The Latin America Early Career Earth System Scientist Network (LAECESS): addressing present and future challenges of the upcoming generations of scientists in the region

Early career (EC) Earth system scientists in the Latin America and the Caribbean region (LAC) have been facing several issues, such as limited funding opportunities, substandard scientific facilities, lack of security of tenure, and unrepresented groups equality issues. On top of this, the worsening regional environmental and climatic crises call for the need for this new generation of scientists to help to tackle these crises by increasing public awareness and research. Realizing the need to converge and step up in making a collective action to be a part of the solution, the Latin America Early Career Earth System Scientist Network (LAECESS) was created in 2016. LAECESS’s primary goals are to promote regional networking, foster integrated and interdisciplinary science, organize soft skills courses and workshops, and empower Latin American EC researchers. This article is an initial step towards letting the global science community grasp the current situation and hear the early career LAC science community’s perspectives. The paper also presents a series of future steps needed for better scientific and social development in the LAC region

Molecular composition of organic aerosols in central Amazonia: An ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry study

The Amazon Basin plays key role in atmospheric chemistry, biodiversity and climate change. In this study we applied nanoelectrospray (nanoESI) ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHRMS) for the analysis of the organic fraction of PM2.5 aerosol samples collected during dry and wet seasons at a site in central Amazonia receiving background air masses, biomass burning and urban pollution. Comprehensive mass spectral data evaluation methods (e.g. Kendrick mass defect, Van Krevelen diagrams, carbon oxidation state and aromaticity equivalent) were used to identify compound classes and mass distributions of the detected species. Nitrogen-and/or sulfur-containing organic species contributed up to 60% of the total identified number of formulae. A large number of molecular formulae in organic aerosol (OA) were attributed to later-generation nitrogen-and sulfur-containing oxidation products, suggesting that OA composition is affected by biomass burning and other, potentially anthropogenic, sources. Isoprene-derived organosulfate (IEPOX-OS) was found to be the most dominant ion in most of the analysed samples and strongly followed the concentration trends of the gas-phase anthropogenic tracers confirming its mixed anthropogenic-biogenic origin. The presence of oxidised aromatic and nitro-aromatic compounds in the samples suggested a strong influence from biomass burning especially during the dry period. Aerosol samples from the dry period and under enhanced biomass burning conditions contained a large number of molecules with high carbon oxidation state and an increased number of aromatic compounds compared to that from the wet period. The results of this work demonstrate that the studied site is influenced not only by biogenic emissions from the forest but also by biomass burning and potentially other anthropogenic emissions from the neighbouring urban environments. © 2016 Author(s)

Soluble iron nutrients in Saharan dust over the central Amazon rainforest

The intercontinental transport of aerosols from the Sahara desert plays a significant role in nutrient cycles in the Amazon rainforest, since it carries many types of minerals to these otherwise low-fertility lands. Iron is one of the micronutrients essential for plant growth, and its long-range transport might be an important source for the iron-limited Amazon rainforest. This study assesses the bioavailability of iron Fe(II) and Fe(III) in the particulate matter over the Amazon forest, which was transported from the Sahara desert (for the sake of our discussion, this term also includes the Sahel region). The sampling campaign was carried out above and below the forest canopy at the ATTO site (Amazon Tall Tower Observatory), a near-pristine area in the central Amazon Basin, from March to April 2015. Measurements reached peak concentrations for soluble Fe(III) (48 ng m−3), Fe(II) (16 ng m−3), Na (470 ng m−3), Ca (194 ng m−3), K (65 ng m−3), and Mg (89 ng m−3) during a time period of dust transport from the Sahara, as confirmed by ground-based and satellite remote sensing data and air mass backward trajectories. Dust sampled above the Amazon canopy included primary biological aerosols and other coarse particles up to 12 µm in diameter. Atmospheric transport of weathered Saharan dust, followed by surface deposition, resulted in substantial iron bioavailability across the rainforest canopy. The seasonal deposition of dust, rich in soluble iron, and other minerals is likely to assist both bacteria and fungi within the topsoil and on canopy surfaces, and especially benefit highly bioabsorbent species. In this scenario, Saharan dust can provide essential macronutrients and micronutrients to plant roots, and also directly to plant leaves. The influence of this input on the ecology of the forest canopy and topsoil is discussed, and we argue that this influence would likely be different from that of nutrients from the weathered Amazon bedrock, which otherwise provides the main source of soluble mineral nutrients

Intra- and interannual changes in isoprene emission from central Amazonia

Isoprene emissions are a key component in biosphere-atmosphere interactions, and the most significant global source is the Amazon rainforest. However, intra- and interannual variations in biological and environmental factors that regulate isoprene emission from Amazonia are not well understood and, thereby, are poorly represented in models. Here, with datasets covering several years of measurements at the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO) in central Amazonia, Brazil, we (1) quantified canopy profiles of isoprene mixing ratios across seasons of normal and anomalous years and related them to the main drivers of isoprene emission - solar radiation, temperature, and leaf phenology; (2) evaluated the effect of leaf age on the magnitude of the isoprene emission factor (Es) from different tree species and scaled up to canopy with intra- and interannual leaf age distribution derived by a phenocam; and (3) adapted the leaf age algorithm from the Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature (MEGAN) with observed changes in Es across leaf ages. Our results showed that the variability in isoprene mixing ratios was higher between seasons (max during the dry-to-wet transition seasons) than between years, with values from the extreme 2015 El Niño year not significantly higher than in normal years. In addition, model runs considering in situ observations of canopy Es and the modification on the leaf age algorithm with leaf-level observations of Es presented considerable improvements in the simulated isoprene flux. This shows that MEGAN estimates of isoprene emission can be improved when biological processes are mechanistically incorporated into the model.This research was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, BMBF funds 01LB1001A; Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communication; FINEP/MCTIC contract 01.11.01248.00); UEA; FAPEAM; LBA/INPA; and SDS/CEUC/RDS-Uatumã. It was also supported by grant nos. NSF-PRFB-1711997 and NSF-1754163. The article processing charges for this open-access publication were covered by the Max Planck Society.Peer reviewe

The Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO): Overview of pilot measurements on ecosystem ecology, meteorology, trace gases, and aerosols

The Amazon Basin plays key roles in the carbon and water cycles, climate change, atmospheric chemistry, and biodiversity. It has already been changed significantly by human activities, and more pervasive change is expected to occur in the coming decades. It is therefore essential to establish long-term measurement sites that provide a baseline record of present-day climatic, biogeochemical, and atmospheric conditions and that will be operated over coming decades to monitor change in the Amazon region, as human perturbations increase in the future. The Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO) has been set up in a pristine rain forest region in the central Amazon Basin, about 150 km northeast of the city of Manaus. Two 80 m towers have been operated at the site since 2012, and a 325 m tower is nearing completion in mid-2015. An ecological survey including a biodiversity assessment has been conducted in the forest region surrounding the site. Measurements of micrometeorological and atmospheric chemical variables were initiated in 2012, and their range has continued to broaden over the last few years. The meteorological and micrometeorological measurements include temperature and wind profiles, precipitation, water and energy fluxes, turbulence components, soil temperature profiles and soil heat fluxes, radiation fluxes, and visibility. A tree has been instrumented to measure stem profiles of temperature, light intensity, and water content in cryptogamic covers. The trace gas measurements comprise continuous monitoring of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, and ozone at five to eight different heights, complemented by a variety of additional species measured during intensive campaigns (e.g., VOC, NO, NO2, and OH reactivity). Aerosol optical, microphysical, and chemical measurements are being made above the canopy as well as in the canopy space. They include aerosol light scattering and absorption, fluorescence, number and volume size distributions, chemical composition, cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations, and hygroscopicity. In this paper, we discuss the scientific context of the ATTO observatory and present an overview of results from ecological, meteorological, and chemical pilot studies at the ATTO site. © Author(s) 2015

Monitoramento de material particulado fino na cidade de Manaus para avaliação de potenciais riscos à saúde da população e caracterização de material particulado em ambiente de florestas (Atto - Amazonian tall tower observatory)- Amazonas, Brasil

Orientadora : Profª. Drª. Ana Flávia Locateli GodoiCo-orientador : Prof. Dr. Ricardo Henrique Moreton GodoiDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Tecnologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Recursos Hídricos e Ambiental. Defesa: Curitiba, 25/04/2014Inclui referênciasResumo: A qualidade do ar se configura na atualidade como objeto de pesquisa multidisciplinar devido aos potenciais impactos que os poluentes atmosféricos podem causar no ambiente e na saúde da população. Dentre os poluentes, o material particulado fino recebe atenção por seu poder de penetração no sistema respiratório, atingindo alvéolos e transportando partículas ácidas e metais pesados a este aderidos. Portanto, a caracterização química de partículas finas se torna imprescindível no estudo da qualidade do ar, atrelada à estimativa dos riscos à saúde da população. Estudos internacionais sobre poluentes atmosféricos evidenciam os riscos da exposição humana a esses, e ainda retratam a influência da atividade antrópica na periculosidade das partículas emitidas. No Brasil, o Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia (INCT) de Análise Integrada do Risco Ambiental iniciou em 2007 um monitoramento diário das partículas inaláveis finas nas regiões metropolitanas de Recife, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Curitiba e Porto Alegre de modo a avaliar a contribuição das emissões da frota automotiva no incremento dos índices de risco à saúde populacional. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho se apresenta como proposta de avaliação de tal correlação na cidade de Manaus, uma capital brasileira em expansão com a peculiaridade de estar inserida no bioma Amazônico, tendo a floresta como fronteira. A fim de investigar essa característica, que a diferencia dos demais cenários de amostragem do INCT supracitado, foram realizadas amostragens diárias de material particulado inalável fino numa região centralizada da capital amazonense, avaliando a concentração por meio de gravimetria, sua composição elementar utilizando fluorescência de Raios-X, a concentração de carbono negro que compõe a fuligem por meio de transmitância e refletância, e ainda a identificação e concentração de íons solúveis determinada por cromatografia de íons. No ambiente de floresta, partindo do pressuposto da presença de altos níveis de contribuição biogênica, além da amostragem e análise de partículas finas similares às do ambiente urbano, também foram amostradas partículas individuais, que foram identificadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Todas as amostragens iniciaram em outubro de 2011 e cessaram em outubro de 2013. Devido à forte sazonalidade na região, os dados foram analisados em função dos períodos de seca e chuva, de modo que eventos característicos, como queimadas por exemplo, pudessem ser efetivamente registrados. Na cidade de Manaus, os valores de concentração do MP2,5 não ultrapassam os registrados em outros estudos nem os preconizados pela legislação brasileira. Sua composição elementar não evidencia sal marinho ou poeira do continente africano, apenas indica influência de queimadas. Entre os íons solúveis há maior concentração de cloreto, sulfato e sódio. Alguns metais apresentam enriquecimento, evidenciando emissão antropogênica. A massa do MP indica baixo índice de mortalidade da população, 0,22%, mas sua composição elementar potencializa o aparecimento e/ou o agravamento de doenças crônicas. Em relação ao ambiente de floresta, todos os dados encontrados são em nível traço, devido às condições meteorológicas, à praticamente inexistência direta de ação antropogênica e à altura de amostragem, 80 m acima do nível do solo. As partículas individuais foram preliminarmente identificadas como material biogênico, orgânico e poeira.Abstract: Air quality is considered nowadays as an issue of multidisciplinary research due to the potential impacts that air pollutants may cause to environment and population health. Among the pollutants, fine particulate matter receives attention due to their penetrating power in the respiratory system, reaching the alveoli and possibly carrying acidic particles and heavy metals adhered to them. Therefore, the chemical characterization of fine particles becomes essential in air quality studies linked to population’s health estimated risks. International studies on air pollutants show the risks of human exposure to these and still portray the influence of anthropogenic activity on the dangerousness of the emitted particles. In Brazil, the National Institute of Science and Technology (INCT) of Environmental Risk’s Integrated Analysis began, in 2007, daily monitoring of fine inhalable particles in the metropolitan areas of Recife, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Curitiba and Porto Alegre in order to assess the contribution of automotive emissions in increasing levels of risk to population health. In this context, the present work aimed to evaluate such correlation in Manaus, a Brazilian capital under expansion, with the peculiarity of being inserted in the Amazon biome, with the forest as boundary. In order to explore such characteristic, which distinguishes it from other INCT scenarios, daily sampling of fine inhalable particulate matter were planned in a centralized area of the Amazonas capital to assess the concentration by gravimetry, elemental composition using X-ray fluorescence, the black carbon concentration of the soot by transmittance and reflectance, and also the concentration of soluble ions determined by Ion Chromatography. In the forest environment, assuming the high levels of biogenic contribution, single particles were sampled and analyzed by Scanning Electronic Microscopy, besides fine particles sampled and analyzed similarly to the urban environment. Sampling campaigns began in October 2011 and ended in October 2013. Due to strong seasonality in the region, data were analyzed according to the dry and rainy seasons. In Manaus city, the fine particulate matter concentration does not exceed those recorded in other studies or established in the national legislation. Its elemental composition does not show sea salt or dust from the African continent, only indicates the influence of fires. Among the soluble ions the greatest concentration are of chloride, sodium and sulfate. Some metals presented enrichment, indicating anthropogenic emissions. The particulate matter mass indicates a low population mortality rate, 0.22 %, but its elemental composition enhances the appearance and/or the aggravation of chronic diseases. Regarding the forest environment, all data are found in trace level due to meteorological conditions, the absence of direct anthropogenic action evidence and the sampling height: 80 m above ground level. The single particles were preliminarily identified as biogenic, organic and dust material

Monitoramento de material particulado fino na cidade de Manaus para avaliação de potenciais riscos à saúde da população e caracterização de material particulado em ambiente de florestas (Atto - Amazonian tall tower observatory)- Amazonas, Brasil

Orientadora : Profª. Drª. Ana Flávia Locateli GodoiCo-orientador : Prof. Dr. Ricardo Henrique Moreton GodoiDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Tecnologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Recursos Hídricos e Ambiental. Defesa: Curitiba, 25/04/2014Inclui referênciasResumo: A qualidade do ar se configura na atualidade como objeto de pesquisa multidisciplinar devido aos potenciais impactos que os poluentes atmosféricos podem causar no ambiente e na saúde da população. Dentre os poluentes, o material particulado fino recebe atenção por seu poder de penetração no sistema respiratório, atingindo alvéolos e transportando partículas ácidas e metais pesados a este aderidos. Portanto, a caracterização química de partículas finas se torna imprescindível no estudo da qualidade do ar, atrelada à estimativa dos riscos à saúde da população. Estudos internacionais sobre poluentes atmosféricos evidenciam os riscos da exposição humana a esses, e ainda retratam a influência da atividade antrópica na periculosidade das partículas emitidas. No Brasil, o Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia (INCT) de Análise Integrada do Risco Ambiental iniciou em 2007 um monitoramento diário das partículas inaláveis finas nas regiões metropolitanas de Recife, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Curitiba e Porto Alegre de modo a avaliar a contribuição das emissões da frota automotiva no incremento dos índices de risco à saúde populacional. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho se apresenta como proposta de avaliação de tal correlação na cidade de Manaus, uma capital brasileira em expansão com a peculiaridade de estar inserida no bioma Amazônico, tendo a floresta como fronteira. A fim de investigar essa característica, que a diferencia dos demais cenários de amostragem do INCT supracitado, foram realizadas amostragens diárias de material particulado inalável fino numa região centralizada da capital amazonense, avaliando a concentração por meio de gravimetria, sua composição elementar utilizando fluorescência de Raios-X, a concentração de carbono negro que compõe a fuligem por meio de transmitância e refletância, e ainda a identificação e concentração de íons solúveis determinada por cromatografia de íons. No ambiente de floresta, partindo do pressuposto da presença de altos níveis de contribuição biogênica, além da amostragem e análise de partículas finas similares às do ambiente urbano, também foram amostradas partículas individuais, que foram identificadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Todas as amostragens iniciaram em outubro de 2011 e cessaram em outubro de 2013. Devido à forte sazonalidade na região, os dados foram analisados em função dos períodos de seca e chuva, de modo que eventos característicos, como queimadas por exemplo, pudessem ser efetivamente registrados. Na cidade de Manaus, os valores de concentração do MP2,5 não ultrapassam os registrados em outros estudos nem os preconizados pela legislação brasileira. Sua composição elementar não evidencia sal marinho ou poeira do continente africano, apenas indica influência de queimadas. Entre os íons solúveis há maior concentração de cloreto, sulfato e sódio. Alguns metais apresentam enriquecimento, evidenciando emissão antropogênica. A massa do MP indica baixo índice de mortalidade da população, 0,22%, mas sua composição elementar potencializa o aparecimento e/ou o agravamento de doenças crônicas. Em relação ao ambiente de floresta, todos os dados encontrados são em nível traço, devido às condições meteorológicas, à praticamente inexistência direta de ação antropogênica e à altura de amostragem, 80 m acima do nível do solo. As partículas individuais foram preliminarmente identificadas como material biogênico, orgânico e poeira.Abstract: Air quality is considered nowadays as an issue of multidisciplinary research due to the potential impacts that air pollutants may cause to environment and population health. Among the pollutants, fine particulate matter receives attention due to their penetrating power in the respiratory system, reaching the alveoli and possibly carrying acidic particles and heavy metals adhered to them. Therefore, the chemical characterization of fine particles becomes essential in air quality studies linked to population’s health estimated risks. International studies on air pollutants show the risks of human exposure to these and still portray the influence of anthropogenic activity on the dangerousness of the emitted particles. In Brazil, the National Institute of Science and Technology (INCT) of Environmental Risk’s Integrated Analysis began, in 2007, daily monitoring of fine inhalable particles in the metropolitan areas of Recife, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Curitiba and Porto Alegre in order to assess the contribution of automotive emissions in increasing levels of risk to population health. In this context, the present work aimed to evaluate such correlation in Manaus, a Brazilian capital under expansion, with the peculiarity of being inserted in the Amazon biome, with the forest as boundary. In order to explore such characteristic, which distinguishes it from other INCT scenarios, daily sampling of fine inhalable particulate matter were planned in a centralized area of the Amazonas capital to assess the concentration by gravimetry, elemental composition using X-ray fluorescence, the black carbon concentration of the soot by transmittance and reflectance, and also the concentration of soluble ions determined by Ion Chromatography. In the forest environment, assuming the high levels of biogenic contribution, single particles were sampled and analyzed by Scanning Electronic Microscopy, besides fine particles sampled and analyzed similarly to the urban environment. Sampling campaigns began in October 2011 and ended in October 2013. Due to strong seasonality in the region, data were analyzed according to the dry and rainy seasons. In Manaus city, the fine particulate matter concentration does not exceed those recorded in other studies or established in the national legislation. Its elemental composition does not show sea salt or dust from the African continent, only indicates the influence of fires. Among the soluble ions the greatest concentration are of chloride, sodium and sulfate. Some metals presented enrichment, indicating anthropogenic emissions. The particulate matter mass indicates a low population mortality rate, 0.22 %, but its elemental composition enhances the appearance and/or the aggravation of chronic diseases. Regarding the forest environment, all data are found in trace level due to meteorological conditions, the absence of direct anthropogenic action evidence and the sampling height: 80 m above ground level. The single particles were preliminarily identified as biogenic, organic and dust material

Primary biological aerosol particles at the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory : inventory and vertical distribution

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Ricardo H. M. GodoiCoorientador: Dr. Philip E. TaylorTese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Tecnologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Recursos Hídricos e Ambiental. Defesa : Curitiba, 23/05/2018Inclui referênciasResumo: Partículas de aerossol biológicas primárias (primary biological aerosol particles - PBAP) são essenciais como fonte de nutriente e na dispersão de material reprodutivo. Pólens e esporos de fungos são considerados potenciais núcleos gigantes de condensação de nuvens sobre florestas tropicais. Portanto, eles provavelmente influenciam nos processos de precipitação em escala local e regional. A distribuição vertical de partículas grossas sobre a floresta foi analisada utilizando medições na Torre Alta de Observação da Amazônia (Amazon Tall Tower Observatory - ATTO), no Brasil. Esta é a primeira caracterização de dispersão e transporte vertical de bioaerossóis atmosféricos até 300 m de altura para a Amazônia central. Campanhas de amostragem foram conduzidas durante ambas as estações, seca e chuvosa, de 2015 a 2017. Um amostrador volumétrico de esporos (tipo Hirst) foi utilizado para coletar partículas na torre a 25, 40, 60, 80 e 300 metros de altura acima do nível do solo. As amostras foram imageadas com microscopia ótica e a série temporal de abundância de bioaerossol foi obtida baseada na classificação, quantificação e identificação morfológica. Grãos de pólen, esporos de fungos e ferns, e resíduos da copa como fragmentos de folhas e insetos, ceras e glândulas de plantas, decresceram em abundância da copa (30 a 35 m) até 300 m de altura. Precipitação, umidade relativa e direção e velocidade do vento tiveram uma forte influência na distribuição vertical dessas PBAP. Partículas de pólen foram encontradas na faixa de tamanho de 10 a 95 ?m, com maior frequência de 10 a 30 ?m. Grandes grãos de pólen estavam ausentes bem acima da copa, exceto durante eventos de tempestade. Pólens acima da copa raramente apareceram rompidos. A baixa precipitação através da estação seca de 2015, registrada durante um evento de El Niño, foi correlacionado com um acréscimo no número de PBAP suspensos, devido ao aumento na emissão e/ou decréscimo na remoção proporcionada pela chuva. Para 60 e 80 m, houveram diferenças significativas (p-valor<0,01) entre concentrações de pólen e fungos de dia e a noite. A composição relativa de PBAP é similar ao longo do ano, apesar das diferenças de altura e estação. Fora de eventos de tempestade, aerossóis primários grossos mensurados, especialmente pólens maiores que 10 ?m de diâmetro, podem geralmente sofrer menos arrastamento atmosférico e ter menos influência nos processos atmosféricos. Palavras-chave: Partículas de aerossol biológicas primárias, polén, distribuição vertical, Torre Alta de Observação da Amazônia, Amazônia.Abstract: Primary biological aerosol particles (PBAP) are essential as a nutrient source and for dispersal of reproductive material. Pollen and fungal spores are considered potential giant cloud condensation nuclei over tropical rainforests. Thus, they likely influence local and regional scale precipitation processes. The vertical distribution of coarse particles above the rainforest was analysed using tower-based measurements at the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO) in Brazil. This is the first characterization of airborne bioaerosol emission and vertical transport up to 300 m height for the central Amazon. Sampling campaigns were conducted during both the wet and dry seasons from 2015 to 2017. A Recording Volumetric Spore Sampler (Hirst-type) was used to collect particles on the tower at heights of 25, 40, 60, 80 and 300 m above ground level. Samples were imaged with optical microscopy, and time series of bioaerosol abundance were obtained based on morphological classification, quantification and identification. Pollen grains, fungal spores, fern spores and canopy debris, such as leaf and insect fragments, as well as plant waxes and glands, decreased in abundance from the canopy (around 30~35 m) to 300 m height. Precipitation, relative humidity, and wind direction and speed had a strong influence on the vertical distribution of those PBAP. Pollen particles were found in the size range of 10 to 95 ?m, with higher frequency from 10 to 30 ?m. Large pollen grains were absent high above the canopy except during some thunderstorm events. Pollen above the canopy rarely appeared ruptured. The low rainfall across the 2015 dry season, recorded during an El Niño event, correlated with an increased number of suspended PBAP, due to an increased emission and/or decreased rain-related scavenging. For 60 and 80m, there were significant (p-value<0.01) differences between day and night concentrations of pollen and fungi. The relative PBAP composition is similar throughout the year, despite season and height difference. Outside of storm events, measured coarse primary aerosols, especially pollen larger than 10 ?m in diameter, might generally undergo less atmospheric entrainment and have less influence on atmospheric processes. Key-words: primary biological aerosol particles (PBAP), pollen, vertical distribution, Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO), Amazon

The Latin America Early Career Earth System Scientist Network (LAECESS): addressing present and future challenges of the upcoming generations of scientists in the region

International audienceEarly career (EC) Earth system scientists in the Latin America and the Caribbean region (LAC) have been facing several issues, such as limited funding opportunities, substandard scientific facilities, lack of security of tenure, and unrepresented groups equality issues. On top of this, the worsening regional environmental and climatic crises call for the need for this new generation of scientists to help to tackle these crises by increasing public awareness and research. Realizing the need to converge and step up in making a collective action to be a part of the solution, the Latin America Early Career Earth System Scientist Network (LAECESS) was created in 2016. LAECESS's primary goals are to promote regional networking, foster integrated and interdisciplinary science, organize soft skills courses and workshops, and empower Latin American EC researchers. This article is an initial step towards letting the global science community grasp the current situation and hear the early career LAC science community's perspectives. The paper also presents a series of future steps needed for better scientific and social development in the LAC region