Scientists consider to cool the planet with diamond

    Climate scientistsIn order to cool the planet came up with a lot of advanced methods, but a study recently published in the "Nature" reveals the craziest idea in human history: the diamond particles are sprayed into the atmosphere.

Over the years, researchers have been discussing the liquid sulfate to the sky to reflect and diffuse solar radiation, which essentially is an imitation of a volcanic eruption caused the Earth to cool.

A team of scientists from Harvard University, said the use of nano-sized particles of dust might be more secure and stable. Diamond or nanoscale alumina particles may be more effective than sulfates, and less damage to the environment. althoughDIAMONDParticles expensive, but researchers believe it is not entirely impossible.

Previously, researchers have proposed the use of solid dust. But those of different, this new study is the first to detect them in the atmosphere interact with different substances (including physical and chemical effects), and compare with sulphate. In the atmosphere, sulfates will produce sulfuric acid, ozone depletion; by absorbing specific wavelengths of light, they also make the lower stratosphere warming, in turn affect atmospheric circulation and climate; sulfates can also produce diffuse scattering, affect plant growth. But atmospheric modeling experts at Harvard University, one of the authors of the study Debra Eisenstein said alumina and diamond powder fewer problems caused by their impact on the ozone layer is very small, the effect is not stratospheric warming Obviously, it will not significantly increase the diffuse scattering surface of the Earth.

In addition to analyzing the environmental impact, the article also showed that the same quality can be achieved with aluminum sulfate powder spray considerable cooling effect and the effect of the diamond powder at least 50%.

Of course, diamond powder sprayed into space cost is higher. The researchers noted,Diamond powderCutting costs is lower than diamond, synthetic diamond particles tiny now less than $ 100 per kilogram. However, according to their findings, to offset the greenhouse gas emissions from human beings, need several hundred thousand tons annually spray powder, the cost is considerable.

As a result, the research team's focus remains alumina.

However, scientists warn, either alumina or diamond nanoparticles will bring unknown risks.