CARE-C Researchers Uncover Missing Link in Climate Science: The Role of Amines in Aerosol Formation
An overview study by Dr. Vijay Kanawade from the Climate and Atmosphere Research Center (CARE-C) at the Cyprus Institute (CyI) sheds new light on the role of atmospheric bases, especially amines, in airborne aerosol production, a key process influencing air quality, cloud formation, and climate change. Published in Communications Earth & Environment, this study marks the first scientific publication from the European Research Council (ERC)-funded project, The Role of Bases in Aerosol Formation (BAE) led by Associate Professor Dr Tuija Jokinen.
Amines, nitrogen-containing organic compounds, have been largely overlooked in global climate models despite their significant impact on aerosol formation and growth. The study highlights how even minute concentrations of amines can enhance new particle formation rates by more than a thousand-fold compared to ammonia, making them a critical but underrepresented component of Earth’s atmospheric chemistry. While it is well established that trace amounts of bases significantly boost particle formation, direct measurements of these molecules remain scarce, often inconsistent, and hindered by high detection limits. This gap in field observations underscores the urgent need for improved measurement techniques to accurately capture their role in the atmosphere.
“This research emphasizes the need for improved measurement techniques and greater global attention to the role of amines in climate systems,” said Dr. Tuija Jokinen, lead author and researcher at the Cyprus Institute’s Climate and Atmosphere Research Center and Head of its Aerosol Formation Group. “Understanding these processes is essential for refining climate models and predicting future atmospheric changes.”
The findings underscore the necessity of advanced, high-precision detection methods to capture the elusive presence of amines and their interactions with other atmospheric components. As the BAE project progresses, CyI researchers will continue investigating the complex mechanisms behind aerosol formation, bridging critical knowledge gaps in climate science.
For more information, visit https://www.cyi.ac.cy/ or contact Associate Research Scientist, Dr Vijay Kanawade on v.kanawade@cyi.ac.cy
This study was developed within the context of the BAE project. Funded by the European Union ERC-2022-STGERC-BAE-Project: 101076311 Kanawade, V.P., Jokinen, T. Atmospheric amines are a crucial yet missing link in Earth’s climate via airborne aerosol production. Commun Earth Environ 6, 98 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02063-0
