Radiative and Climate Impacts of Absorbing Aerosols

Radiative and Climate Impacts of Absorbing Aerosols PDF Author: Aihua Zhu
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781124187099
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 446

Get Book Here

Book Description
By integrating experimental data, radiative transfer theory, and numerical modelling, this dissertation aims to improve our understanding of the radiative and the climate impacts of the major absorbing aerosols: mineral dust, black carbon (BC) and brown carbon. The research presented here combines existing surface, satellite and aircraft measurements and develops self-consistent models for aerosol mixing state, global and regional radiative forcing of absorbing aerosols and their climate effects. The first part of this dissertation presents the climatology and radiative impacts of dust plumes over the Pacific, the Indian and the Atlantic Oceans using multiple satellite datasets in conjunction with MACR (Monte Carlo Aerosol-Cloud-Radiation) model. A core-shell internally mixed aerosol model has been developed using the microphysical, chemical, and radiative observations as constraints. It is shown that internal mixing enhances the aerosol absorption and contributes to over 20% increase of radiative forcing. The aerosol mixing model is validated by comparing model simulated spectrally-resolved irradiance with observations. The results show that aerosol induced forcing is mainly confined in the visible band and the largest forcing occurs in the blue channel. distribution of the spectral radiative forcing is obtained. The aerosol forcing is used to drive a general circulation model (GCM) with prescribed sea surface temperature to investigate the impact of absorbing aerosols on regional climate. One of the main model findings is that heating of the atmosphere by absorbing aerosols can contribute to significant reductions in low level clouds, which in turn amplifies the warming. The simulated cloudiness reduction is particularly strong over the Arctic and China and the simulated warming over the Arctic exceeds 1.5°C. The findings of cloud reduction over China and the warming over the Arctic are consistent with observations. The above effects are relatively weak or negligible when absorbing aerosols are treated as externally mixed which is used as the assumption by most GCM studies thus far. This study reveals the fundamental importance of accounting for the observed chemical and physical properties of absorbing aerosols.

Radiative and Climate Impacts of Absorbing Aerosols

Radiative and Climate Impacts of Absorbing Aerosols PDF Author: Aihua Zhu
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781124187099
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 446

Get Book Here

Book Description
By integrating experimental data, radiative transfer theory, and numerical modelling, this dissertation aims to improve our understanding of the radiative and the climate impacts of the major absorbing aerosols: mineral dust, black carbon (BC) and brown carbon. The research presented here combines existing surface, satellite and aircraft measurements and develops self-consistent models for aerosol mixing state, global and regional radiative forcing of absorbing aerosols and their climate effects. The first part of this dissertation presents the climatology and radiative impacts of dust plumes over the Pacific, the Indian and the Atlantic Oceans using multiple satellite datasets in conjunction with MACR (Monte Carlo Aerosol-Cloud-Radiation) model. A core-shell internally mixed aerosol model has been developed using the microphysical, chemical, and radiative observations as constraints. It is shown that internal mixing enhances the aerosol absorption and contributes to over 20% increase of radiative forcing. The aerosol mixing model is validated by comparing model simulated spectrally-resolved irradiance with observations. The results show that aerosol induced forcing is mainly confined in the visible band and the largest forcing occurs in the blue channel. distribution of the spectral radiative forcing is obtained. The aerosol forcing is used to drive a general circulation model (GCM) with prescribed sea surface temperature to investigate the impact of absorbing aerosols on regional climate. One of the main model findings is that heating of the atmosphere by absorbing aerosols can contribute to significant reductions in low level clouds, which in turn amplifies the warming. The simulated cloudiness reduction is particularly strong over the Arctic and China and the simulated warming over the Arctic exceeds 1.5°C. The findings of cloud reduction over China and the warming over the Arctic are consistent with observations. The above effects are relatively weak or negligible when absorbing aerosols are treated as externally mixed which is used as the assumption by most GCM studies thus far. This study reveals the fundamental importance of accounting for the observed chemical and physical properties of absorbing aerosols.

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

Get Book Here

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.

A Plan for a Research Program on Aerosol Radiative Forcing and Climate Change

A Plan for a Research Program on Aerosol Radiative Forcing and Climate Change PDF Author: Panel on Aerosol Radiative Forcing and Climate Change
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309588871
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 180

Get Book Here

Book Description
This book recommends the initiation of an "integrated" research program to study the role of aerosols in the predicted global climate change. Current understanding suggest that, even now, aerosols, primarily from anthropogenic sources, may be reducing the rate of warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to specific research recommendations, this book forcefully argues for two kinds of research program integration: integration of the individual laboratory, field, and theoretical research activities and an integrated management structure that involves all of the concerned federal agencies.

Atmospheric Aerosol Properties and Climate Impacts

Atmospheric Aerosol Properties and Climate Impacts PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Atmospheric ozone
Languages : en
Pages : 136

Get Book Here

Book Description


Atmospheric Aerosol Properties and Climate Impacts

Atmospheric Aerosol Properties and Climate Impacts PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Atmospheric ozone
Languages : en
Pages : 128

Get Book Here

Book Description


Radiative Forcing of Climate Change

Radiative Forcing of Climate Change PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309095069
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 223

Get Book Here

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.

Atmospheric Aerosols

Atmospheric Aerosols PDF Author: S Ramachandran
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1351648454
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 451

Get Book Here

Book Description
This book includes basic knowledge and understanding on the characteristics of aerosols over the continent and oceanic regions, their composition, residence times, sinks and size distributions, and their effects in the radiative transfer and climate of Earth.

Atmospheric Aerosols

Atmospheric Aerosols PDF Author: Olivier Boucher
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9401796491
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 322

Get Book Here

Book Description
This textbook aims to be a one stop shop for those interested in aerosols and their impact on the climate system. It starts with some fundamentals on atmospheric aerosols, atmospheric radiation and cloud physics, then goes into techniques used for in-situ and remote sensing measurements of aerosols, data assimilation, and discusses aerosol-radiation interactions, aerosol-cloud interactions and the multiple impacts of aerosols on the climate system. The book aims to engage those interested in aerosols and their impacts on the climate system: graduate and PhD students, but also post-doctorate fellows who are new to the field or would like to broaden their knowledge. The book includes exercises at the end of most chapters. Atmospheric aerosols are small (microscopic) particles in suspension in the atmosphere, which play multiple roles in the climate system. They interact with the energy budget through scattering and absorption of solar and terrestrial radiation. They also serve as cloud condensation and ice nuclei with impacts on the formation, evolution and properties of clouds. Finally aerosols also interact with some biogeochemical cycles. Anthropogenic emissions of aerosols are responsible for a cooling effect that has masked part of the warming due to the increased greenhouse effect since pre-industrial time. Natural aerosols also respond to climate changes as shown by observations of past climates and modelling of the future climate.

Mixed-Phase Clouds

Mixed-Phase Clouds PDF Author: Constantin Andronache
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 012810550X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 302

Get Book Here

Book Description
Mixed-Phase Clouds: Observations and Modeling presents advanced research topics on mixed-phase clouds. As the societal impacts of extreme weather and its forecasting grow, there is a continuous need to refine atmospheric observations, techniques and numerical models. Understanding the role of clouds in the atmosphere is increasingly vital for current applications, such as prediction and prevention of aircraft icing, weather modification, and the assessment of the effects of cloud phase partition in climate models. This book provides the essential information needed to address these problems with a focus on current observations, simulations and applications. Provides in-depth knowledge and simulation of mixed-phase clouds over many regions of Earth, explaining their role in weather and climate Features current research examples and case studies, including those on advanced research methods from authors with experience in both academia and the industry Discusses the latest advances in this subject area, providing the reader with access to best practices for remote sensing and numerical modeling

Aerosols and Climate

Aerosols and Climate PDF Author: Ken S. Carslaw
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0128231726
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 856

Get Book Here

Book Description
The ever-diversifying field of aerosol effects on climate is comprehensively presented here, describing the strong connection between fundamental research and model applications in a way that will allow both experienced researchers and those new to the field to gain an understanding of a wide range of topics. The material is consistently presented at three levels for each topic: (i) an accessible "quick read" of the essentials, (ii) a more detailed description, and (iii) a section dedicated to how the processes are handled in models. The modelling section in each chapter summarizes the current level of knowledge and what the gaps in this understanding mean for the effects of aerosols on climate, enabling readers to quickly understand how new research fits into established knowledge. Definitions, case studies, reference data, and examples are included throughout. Aerosols and Climate is a vital resource for graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, senior researchers, and lecturers in departments of atmospheric science, meteorology, engineering, and environment. It will also be of interest to those working in operational centers and policy-facing organizations, providing strong reference material on the current state of knowledge. Includes a section in each chapter that focuses on the treatment of relevant aerosol processes in climate models Provides clear exposition of the challenges in understanding and reducing persistent gaps in knowledge and uncertainties in the field of aerosol-climate interaction, going beyond the fundamentals and existing knowledge Authored by experts in modeling and aerosol processes, analysis or observations to ensure accessibility and balance