
The sky is burning: Elucidating brown carbon composition using CSI:FingerID
Brown carbon, arising from the combustion of organic matter, exerts a significant influence on atmospheric radiation and global climate. To fully comprehend its impact on atmospheric processes, a thorough characterization of the light-absorbing brown carbon molecules is imperative. Using CSI:FingerID, researchers have successfully annotated 100 brown carbon chromophores, 33 of which have never been reported before. Through the identification and characterization of these chromophores in diverse atmospheric samples, we gain invaluable insights into their origins, behavior, and the profound implications they have on radiative forcing, cloud formation, and the intricate web of global climate change.