Plants have taken in carbon dioxide (CO2) more efficiently under polluted (hazy) skies in recent decades compared to a cleaner atmosphere, according to a new study from the UK's Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH).

"Surprisingly, the effects of atmospheric pollution seem to have enhanced global plant productivity from 1960 to 1999. This resulted in a net 10% increase in the amount of carbon stored by the land once other effects were taken into account," said Dr. Lina Mercado, from the CEH and lead author of the study.

The atmospheric particles (aerosols), which can create these hazy days, scatter light so that the surface receives light from multiple directions (diffuse radiation) rather than coming straight from the sun. Plants are then able to convert more of the available sunlight into growth because fewer leaves are in the shade.