Smog over Mexico City (IMAGE)

American Geophysical Union

Smog over Mexico City

Caption

In the lower atmosphere, sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides, methane and other volatile organic molecules to produce ozone. At this level of the atmosphere, ozone acts as a pollutant, rather than a protectant, as shown in this aerial photo of Mexico City. New research shows that if emission rates continue unchecked, some regions of the United States could experience between three and nine additional days per year of unhealthy ozone levels by 2050.

Credit

Credit: Fidel Gonzalez via Wikimedia Commons. <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AerialViewMexicoCity.jpg" target="_blank">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AerialViewMexicoCity.jpg</a>

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See <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AerialViewMexicoCity.jpg" target="_blank">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AerialViewMexicoCity.jpg</a>

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