecting air quality and public health, along with other environmental factors. For example says Gao, “they contribute to changes in global climate that may have a multitude of environmental consequences such as rising sea levels, which threaten coastal areas like Florida”.
Gao examines the chemical, physical properties and formation mechanisms of aerosols, via field sampling, instrumental analyses and lab simulation studies.
His ongoing projects aim to understand air pollution sources including dust from Africa and plume from cruise ships, identify contaminants in local waters (e.g., EDCs), assess toxicological (mutagenic, etc.) effects of aerosol components (e.g., PAHs), and apply green chemistry principles to environmental monitoring and policies.
Song Gao’s, Ph.D., areas of expertise include atmospheric chemistry, environmental analytical chemistry, aerosol formation mechanisms, impact of aerosols on climate change, and the application of green chemistry to environmental systems.
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