On Understanding and Quantifying Direct, Semi-direct, and Snow Darkening Effects of Black Carbon and Dust on Regional Climate

On Understanding and Quantifying Direct, Semi-direct, and Snow Darkening Effects of Black Carbon and Dust on Regional Climate PDF Author: Stefan R. Rahimi
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781687954930
Category : Atmospheric aerosols
Languages : en
Pages : 188

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Book Description
This dissertation reviews a multi-model approach to explore, clarify, and quantify snow darkening effects (SDE) and atmospheric aerosol radiation interactions (ARI) associated with Black Carbon (BC) and dust (BCD collectively) particles. A collection of global and regional climate models are used to constrain the impacts these aerosols have on the surface and top-of-the-atmosphere energy budgets, the water budget, and the general circulation of the atmosphere on regional scales. Specifically, we employ a special global climate model of varying horizontal grid spacing to simulate BCD-induced SDE and ARI impacts on the South-Asian Monsoon (SAM), which serves as a major water resource for one-quarter of the world’s population. We then use a regional climate model, coupled to a chemistry mechanism, to simulate BCD SDE and ARI on convective permitting scales across the Rocky Mountains of the western U.S. (WUS) for water year 2009. Before interpreting the weather and climate effects of BCD SDE and ARI, extensive evaluations of model biases in simulated aerosol properties, surface temperature, snow properties, and precipitation are conducted to assess model fidelity. All results are presented in context of biases in simulated meteorology and chemistry. When applicable, simple theoretical frameworks are applied to justify BCD effects.

On Understanding and Quantifying Direct, Semi-direct, and Snow Darkening Effects of Black Carbon and Dust on Regional Climate

On Understanding and Quantifying Direct, Semi-direct, and Snow Darkening Effects of Black Carbon and Dust on Regional Climate PDF Author: Stefan R. Rahimi
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781687954930
Category : Atmospheric aerosols
Languages : en
Pages : 188

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Book Description
This dissertation reviews a multi-model approach to explore, clarify, and quantify snow darkening effects (SDE) and atmospheric aerosol radiation interactions (ARI) associated with Black Carbon (BC) and dust (BCD collectively) particles. A collection of global and regional climate models are used to constrain the impacts these aerosols have on the surface and top-of-the-atmosphere energy budgets, the water budget, and the general circulation of the atmosphere on regional scales. Specifically, we employ a special global climate model of varying horizontal grid spacing to simulate BCD-induced SDE and ARI impacts on the South-Asian Monsoon (SAM), which serves as a major water resource for one-quarter of the world’s population. We then use a regional climate model, coupled to a chemistry mechanism, to simulate BCD SDE and ARI on convective permitting scales across the Rocky Mountains of the western U.S. (WUS) for water year 2009. Before interpreting the weather and climate effects of BCD SDE and ARI, extensive evaluations of model biases in simulated aerosol properties, surface temperature, snow properties, and precipitation are conducted to assess model fidelity. All results are presented in context of biases in simulated meteorology and chemistry. When applicable, simple theoretical frameworks are applied to justify BCD effects.

An Investigation of the Effects of Black Carbon on Precipitation in the Western United States

An Investigation of the Effects of Black Carbon on Precipitation in the Western United States PDF Author: Hsien-Liang Rose Tseng
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 107

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Book Description
Black carbon (BC), the byproduct of incomplete combustion, is considered to be the second most important anthropogenic climate forcing agent after carbon dioxide. BC warms the atmosphere by absorbing solar radiation (direct effect), alters cloud and precipitation formation by acting as cloud condensation nuclei (indirect effect), and modifies cloud distribution via cloud burn-off (semi-direct effect). Currently, there are large discrepancies in general circulation model estimates of the influence of BC on precipitation. Even less known is how BC changes precipitation on regional scales. In the drought-stricken western United States (WUS), where BC emissions are known to affect the hydrological cycle, an investigation on how BC influences precipitation is warranted. In this study, we employ the Weather Research and Forecasting-Chemistry (WRF Chem) model (version 3.6.0) with the newly chemistry- and microphysics-coupled Fu-Liou-Gu radiation scheme to study how black carbon affects precipitation by separating BC-related effects into direct and semi-direct, and indirect effects. In this three-part study, we use a recent wet year (2005) to investigate black carbon effects. We first examine BC effects during a heavy wintertime heavy precipitation event (7-11 January 2005), a heavy summertime precipitation week for comparison to the wintertime event (20-24 July 2005), and finally, examine these same effects for the months of January to June 2005 to investigate month-long trends. We find that BC suppresses precipitation, predominantly through its direct and semi-direct effects. The direct and semi-direct effects warm the air aloft, and cool the lower levels of the atmosphere (surface dimming) through the reduction of downward shortwave radiation flux at the surface. These changes in vertical temperature increase the stability of the atmosphere and reduce convective precipitation. Convective precipitation reduction accounts for approximately 60 75% of the total precipitation reduction. Additionally, cooling in the lower levels reduces evaporation from the surface, which reduces the moisture needed for non-convective precipitation. Subsequently, reduced moisture in the atmosphere suppresses non-convective precipitation by approximately 10-40%. The indirect effects also reduce precipitation, but to a much smaller extent of 5-20%. Although we use an atypical BC emission dataset is used in this study, the resulting reduction of the different types of precipitation sheds light on the physical mechanisms of BC-cloud-radiation interactions by which the reductions follow. In particular, our results highlight the importance of the cumulus and surface layer parameterizations that house the triggering mechanism and surface moisture flux parameterizations in future studies. In this research we find the NEI 2005 emissions did not significantly change precipitation. This is likely due to the aggressive emission regulations that exist for the United States. Emission regulations, however, do not exist or are enforced equally across the globe. In the developing countries that rely on inefficient cook stoves and heating systems, the populations suffer the most due to black carbon emission. Along with respiratory and cardiovascular impacts from black carbon, they may suffer from reduced water resources from suppressed precipitation, as well. In a larger sense, findings from this research serve as a platform for understanding the wider-reaching effects of black carbon on regional precipitation and drought. In particular, in areas where there are no black carbon emission regulations, this would highlight health and potentially significant environmental benefits that could be achieved from a black carbon cap and trade.

Climatic Effects of Black Carbon Aerosols Over the Tibetan Plateau

Climatic Effects of Black Carbon Aerosols Over the Tibetan Plateau PDF Author: Cenlin He
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 238

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Book Description
Black carbon (BC), also known as soot, has been identified as the second most important anthropogenic emissions in terms of global climate forcing in the current atmosphere. Ample evidence has shown that BC deposition is an important driver of rapid snow melting and glacier retreat over the Tibetan Plateau, which holds the largest snow/ice mass outside polar regions. However, the climatic effects of BC over the Tibetan Plateau have not been thoroughly investigated in such a manner as to understand, quantify, and reduce large uncertainties in the estimate of radiative and hydrological effects. Thus, this Ph.D. study seeks to understand and improve key processes controlling BC life cycle in global and regional models and to quantify BC radiative effects over the Tibetan Plateau. First, the capability of a state-of-the-art global chemical transport model (CTM), GEOS-Chem, and the associated model uncertainties are systematically evaluated in simulating BC over the Tibetan Plateau, using in situ measurements of BC in surface air, BC in snow, and BC absorption optical depth. The effects of three key factors on the simulation are also delineated, including Asian anthropogenic emissions, BC aging process, and model resolution. Subsequently, a microphysics-based BC aging scheme that accounts for condensation, coagulation, and heterogeneous chemical oxidation processes is developed and examined in GEOS-Chem by comparing with aircraft measurements. Compared to the default aging scheme, the microphysical scheme reduces model-observation discrepancies by a factor of ~3, particularly in the middle and upper troposphere. In addition, a theoretical BC aging-optics model is developed to account for three typical evolution stages, namely, freshly emitted aggregates, coated BC by soluble material, and BC particles undergoing further hygroscopic growth. The geometric-optics surface-wave (GOS) approach is employed to compute the BC single-scattering properties at each aging stage, which are subsequently compared with laboratory measurements. Results show large variations in BC optical properties caused by coating morphology and aging stages. Furthermore, a comprehensive intercomparison of the GOS approach, the superposition T-matrix method, and laboratory measurements is performed for optical properties of BC with complex structures during aging. Moreover, a new snow albedo model is developed for widely-observed close-packed snow grains internally mixed with BC. Results indicate that albedo simulations that account for snow close packing match closer to observations. Close packing enhances BC-induced snow albedo reduction and associated surface radiative forcing by up to 15% (20%) for fresh (old) snow, which suggests that BC-snow albedo forcing is underestimated in previous modeling studies without accounting for close packing. Finally, the snow albedo forcing and direct radiative forcing (DRF) of BC in the Tibetan Plateau are estimated using GEOS-Chem in conjunction with a stochastic snow model and a radiative transfer model. This, for the first time, accounts for realistic non-spherical snow grain shape and stochastic multiple inclusions of BC within snow in assessing BC-snow interactions. The annual mean BC snow albedo forcing is 2.9 W m-2 over snow-covered Plateau regions. BC-snow internal mixing increases the albedo forcing by 40-60% compared with external mixing, whereas Koch snowflakes reduce the forcing by 20-40% relative to spherical snow grains. BC DRF at the top of the atmosphere is 2.3 W m-2 with uncertainties of -70% - +85% in the Plateau. The BC forcings are further attributed to emissions from different regions.

Thriving on Our Changing Planet

Thriving on Our Changing Planet PDF Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309467578
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 717

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Book Description
We live on a dynamic Earth shaped by both natural processes and the impacts of humans on their environment. It is in our collective interest to observe and understand our planet, and to predict future behavior to the extent possible, in order to effectively manage resources, successfully respond to threats from natural and human-induced environmental change, and capitalize on the opportunities â€" social, economic, security, and more â€" that such knowledge can bring. By continuously monitoring and exploring Earth, developing a deep understanding of its evolving behavior, and characterizing the processes that shape and reshape the environment in which we live, we not only advance knowledge and basic discovery about our planet, but we further develop the foundation upon which benefits to society are built. Thriving on Our Changing Planet presents prioritized science, applications, and observations, along with related strategic and programmatic guidance, to support the U.S. civil space Earth observation program over the coming decade.

The Impact of Black Carbon Aerosol Induced Snow Darkening on the Radiation Balance in ECHAM6

The Impact of Black Carbon Aerosol Induced Snow Darkening on the Radiation Balance in ECHAM6 PDF Author: Jessica Engels
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description


The Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment

The Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment PDF Author: Philippus Wester
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319922882
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 638

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Book Description
This open access volume is the first comprehensive assessment of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. It comprises important scientific research on the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainable mountain development and will serve as a basis for evidence-based decision-making to safeguard the environment and advance people’s well-being. The compiled content is based on the collective knowledge of over 300 leading researchers, experts and policymakers, brought together by the Hindu Kush Himalayan Monitoring and Assessment Programme (HIMAP) under the coordination of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). This assessment was conducted between 2013 and 2017 as the first of a series of monitoring and assessment reports, under the guidance of the HIMAP Steering Committee: Eklabya Sharma (ICIMOD), Atiq Raman (Bangladesh), Yuba Raj Khatiwada (Nepal), Linxiu Zhang (China), Surendra Pratap Singh (India), Tandong Yao (China) and David Molden (ICIMOD and Chair of the HIMAP SC). This First HKH Assessment Report consists of 16 chapters, which comprehensively assess the current state of knowledge of the HKH region, increase the understanding of various drivers of change and their impacts, address critical data gaps and develop a set of evidence-based and actionable policy solutions and recommendations. These are linked to nine mountain priorities for the mountains and people of the HKH consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals. This book is a must-read for policy makers, academics and students interested in this important region and an essentially important resource for contributors to global assessments such as the IPCC reports.

Radiative Forcing of Climate Change

Radiative Forcing of Climate Change PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309133505
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 222

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Book Description
Changes in climate are driven by natural and human-induced perturbations of the Earth's energy balance. These climate drivers or "forcings" include variations in greenhouse gases, aerosols, land use, and the amount of energy Earth receives from the Sun. Although climate throughout Earth's history has varied from "snowball" conditions with global ice cover to "hothouse" conditions when glaciers all but disappeared, the climate over the past 10,000 years has been remarkably stable and favorable to human civilization. Increasing evidence points to a large human impact on global climate over the past century. The report reviews current knowledge of climate forcings and recommends critical research needed to improve understanding. Whereas emphasis to date has been on how these climate forcings affect global mean temperature, the report finds that regional variation and climate impacts other than temperature deserve increased attention.

Quantifying and Minimizing Uncertainty of Climate Forcing by Anthropogenic Aerosols

Quantifying and Minimizing Uncertainty of Climate Forcing by Anthropogenic Aerosols PDF Author: J. E. Penner
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Aerosol propellants
Languages : en
Pages : 68

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Book Description


The Direct Radiative Forcing Effects of Aerosols on the Climate in California

The Direct Radiative Forcing Effects of Aerosols on the Climate in California PDF Author: Hui Du
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781109661729
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model is used to explore the influence of aerosol direct radiative effects on regional climate of California. Aerosol data is provided by the MOZART global chemistry transport model and includes sulfate, black carbon, organic carbon, dust and sea salt. To investigate the sensitivity of aerosol radiative effects to different aerosol species and to the quantity of sulfate and dust, tests are conducted by using different combinations of aerosols and by resetting the quantity of sulfate and dust. The model results show that all the considered aerosols could have a cooling effect of one half to one degree in terms of temperature and that dust and sulfate are the most important aerosols. However, large uncertainties exist. The results suggest that the dust from MOZART is greatly overestimated over the simulation domain. The single scattering albedo (SSA) values of dust used in some global climate models are likely underestimated compared to recent studies on dust optical properties and could result in overestimating the corresponding cooling effects by approximately 0.1 degree. Large uncertainties exist in estimating the roles of different forcing factors which are causing the observed temperature change in the past century in California.

Quantifying Sources of Black Carbon in Western North America Using Observationally Based Analysis and an Emission Tagging Technique in the Community Atmosphere Model

Quantifying Sources of Black Carbon in Western North America Using Observationally Based Analysis and an Emission Tagging Technique in the Community Atmosphere Model PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 18

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Book Description