Science
Did you know that storms can carry dust particles, or particulate matter, all the way around the globe? Particulate matter makes up a significant portion of the atmosphere and has wide-ranging effects on human health, solar radiation and greenhouse gases. Vicki Grassian, winner of the ACS Award for Creative Advances in Environmental Science and Technology, helps scientists better understand the complex and wide ranging behavior of dust particles. Vicki's work paints a clearer picture of atmospheric chemistry and the role particulate matter plays in the environment. Just like her subject, her research has global reach.