Abstract
ABSTRACT The cumulative effect of anthropogenic aerosol pollution acting primarily as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and dust acting as CCN, giant CCN, and ice nuclei (IN) is examined in this study, which covers the entire Colorado Rocky Mountains from the months of October to April in the year 2004–2005. The ~6.5-month analysis provides a range of snowfall totals and variability in concentrations of anthropogenic aerosol pollution and dust. This research quantifies the impacts of both dust and pollution aerosols on wintertime precipitation in the Colorado River Basin (CRB) using the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS). In general, anthropogenic aerosol pollution reduces water resources in the CRB via the “spill-over” effect by enhancing cloud droplet concentrations and reducing riming, while dust enhances precipitation primarily by acting as IN. Dust is more episodic and anthropogenic aerosol is more pervasive throughout the winter season. Combined response to dust and anthropogenic aerosol is a net reduction of water resources in the CRB. The question is by how much are those water resources affected? We estimate that total winter-season precipitation loss for CRB in 2004–2005 due to the combined influence of anthropogenic aerosol and dust was 5,380,00 acre-feet of water (66.36 x 106 m3).
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.