The international scientific research team led by Professor Li Zhanqing found that increase in the concentration of particles in the atmosphere can shed a significant influence on the formation and development of cloud and the succeeding precipitation process. Specifically speaking, in dry areas or seasons, increase in particles will inhibit the precipitation; in wet areas or seasons, increase in particles will raise precipitation and storm intensity. Li Zhanqing is national “Thousand People Plan Scholar” and a professor of Global Change and Earth System Sciences of Beijing Normal University. This latest scientific research achievement found by his team was published in the November 13th issue of the British earth science magazine “Nature”. 　
　
Li’s research team made use of the observational data of American southern Great Plains region over a decade, obtained from some large-scale integrated climate research stations. They revealed for the first time that the aerosol concentrations on the ground had a significant impact on the height and thickness of clouds, as well as the consequent changes in the frequency and intensity of precipitation. Peer scientists pointed out that this study would help address the growing problem of climate change issues, environmental issues and water resource issues, and in particular, help prevent less extreme events such as droughts and floods disaster.