scholarly journals Investigation of the "elevated heat pump" hypothesis of the Asian monsoon using satellite observations

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (16) ◽  
pp. 8749-8761 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. Wonsick ◽  
R. T. Pinker ◽  
Y. Ma
Keyword(s):  
Heat Pump ◽  
Early Onset ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Asian Monsoon ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Global Precipitation Climatology Project ◽  
Western China ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Northern India

Abstract. The "elevated heat pump" (EHP) hypothesis has been a topic of intensive research and controversy. It postulates that aerosol-induced anomalous mid- and upper-tropospheric warming in the Himalayan foothills and above the Tibetan Plateau leads to an early onset and intensification of Asian monsoon rainfall. This finding is primarily based on results from a NASA finite-volume general circulation model run with and without radiative forcing from different types of aerosols. In particular, black carbon emissions from sources in northern India and dust from Western China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Thar Desert, and the Arabian Peninsula drive the modeled anomalous heating. Since the initial discussion of the EHP hypothesis in 2006, the aerosol–monsoon relationship has been investigated using various modeling and observational techniques. The current study takes a novel observational approach to detect signatures of the "elevated heat pump" effect on convection, precipitation, and temperature for contrasting aerosol content years during the period of 2000–2012. The analysis benefits from unique high-resolution convection information inferred from Meteosat-5 observations as available through 2005. Additional data sources include temperature data from the NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis and the European Reanalysis (ERA-Interim) precipitation data from the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP), aerosol optical depth from the Multi-angle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and aerosol optical properties from the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) aerosol reanalysis. Anomalous upper-tropospheric warming and the early onset and intensification of the Indian monsoon were not consistently observed during the years with high loads of absorbing aerosols. Possibly, model assumptions and/or unaccounted semi-direct aerosol effects caused the disagreement between observed and hypothesized behavior.

scholarly journals Investigation of the "Elevated Heat Pump" hypothesis of the Asian monsoon using satellite observations

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 10125-10156 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. Wonsick ◽  
R. T. Pinker ◽  
Y. Ma
Keyword(s):  
Heat Pump ◽  
Early Onset ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Asian Monsoon ◽  
Monsoon Rainfall ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Western China ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Asian Monsoon Region

Abstract. In recent years, the "Elevated Heat Pump" (EHP) hypothesis has been a topic of intensive research and controversy. It postulates that aerosol-induced anomalous mid- and upper-tropospheric warming above the Tibetan Plateau leads to an early onset and intensification of Asian monsoon rainfall. The finding is primarily based on results from a NASA Finite-Volume General Circulation Model run with and without radiative forcing from different types of aerosols. In particular, black carbon emissions from sources in Northern India and dust from Western China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Southwest Asia affected the modeled anomalous heating. Since the initial discussion of the EHP hypothesis in 2006, the aerosol-monsoon relationship has been addressed using various modeling and observational techniques. The current study takes an observational approach to detect signatures of the "Elevated Heat Pump" effect in the cloud cover and cloud type distributions as derived from Meteosat-5 observations over the Asian Monsoon region, supplemented with temperature data from the NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis and precipitation data from the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP). Cloud, convection, precipitation, and temperature features for the highest-aerosol years are compared with lower-aerosol content years during the period 2000–2005. Predicted precipitation features in China and Korea are found to be consistent with the hypothesis, but the early onset and intensification of monsoon rainfall over India are not observed. It is proposed that model inaccuracies and/or indirect aerosol effects caused the disagreement between observed and hypothesized behavior.

scholarly journals A new radiation infrastructure for the Modular Earth Submodel System (MESSy, based on version 2.51)

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Dietmüller ◽  
Patrick Jöckel ◽  
Holger Tost ◽  
Markus Kunze ◽  
Cathrin Gellhorn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Shortwave Radiation ◽  
Aerosol Optical Properties ◽  
On Line ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
Radiation Scheme

Abstract. The Modular Earth Submodel System (MESSy) provides an interface to couple submodels to a basemodel via a highly flexible data management facility (Jöckel et al., 2010). In the present paper we present the four new radiation related submodels RAD, AEROPT, CLOUDOPT and ORBIT. The submodel RAD (with shortwave radiation scheme RAD_FUBRAD) simulates the radiative transfer, the submodel AEROPT calculates the aerosol optical properties, the submodel CLOUDOPT calculates the cloud optical properties, and the submodel ORBIT is responsible for Earth orbit calculations. These submodels are coupled via the standard MESSy infrastructure and are largely based on the original radiation scheme of the general circulation model ECHAM5, however, expanded with additional features. These features comprise, among others, user-friendly and flexibly controllable (by namelists) on-line radiative forcing calculations by multiple diagnostic calls of the radiation routines. With this, it is now possible to calculate radiative forcing (instantaneous as well as stratosphere adjusted) of various greenhouse gases simultaneously in only one simulation, as well as the radiative forcing of cloud perturbations. Examples of on-line radiative forcing calculations in the ECHAM/MESSy Atmospheric Chemistry (EMAC) model are presented.

scholarly journals Climatic effects of 1950–2050 changes in US anthropogenic aerosols – Part 1: Aerosol trends and radiative forcing

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 24085-24125 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. Leibensperger ◽  
L. J. Mickley ◽  
D. J. Jacob ◽  
W.-T. Chen ◽  
J. H. Seinfeld ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
So2 Emissions ◽  
Anthropogenic Aerosols ◽  
Climatic Effects ◽  
Anthropogenic Aerosol ◽  
Direct Forcing

Abstract. We use the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model combined with the GISS general circulation model to calculate the aerosol direct and indirect (warm cloud) radiative forcings from US anthropogenic sources over the 1950–2050 period, based on historical emission inventories and future projections from the IPCC A1B scenario. The aerosol simulation is evaluated with observed spatial distributions and 1980–2010 trends of aerosol concentrations and wet deposition in the contiguous US. The radiative forcing from US anthropogenic aerosols is strongly localized over the eastern US. We find that it peaked in 1970–1990, with values over the eastern US (east of 100° W) of −2.0 W m−2 for direct forcing including contributions from sulfate (−2.0 W m−2), nitrate (−0.2 W m−2), organic carbon (−0.2 W m−2), and black carbon (+0.4 W m−2). The aerosol indirect effect is of comparable magnitude to the direct forcing. We find that the forcing declined sharply from 1990 to 2010 (by 0.8 W m−2 direct and 1.0 W m−2 indirect), mainly reflecting decreases in SO2 emissions, and project that it will continue declining post-2010 but at a much slower rate since US SO2 emissions have already declined by almost 60 % from their peak. This suggests that much of the warming effect of reducing US anthropogenic aerosol sources may have already been realized by 2010, however some additional warming is expected through 2020. The small positive radiative forcing from US BC emissions (+0.3 W m−2 over the eastern US in 2010) suggests that an emission control strategy focused on BC would have only limited climate benefit.

Modelling high-latitude explosive eruptions and their atmospheric and environmental impacts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herman Fuglestvedt ◽  
Zhihong Zhuo ◽  
Michael Sigl ◽  
Matthew Toohey ◽  
Michael Mills ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
High Latitude ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Lower Thermosphere ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Ice Cores ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Explosive Eruptions ◽  
Sulphate Deposition

<p>Large explosive volcanic eruptions inject sulphur into the stratosphere where it is converted to sulphur dioxide and sulphate aerosols. Due to atmospheric circulation patterns, aerosols from high-latitude eruptions typically remain concentrated in the hemisphere in which they are injected. Eruptions in the high-latitude Northern Hemisphere could thus lead to a stronger hemispheric radiative forcing and surface climate response than tropical eruptions, a claim that is supported by a previous study based on proxy records and the coupled aerosol-general circulation model MAECHAM5-HAM. Additionally, the subsequent surface deposition of volcanic sulphate is potentially harmful to humans and ecosystems, and an improved understanding of the deposition over polar ice sheets can contribute to better reconstructions of historical volcanic forcing. On this basis, we model Icelandic explosive eruptions in a pre-industrial atmosphere, taking both volcanic sulphur and halogen loading into account. We use the fully coupled Earth system model CESM2 with the atmospheric component WACCM6, which extends to the lower thermosphere and has prognostic stratospheric aerosols and full chemistry. In order to study the volcanic impacts on the atmosphere, environment, and sulphate deposition, we vary eruption parameters such as sulphur and halogen loading, and injection altitude and season. The modelled volcanic sulphate deposition is compared to the deposition in ice cores following comparable historical eruptions. Furthermore, we evaluate the potential environmental impacts of sulphate deposition. To study inter-model differences, we also compare the CESM2-WACCM6 simulations to similar Icelandic eruption experiments simulated with MAECHAM5-HAM. </p>

scholarly journals Reexamination of the Late Pliocene Climate over China Using a 25-km Resolution General Circulation Model

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 897-916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Yan ◽  
Ting Wei ◽  
Zhongshi Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Precipitation Change ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Model Resolution ◽  
Geological Evidence ◽  
Late Pliocene

Simulations of past warm climate provide an opportunity to better understand how the climate system may respond to increased greenhouse gas emissions. Using the ~25-km-resolution Community Atmosphere Model, version 4 (CAM4), we examine climate change over China in the Late Pliocene warm period (3.264–3.025 Ma) and further explore the influences of different sea surface temperature (SST) forcings and model horizontal resolutions. Initial evaluation shows that the high-resolution CAM4 performs well in capturing the climatological distribution of present-day temperature, precipitation, and low-level monsoon circulations over China. Based on the standard Pliocene Research, Interpretation and Synoptic Mapping (version 4; PRISM4) boundary conditions, CAM4 predicts an increase of annual mean temperature by ~0.5°C over China in the Late Pliocene relative to the preindustrial era, with the greatest warming in northwest China but cooling in southwest China. Enhanced annual mean precipitation is observed in the Late Pliocene over most of China except for northwest China where precipitation is decreased. The East Asian summer (winter) monsoon is intensified (weakened) in the Late Pliocene as suggested by geological evidence, which is attributed to the enhanced (reduced) land–sea thermal contrast. The East Asian monsoon domain exhibits a northwestward expansion in the Late Pliocene, especially over the Tibetan Plateau. Additionally, our results indicate that the modeled climate change is sensitive to the Late Pliocene SST forcings and model resolution. Particularly, different SST forcings [PRISM4-based vs Pliocene Model Intercomparison Project (PlioMIP)-based SSTs] affect the modeled phase change of summer monsoon and the associated precipitation change, while model resolution (~25 vs 400 km) mainly impacts precipitation change.

scholarly journals Interannual Variations of Summer Monsoons: Sensitivity to Cloud Radiative Forcing

1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1883-1905 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. P. Sharma ◽  
H. Le Treut ◽  
G. Sèze ◽  
L. Fairhead ◽  
R. Sadourny
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Model Simulation ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Interannual Variations ◽  
Radiative Effects ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Sea Temperature

Abstract The sensitivity of the interannual variations of the summer monsoons to imposed cloudiness has been studied with a general circulation model using the initial conditions prepared from the European Centre for Medium-Range Forecasts analyses of 1 May 1987 and 1988. The cloud optical properties in this global model are calculated from prognostically computed cloud liquid water. The model successfully simulates the contrasting behavior of these two successive monsoons. However, when the optical properties of the observed clouds are specified in the model runs, the simulations show some degradation over India and its vicinity. The main cause of this degradation is the reduced land–sea temperature contrast resulting from the radiative effects of the observed clouds imposed in such simulations. It is argued that the high concentration of condensed water content of clouds over the Indian land areas will serve to limit heating of the land, thereby reducing the thermal contrast that gives rise to a weak Somali jet. A countermonsoon circulation is, therefore, simulated in the vector difference field of 850-hPa winds from the model runs with externally specified clouds. This countermonsoon circulation is associated with an equatorial heat source that is the response of the model to the radiative effects of the imposed clouds. Indeed, there are at least two clear points that can be made: 1) the cloud–SST patterns, together, affect the interannual variability; and 2) with both clouds and SST imposed, the model simulation is less sensitive to initial conditions. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of dynamically consistent clouds developing in response to the dynamical, thermal, and moist state of the atmosphere during model integrations.

scholarly journals Preindustrial-to-present-day radiative forcing by tropospheric ozone from improved simulations with the GISS chemistry-climate GCM

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 1675-1702 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. T. Shindell ◽  
G. Faluvegi ◽  
N. Bell
Keyword(s):  
Tropospheric Ozone ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Circulation Model ◽  
Tropospheric Chemistry ◽  
True Value ◽  
Tropopause Region ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Goddard Institute

Abstract. Improved estimates of the radiative forcing from tropospheric ozone increases since the preindustrial have been calculated with the tropospheric chemistry model used at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) within the GISS general circulation model (GCM). The chemistry in this model has been expanded to include simplified representations of peroxyacetylnitrates and non-methane hydrocarbons in addition to background NOx-HOx-Ox-CO-CH4 chemistry. The GCM has improved resolution and physics in the boundary layer, improved resolution near the tropopause, and now contains a full representation of stratospheric dynamics. Simulations of present-day conditions show that this coupled chemistry-climate model is better able to reproduce observed tropospheric ozone, especially in the tropopause region, which is critical to climate forcing. Comparison with preindustrial simulations gives a global annual average radiative forcing due to tropospheric ozone increases of 0.30 W/m2 with standard assumptions for preindustrial emissions. Locally, the forcing reaches more than 0.8 W/m2 in parts of the northern subtropics during spring and summer, and is more than 0.6 W/m2 through nearly all the Northern subtropics and mid-latitudes during summer. An alternative preindustrial simulation with soil NOx emissions reduced by two-thirds and emissions of isoprene, paraffins and alkenes from vegetation increased by 50% gives a forcing of 0.33 W/m2. Given the large uncertainties in preindustrial ozone amounts, the true value may lie well outside this range.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document