Shortwave Direct Radiative Forcing Research Articles

Aerosol-boundary layer dynamics and its effect on aerosol radiative forcing and atmospheric heating rate in the Indian Ocean sector of Southern Ocean

The study examines the thermodynamic structure of the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) and its effect on the aerosol dynamics in the Indian Ocean sector of Southern Ocean (ISSO) between 30°S-67°S and 57°E-77°E. It includes observations of aerosols and meteorology collected during the Xth Southern Ocean Expedition conducted in December 2017. The results revealed the effect of frontal-region-specific air-sea coupling on the thermodynamic structure of MABL and its role in regulating aerosols in ISSO. The MABL over the subtropical front was unstable and formed a well-evolved mixed layer (≈2400 m) capped by low-level inversions (≈660 m). Convective activities in the Sub-Antarctic Frontal region were associated with the Agulhas Retroflection Current, which supported the formation of a well-developed mixed layer (≈1860 m). The mean estimates of aerosol optical depth (AOD) and black carbon (BC) mass concentrations were 0.095 ± 0.006 and 50 ± 14 ng m−3, respectively, and the resultant clear sky direct shortwave radiative forcing (DARF) and atmospheric heating rate (HR) were 1.32 ± 0.11 W m−2 and 0.022 ± 0.002 K day−1, respectively. In the polar front (PF) region, frequent mid-latitude cyclones led to highly stabilized MABL, supported low-level multi-layered clouds (>3-layers) and multiple high-level inversions (strength > 0.5 K m−1 > 3000 m). The clouds were mixed-phased with temperatures less than −12 °C at 3000 m altitude. Interestingly, there was higher loading of dust and BC aerosols (276 ± 24 ng m−3), maximum AOD (0.109 ± 0.009), clear sky DARF (1.73 ± 0.02 W m−2), and HR (0.029 ± 0.005 K day−1). This showed an accumulation of long-range advected anthropogenic aerosols within baroclinic-boundaries formed over the PF region. Specifically, in the region south of PF, weak convection caused weakly-unstable MABL with a single low-level inversion followed by no clouds/single-layer clouds. Predominant clean maritime air holding a small fraction of dust and BC accounted for lower estimates of AOD (0.071 ± 0.004), BC concentrations (90 ± 55 ng m−3) and associated clear sky DARF and HR were 1.16 ± 0.06 W m−2 and 0.019 ± 0.001 K day−1, respectively.

Assessment of regional aerosol radiative effects under the SWAAMI campaign – Part 2: Clear-sky direct shortwave radiative forcing using multi-year assimilated data over the Indian subcontinent

Abstract. Clear-sky, direct shortwave aerosol radiative forcing (ARF) has been estimated over the Indian region, for the first time employing multi-year (2009–2013) gridded, assimilated aerosol products, as an important part of the South West Asian Aerosol Monsoon Interactions (SWAAMI) which is a joint Indo-UK research field campaign focused at understanding the variabilities in atmospheric aerosols and their interactions with the Indian summer monsoon. The aerosol datasets have been constructed following statistical assimilation of concurrent data from a dense network of ground-based observatories and multi-satellite products, as described in Part 1 of this two-part paper. The ARF, thus estimated, is assessed for its superiority or otherwise over other ARF estimates based on satellite-retrieved aerosol products, over the Indian region, by comparing the radiative fluxes (upward) at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) estimated using assimilated and satellite products with spatiotemporally matched radiative flux values provided by CERES (Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System) single-scan footprint (SSF) product. This clearly demonstrated improved accuracy of the forcing estimates using the assimilated vis-à-vis satellite-based aerosol datasets at regional, subregional and seasonal scales. The regional distribution of diurnally averaged ARF estimates has revealed (a) significant differences from similar estimates made using currently available satellite data, not only in terms of magnitude but also the sign of TOA forcing; (b) the largest magnitudes of surface cooling and atmospheric warming over the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) and arid regions from north-western India; and (c) negative TOA forcing over most parts of the Indian region, except for three subregions – the IGP, north-western India and eastern parts of peninsular India where the TOA forcing changes to positive during pre-monsoon season. Aerosol-induced atmospheric warming rates, estimated using the assimilated data, demonstrate substantial spatial heterogeneities (∼0.2 to 2.0 K d−1) over the study domain with the IGP demonstrating relatively stronger atmospheric heating rates (∼0.6 to 2.0 K d−1). There exists a strong seasonality as well, with atmospheric warming being highest during pre-monsoon and lowest during winter seasons. It is to be noted that the present ARF estimates demonstrate substantially smaller uncertainties than their satellite counterparts, which is a natural consequence of reduced uncertainties in assimilated vis-à-vis satellite aerosol properties. The results demonstrate the potential application of the assimilated datasets and ARF estimates for improving accuracies of climate impact assessments at regional and subregional scales.

Haze events at different levels in winters: A comprehensive study of meteorological factors, Aerosol characteristics and direct radiative forcing in megacities of north and central China

The changes in aerosol optical and microphysical properties, and sub-band shortwave direct radiative forcing (DARF) in Beijing and Wuhan were compared at different haze levels in winters. The occurrence of haze is found to be governed by the wind circulation and boundary layer in Beijing where the ground wind speed and the height of boundary layer decreased significantly with the development of haze. Compared with the boundary layer and wind, the relative humidity has a stronger impact on haze in Wuhan. Especially, hygroscopic growth of aerosol particles is observed in Wuhan. The increase of fine-mode non-absorbing particles is the main characteristic of aerosol change during haze periods. With the development of haze, the larger increase in DARF at the top of atmosphere is found in Beijing, while the change in DARF at the atmosphere is more obvious in Wuhan. Efficiency of the DARF shows that the change of DARF depends highly on the single scattering albedo in Beijing due to the obvious enhancement of particle scattering, while it depends much more on particle radius over Wuhan. The increase in particle size can also change DARF proportion of each sub-band in shortwave that the DARF proportion in ultraviolet and visible decreased. However, the DARF proportion in near-infrared increased during haze, as the light in shorter wavelength is more sensitive to the change of the fine particle radius.

Estimation of the Dust Aerosol Shortwave Direct Forcing Over Land Based on an Equi‐albedo Method From Satellite Measurements

AbstractIt is important but difficult to measure the shortwave radiative forcing of the dust aerosols over land from satellite‐observed radiance because the inhomogeneous surface albedo varies in a large dynamic range. In this study, we proposed a satellite‐based equi‐albedo method to derive the dust aerosol shortwave direct forcing over land. In the method, an equal radiance at the top of atmosphere was assumed for the region with the similar surface albedo and the similar solar zenith angle. The aerosol optical depth (AOD) from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer and the shortwave radiance product from Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System were used to derive the dust aerosol radiative forcing. The dust storm events outbroken on 9 and 24 April 2010 in Taklimakan desert were selected as study cases. The mean dust shortwave direct forcing efficiency is −35.08 W/m2 per unit of dust AOD during the dust storm events. The results were validated with the calculated radiative forcing from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer AOD product by the radiative transfer model. It shows that the derived radiative forcing is well correlated with the simulated one. The mean difference is 10.57 and the standard deviation is 1.35. Moreover, uncertainty has been estimated. The regional mean‐directed radiative forcing due to dust are −28.98 ± 7.99 and −35.76 ± 10.61 W/m2 of these two cases directly from satellite observations. This research indicates that the proposed method is reliable and effective, which can be used to estimate the shortwave direct radiative forcing of the dust storm event.

Satellite‐Observed Impacts of Wildfires on Regional Atmosphere Composition and the Shortwave Radiative Forcing: A Multiple Case Study

AbstractEmissions of aerosols and trace gases from wildfires and their direct shortwave radiative forcing (DSRF) at the top of atmosphere were studied using satellite observations from Moderate‐Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, Atmospheric Infrared Sounder, Clouds and Earth Radiant Energy System on Aqua, and Ozone Monitoring Instrument on Aura. The dominant fuel types of the selected fire cases in the northeast of China (NEC), Siberia (Russia), and California (USA) are cropland, mixed forest, and needle‐leaf forest, respectively. For the cropland fire case in NEC, the fire radiative power‐based emission coefficients (Ce) of aerosol is 20.51 ± 2.55 g/MJ, half that of the forest fire cases in Siberia (40.01 ± 9.21 g/MJ) and California (45.23 ± 8.81 g/MJ), and the carbon monoxide (CO) Ce (23.94 ± 11.83 g/MJ) was about one third and half that of the forest fire cases in Siberia and California, respectively. However, the NOx (NO2 + NO) Ce (2.76 ± 0.25g MJ−1) of the cropland fire in NEC was nearly 3 times that of those forest fire cases. Ratios of NOx to aerosol, HCHO, and CO in the cropland case in NEC show much higher values than those in the forest fire cases. Despite the differences of the Ce and the composition ratios, the DSRF efficiency of smoke aerosol at the top of atmosphere showed similar values among those fire cases. Our results highlight the large variability of emission rate and relative chemical composition but similar DSRF efficiencies among wildfires, which would provide valuable information for understanding the impact of fire on air quality and climate.

Aerosol optical properties and radiative impacts in the Pearl River Delta region of China during the dry season

Aerosol optical properties and direct radiative effects on surface irradiance were examined using seven years (2006–2012) of Cimel sunphotometer data collected at Panyu—the main atmospheric composition monitoring station in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region of China. During the dry season (October to February), mean values of the aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 550 nm, the Angstrom exponent, and the single scattering albedo at 440 nm (SSA) were 0.54, 1.33 and 0.87, respectively. About 90% of aerosols were dominated by fine-mode strongly absorbing particles. The size distribution was bimodal, with fine-mode particles dominating. The fine mode showed a peak at a radius of 0.12 μm in February and October (∼ 0.10 μm3μm-2). The mean diurnal shortwave direct radiative forcing at the surface, inside the atmosphere (FATM), and at the top of the atmosphere, was −33.4±7.0, 26.1±5.6 and −7.3±2.7Wm−2, respectively. The corresponding mean values of aerosol direct shortwave radiative forcing per AOD were −60.0 ± 7.8, 47.3 ± 8.3 and −12.8 ± 3.1 W m−2, respectively. Moreover, during the study period, FATM showed a significant decreasing trend (p < 0.01) and SSA increased from 0.87 in 2006 to 0.91 in 2012, suggesting a decreasing trend of absorbing particles being released into the atmosphere. Optical properties and radiative impacts of the absorbing particles can be used to improve the accuracy of inversion algorithms for satellite-based aerosol retrievals in the PRD region and to better constrain the climate effect of aerosols in climate models.

Grid-cell aerosol direct shortwave radiative forcing calculated using the SBDART model with MODIS and AERONET observations: An application in winter and summer in eastern China

Taking winter and summer in eastern China as an example application, a grid-cell method of aerosol direct radiative forcing (ADRF) calculation is examined using the Santa Barbara DISORT Atmospheric Radiative Transfer (SBDART) model with inputs from MODIS and AERONET observations and reanalysis data. Results show that there are significant seasonal and regional differences in climatological mean aerosol optical parameters and ADRF. Higher aerosol optical depth (AOD) occurs in summer and two prominent high aerosol loading centers are observed. Higher single scattering albedo (SSA) in summer is likely associated with the weak absorbing secondary aerosols. SSA is higher in North China during summer but higher in South China during winter. Aerosols induce negative forcing at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) and surface during both winter and summer, which may be responsible for the decrease in temperature and the increase in relative humidity. Values of ADRF at the surface are four times stronger than those at the TOA. Both AOD and ADRF present strong interannual variations; however, their amplitudes are larger in summer. Moreover, patterns and trends of ADRF do not always correspond well to those of AOD. Differences in the spatial distributions of ADRF between strong and weak monsoon years are captured effectively. Generally, the present results justify that to calculate grid-cell ADRF at a large scale using the SBDART model with observational aerosol optical properties and reanalysis data is an effective approach.

Aerosol direct shortwave radiative forcing effect based on SBDART model in the Pearl River Delta, Guangdong (China)

Aerosols play an important role in the energy budget of the earth-atmosphere system. In this paper, we studied aerosol shortwave direct radiative forcing (DRF) effects in Pearl River Delta based on SBDART and a 'two-layer-single-wavelength' model. Simulation results indicated that the underlying surface type and solar zenith angle have significant impacts on aerosol radiative forcing. The comparison between aerosol radiative forcing effects on urban asphalt surface and vegetation shows cooling and warming effects of aerosol shortwave radiative forcing on urban asphalt are much more apparent than that on vegetation, implying aerosols over asphalt-predominated cities will impact the local climate. Then we estimated variations of average DRF and net radiation flux with solar zenith angle in the Pearl River Delta. DRF indicates warming at solar zenith angles of 0°, 20°, 40° and 60°, but cooling at 80°. Net radiation flux increases with a decrease in aerosol optical thickness (AOT) at low elevation, but with an increase in AOT above 5 km.

Aerosol direct shortwave radiative forcing effect based on SBDART model in the Pearl River Delta, Guangdong (China)

Aerosol direct shortwave radiative forcing effect based on SBDART model in the Pearl River Delta, Guangdong (China)

Effect of particle shape on dust shortwave direct radiative forcing calculations based on MODIS observations for a case study

Assuming spheroidal and spherical particle shapes for mineral dust aerosols, the effect of particle shape on dust aerosol optical depth retrievals, and subsequently on instantaneous shortwave direct radiative forcing (SWDRF) at the top of the atmosphere (TOA), is assessed based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data for a case study. Specifically, a simplified aerosol retrieval algorithm based on the principle of the Deep Blue aerosol retrieval method is employed to retrieve dust aerosol optical depths, and the Fu-Liou radiative transfer model is used to derive the instantaneous SWDRF of dust at the TOA for cloud-free conditions. Without considering the effect of particle shape on dust aerosol optical depth retrievals, the effect of particle shape on the scattering properties of dust aerosols (e.g., extinction efficiency, single scattering albedo and asymmetry factor) is negligible, which can lead to a relative difference of at most 5% for the SWDRF at the TOA. However, the effect of particle shape on the SWDRF cannot be neglected provided that the effect of particle shape on dust aerosol optical depth retrievals is also taken into account for SWDRF calculations. The corresponding results in an instantaneous case study show that the relative differences of the SWDRF at the TOA between spheroids and spheres depend critically on the scattering angles at which dust aerosol optical depths are retrieved, and can be up to 40% for low dust-loading conditions.

Spatial heterogeneity in spectral variability of aerosol optical depth and its implications to aerosol radiative forcing in the Tropical Indian Ocean and in the Indian Ocean Sector of Southern Ocean

The aerosol optical depths (AODs) in the wavelength range 380–875nm and black carbon (BC) mass concentrations were estimated over the tropical Indian Ocean and in the Indian Ocean sector of Southern Ocean, between 14°N and 53°S, during December 2011–February 2012, onboard the Ocean Research Vessel (ORV) Sagar Nidhi. The data were analysed to understand the spectral variability, micro-physical characteristics of aerosols and the associated radiative forcing. Concurrent MODIS-derived chlorophyll a (Chl-a) and sea-surface temperature (SST) provided ancillary data used to understand the variability of biomass in association with fronts and the possible role of phytoplankton as a source of aerosols. AODs and their spectral dependencies were distinctly different north and south of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). North of 11°S (the northern limit of ITCZ), the spectral distribution of AOD followed Ängstrom turbidity formule (Junge power law function), while it deviated from such a distribution south of 16°S (southern boundary of ITCZ). At the southern limit of the ITCZ and beyond, the spectral variation of AOD showed a peak around 440nm, the amplitude of which was highest at ~43°S, the axis of the subtropical front (STF) with the highest Chl-a concentration (0.35µgl−1) in the region. To understand the role of Chl-a in increasing AOD at 440nm, AOD at this wavelength was estimated using Optical properties of Aerosols and Clouds (OPAC) model. The anomalies between the measured and model-estimated (difference between the measured and estimated AOD values at 440nm) AOD440 were correlated with Chl-a concentrations. A very high and significant association with coefficient of determination (R2=0.80) indicates the contribution of Chl-a as a source of aerosols in this part of the ocean. On the basis of the measured aerosol properties, the study area was divided into three zones; Zone 1 comprising of the area between 10°N and 11°S; Zone 2 from 16°S to 53°S; and Zone 3 from 52°S to 24°S during the return leg. BC mass concentration was in the range 520ngm−3 to 2535ngm−3 in Zone 1, while it was extremely low in the other zones (ranging from 49.3 to 264.4ngm−3 in Zone 2 and from 61.6ngm−3 to 303.3ngm−3 in Zone 3). The atmospheric direct-short wave radiative forcing (DRSF), estimated using a radiative transfer model (Santa Barbara DISORT Atmospheric Radiative Transfer – SBDART), was in the range 4.72–27.62wm−2 north of 16°S, and 4.80–6.25wm−2 south of 16°S.

Assessment of direct radiative forcing due to secondary organic aerosol over China with a regional climate model

Using the regional climate model (RegCM4), optical depth and shortwave (SW) direct radiative forcing (DRF) of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) are investigated over China during the summer period. The biogenic emission and gas phase chemistry modules are updated to investigate α-pinene and limonene emissions and their reactions with atmosphere oxidants. The VBS (volatility basis set) model is implemented into RegCM4 to illustrate gas-particle partition process. During the study period (July 2006), the mean surface concentration and column burden of anthropogenic SOA (ASOA) over China are 1.90 µg m−3 and 4.50 mg m−3, respectively. The ones of biogenic SOA (BSOA) are 2.00 and 3.35 mg m−3, respectively. Monthly mean calculated optical depths (at 550 nm) are 0.020 and 0.013 for ASOA and BSOA. The domain averaged simulated ASOA direct SW radiative forcing at surface and at the top of atmosphere (TOA) are −1.21 and −0.66 W m−2. For BSOA, the surface and TOA SW DRF are −0.75 and −0.46 W m−2. The errors induced by applying optical parameters of primary organic aerosol for SOA DRF modelling are also accessed. For DRF at TOA, it will increase by 156 and 161% for ASOA and BSOA. Though the optical parameters applied in this study are still rough, especially for intermediate SOA, this is a first step to apply explicit optical parameters for both ASOA and BSOA in DRF estimation.

Sensitivity simulations with direct shortwave radiative forcing by aeolian dust during glacial cycles

Abstract. Possible feedback effects between aeolian dust, climate and ice sheets are studied for the first time with an Earth system model of intermediate complexity over the late Pleistocene period. Correlations between climate and dust deposition records suggest that aeolian dust potentially plays an important role for the evolution of glacial cycles. Here climatic effects from the dust direct radiative forcing (DRF) caused by absorption and scattering of solar radiation are investigated. Key elements controlling the dust DRF are the atmospheric dust distribution and the absorption-scattering efficiency of dust aerosols. Effective physical parameters in the description of these elements are varied within uncertainty ranges known from available data and detailed model studies. Although the parameters can be reasonably constrained, the simulated dust DRF spans a~wide uncertainty range related to the strong nonlinearity of the Earth system. In our simulations, the dust DRF is highly localized. Medium-range parameters result in negative DRF of several watts per square metre in regions close to major dust sources and negligible values elsewhere. In the case of high absorption efficiency, the local dust DRF can reach positive values and the global mean DRF can be insignificantly small. In the case of low absorption efficiency, the dust DRF can produce a significant global cooling in glacial periods, which leads to a doubling of the maximum glacial ice volume relative to the case with small dust DRF. DRF-induced temperature and precipitation changes can either be attenuated or amplified through a feedback loop involving the dust cycle. The sensitivity experiments suggest that depending on dust optical parameters, dust DRF has the potential to either damp or reinforce glacial–interglacial climate changes.

Dust Aerosol Characteristics and Shortwave Radiative Impact at a Gobi Desert of Northwest China during the Spring of 2012

The Semi-Arid Climate and Environment Observatory of Lanzhou University (SACOL) project initiated an intensive field experiment on dust aerosols in Dunhuang from April 1 to June 12, 2012. Using sky radiometer measurements and conducting model simulations, we investigated the dust aerosol characteristics and its short-wave radiative impact on the regional climate. The daily averaged optical features of the aerosols markedly varied throughout the study period. High aerosol loading and predominantly coarse particulates were observed in the spring of 2012 ascribed to the influence of prevalent dust storm. The single scattering albedo at 500 nm (SSA(500)) varied from 0.91 to 0.97 on dusty days and from 0.86 to 0.91 on dust-free days, indicating that the dust aerosols sourced from northwest China were not strongly absorbing. Surface radiation quantities estimated by the radiative transfer model excellently agreed with ground-based and satellite observations, with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.990 and mean differences ranging from -3.9 to 17.0 W m(-2). The daily mean aerosol shortwave direct radiative forcing (ARF) values were largely negative at the surface (-79.4 to -3.2 W m(-2)) and moderately positive in the atmosphere (2.2-25.1 W m(-2)), indicating strong cooling at the surface and moderate atmospheric warming. The monthly averaged ARFEs (ARFs per unit aerosol optical depth at 500 nm (AOD(500))) at the surface were (-73.9 +/- 11.6) W m(-2), (-67.4 +/- 8.3) W m(-2), and (-74.4 +/- 5.4) W m(-2) in April, May, and June, respectively (overall average of (-70.8 +/- 7.9) W m(-2)), comparable to previously obtained values in East Asia and India domains. The relations between the diurnal ARFs at the surface and top of the atmosphere (TOA) and the AOD(500) indicate that aerosol composition remained relatively stable at Dunhuang during the spring of 2012. The ARF at the TOA was positive for SSA(500) less than 0.85 or when the imaginary part at 500 nm exceeded 0.015.

Global all‐sky shortwave direct radiative forcing of anthropogenic aerosols from combined satellite observations and GOCART simulations

Estimation of aerosol direct radiative forcing (DRF) from satellite measurements is challenging because current satellite sensors do not have the capability of discriminating between anthropogenic and natural aerosols. We combine 3‐hourly cloud properties from satellite retrievals with two aerosol data sets to calculate the all‐sky aerosol direct radiative effect (DRE), which is the mean radiative perturbation due to the presence of both natural and anthropogenic aerosols. The first aerosol data set is based upon Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Model for Atmospheric Transport and Chemistry (MATCH) assimilation model and is largely constrained by MODIS aerosol optical depth, but it does not distinguish between anthropogenic and natural aerosols. The other aerosol data set is based upon the Goddard Chemistry Aerosol Radiation and Transport (GOCART) model, which does not assimilate aerosol observations but predicts the anthropogenic and natural components of aerosols. Thus, we can calculate the aerosol DRF using GOCART classifications of anthropogenic and natural aerosols and the ratio of DRF to DRE. We then apply this ratio to DRE calculated using MODIS/MATCH aerosols to partition it into DRF (MODIS/MATCH DRF) by assuming that the anthropogenic fractions from GOCART are representative. The global (60°N~60°S) mean all‐sky MODIS/MATCH DRF is −0.51 Wm−2 at the top of the atmosphere (TOA), 2.51 Wm−2 within the atmosphere, and −3.02 Wm−2 at the surface. The GOCART all‐sky DRF is −0.17 Wm−2 at the TOA, 2.02 Wm−2 within the atmosphere, and −2.19 Wm−2 at the surface. The differences between MODIS/MATCH DRF and GOCART DRF are solely due to the differences in aerosol properties, since both computations use the same cloud properties and surface albedo and the same proportion of anthropogenic contributions to aerosol DRE. Aerosol optical depths simulated by the GOCART model are smaller than those in MODIS/MATCH, and aerosols in the GOCART model are more absorbing than those in MODIS/MATCH. Large difference in all‐sky TOA DRF from these two aerosol data sets highlights the complexity in determining the all‐sky DRF, since the presence of clouds amplifies the sensitivities of DRF to aerosol single‐scattering albedo and aerosol vertical distribution.

Field measurement of clear-sky solar irradiance in Badain Jaran Desert of Northwestern China

The Semi-Arid Climate and Environment Observatory of Lanzhou University (SACOL) sponsored and conducted an intensive field campaign on dust aerosols in Badain Jaran Desert of Northwestern China from April 20 to June 20, 2010. A set of state-of-the-art broadband radiometers and sun/sky photometers were deployed along with launched radiosonde. In this paper, we compared the simulated solar irradiances by using the SBDART radiative transfer model with those from the ground-based measurements for 69 selected cases of 7 days. It was shown that the averaged aerosol optical depth at 500nm (AOD500) is 0.18±0.09 with AOD500 less than 0.5 for all cases. The single-scattering albedo and asymmetry factor at 675nm are 0.928±0.035, 0.712±0.023, respectively. The AODs retrieved from the CIMEL sun photometer at various wavelengths agree well with those from the PREDE sky radiometer, and the columnar water vapor contents from CIMEL also agree well with radiosonde observations. In the radiative closure experiment, we used a collocated thermopile pyrgeometer with a shadow and ventilator to correct the thermal dome offset of diffuse irradiance measurement. The mean differences between model and measurements are −9.1Wm−2 (−2.6%) for the direct irradiance, +3.1Wm−2 (+2.8%) for diffuse irradiance, and −6.0Wm−2 (−1.3%) for global irradiance, which indicates an excellent radiative closure. Aerosol shortwave direct radiative forcing (ARF) and radiative heating rate are also investigated. The daily mean ARF ranges from −4.8 to +0.4Wm−2 at the top of the atmosphere, −5.2 to −15.6Wm−2 at the surface, and 5.2 to 10.8Wm−2 in the atmosphere. The corresponding radiative heating rates for the whole atmosphere due to dust aerosols are 0.07, 0.11, 0.14, 0.11, 0.10, 0.08, and 0.07K/day for the 7 selected cloudless days. These solar radiative forcing can be considered as the representative impact of background dust aerosol in Northwestern China.

Seasonal variations of aerosol optical properties, vertical distribution and associated radiative effects in the Yangtze Delta region of China

Four years of columnar aerosol optical properties and a one‐year vertical profiles of aerosol particle extinction coefficient at 527 nm are analyzed at Taihu in the central Yangtze River Delta region in eastern China. Seasonal variations of aerosol optical properties, vertical distribution, and influence on shortwave radiation and heating rates were investigated. Multiyear variations of aerosol optical depths (AOD), Ångstrom exponents, single scattering albedo (SSA) and asymmetry factor (ASY) are analyzed, together with the vertical profile of aerosol extinction. AOD is largest in summer and smallest in winter. SSAs exhibit weak seasonal variation with the smallest values occurring during winter and the largest during summer. The vast majority of aerosol particles are below 2 km, and about 62%, 67%, 67% and 83% are confined to below 1 km in spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively. Five‐day back trajectory analyses show that the some aerosols aloft are traced back to northern/northwestern China, as far as Mongolia and Siberia, in spring, autumn and winter. The presence of dust aerosols were identified based on the linear depolarization measurements together with other information (i.e., back trajectory, precipitation, aerosol index). Dust strongly impacts the vertical particle distribution in spring and autumn, with much smaller effects in winter. The annual mean aerosol direct shortwave radiative forcing (efficiency) at the bottom, top and within the atmosphere are −34.8 ± 9.1 (−54.4 ± 5.3), −8.2 ± 4.8 (−13.1 ± 1.5) and 26.7 ± 9.4 (41.3 ± 4.6) W/m2 (Wm−2 τ−1), respectively. The mean reduction in direct and diffuse radiation reaching surface amount to 109.2 ± 49.4 and 66.8 ± 33.3 W/m2, respectively. Aerosols significantly alter the vertical profile of solar heating, with great implications for atmospheric stability and dynamics within the lower troposphere.

Optical characterization of continental and biomass-burning aerosols over Bozeman, Montana: A case study of the aerosol direct effect

[1] Atmospheric aerosol optical properties were observed from 21 to 27 September 2009 over Bozeman, Montana, during a transitional period in which background polluted rural continental aerosols and well-aged biomass-burning aerosols were the dominant aerosol types of extremely fresh biomass-burning aerosols resulting from forest fires burning in the northwestern United States and Canada. Aerosol optical properties and relative humidity profiles were retrieved using an eye-safe micropulse water vapor differential absorption lidar (DIAL) (MP-DIAL), a single-channel backscatter lidar, a CIMEL solar radiometer as part of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET), a ground-based integrating nephelometer, and aerosol products from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Terra and Aqua. Aerosol optical depths (AODs) measured during the case study ranged between 0.03 and 0.17 (0.015 and 0.075) at 532 nm (830 nm) as episodic combinations of fresh and aged biomass-burning aerosols dominated the optical depth of the pristinely clean background air. Here, a pristinely clean background refers to very low AOD conditions, not that the aerosol scattering and absorption properties are necessarily representative of a clean aerosol type. Diurnal variability in the aerosol extinction to backscatter ratio (Sa) of the background atmosphere derived from the two lidars, which ranged between 55 and 95 sr (50 and 90 sr) at 532 nm (830 nm), showed good agreement with retrievals from AERONET sun and sky measurements over the same time period but were consistently higher than some aerosol models had predicted. Sa measured during the episodic smoke events ranged on average from 60 to 80 sr (50 to 70 sr) at 532 nm (830 nm) while the very fresh biomass-burning aerosols were shown to exhibit significantly lower Sa ranging between 20 and 40 sr. The shortwave direct radiative forcing that was due to the intrusion of biomass-burning aerosols was calculated to be on average −10 W/m2 and was shown to compare favorably with regional-scale forcing calculations using MODIS-Terra and AERONET data in an effort to assess the accuracy of estimating the regional-scale aerosol direct radiative forcing effect using aerosol optical properties measured from a single rural site such as Bozeman, Montana.

Polar aerosol characterization, sources and impacts

Aerosols are known to cause important effects on weather and climate of Polar Regions and their radiation balance of the polar surface-atmosphere system, especially in the regions characterized by high surface-reflectance conditions, which also prevails the heterogeneous chemistry of aerosols. Therefore, the knowledge of the aerosol physical and optical properties needs to be improved on both spatial and temporal scales. To characterize these physico-chemical and optical properties, studies have been carried out over both the polar regions [Antarctica (‘Maitri’ (70.76oS, 11.74oE) and Arctic “Himadri” (79°N, 11°E) during the summer period of 24th (2004-05), 26th (2006-07) Indian Antarctica Expedition, and during 14th Indian Arctic Expedition in 2010. Total column aerosol optical depth (AOD), ozone (TCO), precipitable water content (PWC), and direct radiative forcing using a multi-channel solar-radiometer (Microtops II); and short-wave global radiative flux using a wide-band pyranometer for their characteristics. In the Arctic, an Andersen Sampler, Black Carbon Aethalometer was also operated to determine the chemical properties of aerosols.&#x0D; The aerosol optical, physical and radiative properties, and their interface with simultaneously measured gases and their chemical composition have been investigated. The results showed that the daily mean AOD at a characteristic wavelength of 500 nm was found to be 0.042 with an average Angstrom coefficient of 0.24, revealing abundance of coarse-mode particles in Antarctica, and Arctic average AOD was observed 0.11 with an average Angstrom coefficient of 2.84, suggesting fine-mode particles. The TCO measured by the surface-based ozone monitor matched reasonably within 5% with that of the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) satellite sensor. Variability in ozone on daily scale, during the study period, was less than 4% over the Antarctica region and more or less same for Arctic.&#x0D; The January 2005 fluxes were found to be less by about 20% as compared to those in February 2005. The average short-wave direct radiative forcing due to aerosols showed cooling at the surface with an average value of -0.47 W/m2 during the study period. In this paper, we briefly describe the equipment deployed, data archival, their analysis techniques and salient results obtained over the Indian polar stations, ‘Maitri’ and ‘Himadri’.

Characterization of aerosols and pre-cursor gases over Maitri during 24th Indian Antarctica Expedition

Within the framework of the 24th Indian Antarctica Expedition (IAE), observations of total column aerosol optical depth (AOD), ozone (TCO) and precipitable water content (TCW) using a multi-channel solar-radiometer (MICROTOPS-II: Microprocessor-controlled Total Ozone Portable Spectrometer-II), and observations of short-wave global radiative flux using a wide-band pyranometer have been carried out over the Indian Antarctica station Maitri (70.76° S, 11.74° E) and the southern Indian Ocean during December 2004–February 2005. These extensive datasets have been utilized to investigate the aerosol optical, physical and radiative properties, and their interface with simultaneously measured gases. Data over the Oceanic region have been collected from the ship front deck. The daily mean AOD at a characteristic wavelength of 500 nm was found to be 0.042 with an average Angstrom coefficient of 0.24, revealing an abundance of coarse-mode particles. Interestingly, the January fluxes were found to be less by about 20% compared with those in February. The average short-wave direct radiative forcing due to aerosols showed cooling at the surface with an average value of −0.47 Wm−2. The TCO increased from about 252 DU around 38° S to about 312 DU at 70° S, showing a gradual increase in ozone with increasing latitude. The TCO measured by the surface-based ozone monitor matched reasonably well with that observed by the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) satellite sensor within 5%. Variability in ozone on a daily scale during the study period was less than 4% over the Antarctica region.