Trans-Pacific Air Pollution

Abstract

It is increasingly recognized that air pollution is transported on mid-latitude westerly winds from Eurasia to the Pacific Ocean basin and across to North America. This trans-Pacific pollution reaches North America and may have substantial impacts on ecosystems and climate in the entire Pacific region. In their Perspective, Wilkening et al . report from a recent meeting where researchers attempted to synthesize and evaluate existing knowledge about trans-Pacific pollutant transport.