Tracing Atmospheric Anthropogenic Black Carbon and Its Potential Radiative Response Over Pan‐Third Pole Region: A Synoptic‐Scale Analysis Using WRF‐Chem

Abstract

AbstractThe Pan‐Third Pole contains the largest number of glaciers outside the polar region that plays a crucial role in atmospheric circulation and the hydrological cycle. However, this pristine region has undergone rapid change through complex interactions including the black carbon (BC) enhanced warming effect and glacier melting. Study shows, Weather Research and Forecasting coupled with Chemistry (WRF‐Chem) simulation is able to capture distinctive seasonal variability of BC. The result from our sensitivity experiments revealed that South Asia (SA; 60.7%) and East Asia (EA; 32.9%) contributed more toward the Tibetan Plateau (TP). Our analysis on aerosol‐boundary feedback interaction revealed BC expand planetary boundary layer height by 5.0% and 4.8% over SA and EA, respectively, which facilitates BC dispersion and transportation. Whereas, we also found that under the influence of different wind regimes the significant BC transport flux aloft over the TP and the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. Additionally, mountain‐valley channel and synoptic and local meteorological processes also facilitated BC transport to the TP. This study also evaluated the effect of BC on direct radiative forcing and calculated subsequent temperature changes. A strong dimming effect of BC corroborated with the following negative surface temperature changes. However, enhanced BC concentration during winter and spring caused the increase in temperature over the TP. Here, the WRF‐Chem model, synergy on aerosol‐boundary feedback, BC transport flux, and source‐receptor methods confirmed the significant BC contribution and transportation, and notable BC‐induced warming over TP. Such trans‐Himalayan BC transport and associated warming could grim glacier melt and water availability in the region.