Smog could 'delay' global warming, say scientists

Chinese experts claimed that smog can delay global warming because the particles help oceans absorb carbon dioxide.

The smog does nothing aside from damaging people's health and the terrestrial ecosystem, Li Weijun, a professor at Shandong University, and Shi Zongbo, a researcher at the University of Birmingham, told the Science and Technology Daily on Monday.

Li said that scientists have believed for a long time that the acid produced by human activity and emissions can allow the insoluble iron oxide to convert into soluble iron, and if the particle settles on the surface of the ocean, it can allow the organisms on the surface of the ocean to effectively use iron and encourage the growth of marine microorganism.

The process can store more carbon dioxide in the ocean and delay the global warming process, said Li, adding that previously there was no evidence to prove that the acid substance helps insoluble iron content convert into soluble. However, scientists found particles produced by steel factories and coal factories in the Yellow Sea region contain iron substances and are surrounded by sulfate. The sulfate surface contains soluble iron, which provides "solid evidence" for the theory.