The findings of a new research have established a very strong link between climate change and the powerful smell of pine trees. A mechanism has been discovered by scientists, which allows scented vapors to convert into aerosols above boreal forests. Aerosols are particles that cool the atmosphere by reflecting sunlight back into space and contribute to cloud buildup.

These particles are also formed by volcanic activities and through the burning of coal and oil. But, the sweet-smelling vapors found in pine forests in North America, northern Europe and Russia are the cheapest sources of aerosols.

An international team has claimed that they have unraveled the mystery behind how these aerosols are formed by rich odors to reflect sunlight and cool the atmosphere.

It was known for long that oxygen in the forest canopy reacts with the smell of pine, made up of volatile organic compounds, to form these aerosols. But they have now found an extra step in the process, which allows ultra-low volatility organic vapors in the air to irreversibly condense onto any surface or particle they come in contact with.

Dr. Joel Thornton, from the University of Washington, said these particles are diametrically different in structures from what was known before.

"It turns out that this level of craziness is what gives them the special properties to stick to those smallest particles and help grow them up in size to become aerosols", said Dr. Thornton.

The scientists have said they will be able to accurately predict the ability of aerosols to limit rising temperature by having clear understanding of the mechanism that allows forest smells to become aerosols.

Dr. Mikael Ehn, now based at the University of Helsinki, said rising CO2 in a warmer world will make photosynthesis to happen faster, which will ultimately lead to more vegetation and more emissions of these vapors.