What are aerosols in the atmosphere?

Anything in the form of tiny particles that can float in the atmosphere is an aerosol. This can be fine drops of liquid, like water vapour, or particles of dust, as are thrown up by a volcano erupting.

Common aerosols in the atmosphere are:

• Inorganic: dust, smoke, sea salt, water
• Organic: pollen, spores, bacteria
• Anthropogenic (man-made): smoke, ash, dust (from burning), aerosol spray can emissions, cigarette smoke, soot from car exhausts.