Indian scientists begin aerosol count

[dArKeR]

Bangalore, India - The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said on Wednesday it had launched a project to measure the extent of fine particles known as aerosols in the country's atmosphere.

"Vehicles fitted with sophisticated instruments will measure physical, chemical and optical properties of aerosols and trace gases along the road corridors," the country's premier space agency said in a statement.

During the first phase, about 6 000km in southern India will be covered, ISRO said.

Volcanoes, dust storms, forest and grassland fires, living vegetation and sea spray throw up aerosols, as does the burning of fossil fuels.

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