befoulment knows no border , so preserve an oculus on the sources of toxic air requires a global perspective . To do so , NASA has been using Aura , a advanced ballistic capsule that study the dispersion and concentration of atomic number 16 dioxide in the atmosphere .

Using data from Aura , researcher from Environment and Climate Change Canada , NASA and two university have discover 39 previously unreported sources of sulfur dioxide that are responsible for 6.3 to 12.7 million tonnes ( 7 to 14 million tons ) of the dangerous chemical substance every year   –   about 6 to 12 percent of all man - made emissions worldwide .

One - third of these author   –   usually ember plants , smelter and refineries   –   are located around the Persian Gulf , as well as Mexico , Russia and other areas in the developing world . The discrepancy of what has been reported and what has now been valuate might have an impact on both a regional and global level .

" We now have an independent measuring of these emission sources that does not rely on what was bang or thought known , " said Chris McLinden , lead author of the study , in astatement .

The scientists also nail 75 raw informant of sulfur dioxide   –   non - erupting volcano that are tardily leaking S dioxide into the atmosphere . Using Aura to monitor volcanoes is very advantageous . Most of them are in remote locations and can not easily be monitor on a regular basis on landed estate . The research is publish this week inNature Geoscience .

Sulfur dioxide is an improbably dangerous pollutant . When liberate into the air , it react with water and oxygen to form sulphuric acid , and with other substances to mould atmospheric particulate . These substances can conduct to dire consequences for human wellness , the environs , and the economy .

Thanks to   freshly developed software , the squad were able-bodied to track how the pollutant is spread and adulterate by the current of air . This data can be used not just for tracking , but also for better manufacture our climate models .

" The unique reward of satellite data is spacial insurance coverage , " say Bryan Duncan , an atmospheric scientist at NASA ’s Goddard . " This paper is the perfect demonstration of how new and improvedsatellite datasets , pair with novel and improved information analysis techniques , allow us to name even belittled pollutant sources and to quantify these discharge over the world . "