What is the role of aerosols in the Namibian fog, and the Namib desert biogeochemistry?

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5 novembre 2023

Namibia is characterised by some of the most extreme climate regimes ranging from the cold Benguela Current to the hyper-arid coastal deserts of the Namib region. Fog and low-clouds are typical features, affecting the coast and inland up to about 60-100 km, where they have a higher contribution to the total water volume than rainfall, which is very episodic.

In May and September, PEGASUS will be mobilised to Namibia for two new field campaigns 2024 aiming to understand the impact of aerosol particles on the formation and composition of the Namibian fog, the redistribution of nutrients and pollutants, and the sustainability of the regional ecosystems.

The Aerosols and fog in southern Africa: processes and impact on biogeochemistry (AEROFOG) project is is funded by the French ANR and the German DFG, and it is contributed by LISA (FR), LCE (FR), TROPOS (DE), KIT (DE), NWU (RSA), the Gobabeb Namib Research Institute (NAM) and the SANUMARC Research Center (NAM).

Plus d'actualités

Three new publications from the ACROSS campaign in June !

June 2025 is a prolific month for PEGASUS! Three new publications based on data from the ACROSS campaign have appeared on the ACROSS special issue. Andersen et al. : « Short-lived organic nitrates in a suburban temperate forest: an indication of efficient assimilation of reactive nitrogen by the biosphere? » Pereira et al. : « Molecular characterization of […]

The French Ambassador in Namibia visits PEGASUS during AEROFOG

The PEGASUS and AEROFOG teams had the pleasure to welcome Madame Cécile Vigneau, Ambassador of France in Namibia, at the Gobabeb Namib Research Center. Madame the Ambassador was introduced to the scientific objectives of the AEROFOG projetc and the technical challenges of measuring aerosol particles and reactive gases in such a remote environment.

Visit of the Windhoek International School at PEGASUS

As part of the Grade 7 field trip, students from the Windhoek International School visited the AEROFOG teams, PEGASUS and its instrumentation. A good way of learning how science contributes to the understanding and the conservation of our environment. And to remember that science is not just a subject, but a profession…. To know more […]

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