scholarly journals Explicit representation of subgrid variability in cloud microphysics yields weaker aerosol indirect effect in the ECHAM5-HAM2 climate model

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 703-714 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Tonttila ◽  
H. Järvinen ◽  
P. Räisänen
Keyword(s):  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Cloud Microphysics ◽  
Radiation Balance ◽  
Anthropogenic Aerosols ◽  
Aerosol Indirect Effect ◽  
Cloud Activation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Global Mean

Abstract. The impacts of representing cloud microphysical processes in a stochastic subcolumn framework are investigated, with emphasis on estimating the aerosol indirect effect. It is shown that subgrid treatment of cloud activation and autoconversion of cloud water to rain reduce the impact of anthropogenic aerosols on cloud properties and thus reduce the global mean aerosol indirect effect by 19%, from −1.59 to −1.28 W m−2. This difference is partly related to differences in the model basic state; in particular, the liquid water path (LWP) is smaller and the shortwave cloud radiative forcing weaker when autoconversion is computed separately for each subcolumn. However, when the model is retuned so that the differences in the basic state LWP and radiation balance are largely eliminated, the global-mean aerosol indirect effect is still 14% smaller (i.e. −1.37 W m−2) than for the model version without subgrid treatment of cloud activation and autoconversion. The results show the importance of considering subgrid variability in the treatment of autoconversion. Representation of several processes in a self-consistent subgrid framework is emphasized. This paper provides evidence that omitting subgrid variability in cloud microphysics contributes to the apparently chronic overestimation of the aerosol indirect effect by climate models, as compared to satellite-based estimates.

scholarly journals Explicit representation of subgrid variability in cloud microphysics yields weaker aerosol indirect effect in the ECHAM5-HAM2 climate model

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 15523-15543
Author(s):  
J. Tonttila ◽  
H. Järvinen ◽  
P. Räisänen
Keyword(s):  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Cloud Microphysics ◽  
Anthropogenic Aerosols ◽  
Aerosol Indirect Effect ◽  
Cloud Properties ◽  
Microphysical Processes ◽  
Cloud Activation ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Impacts of representing cloud microphysical processes in a stochastic subcolumn framework are investigated, with emphasis on estimating the aerosol indirect effect. It is shown that subgrid treatment of cloud activation and autoconversion of cloud water to rain reduce the impact of anthropogenic aerosols on cloud properties and thus reduce the global mean aerosol indirect effect by 18%, from 1.59 to 1.30 W m−2. Although the results show the importance of considering subgrid variability in the treatment of autoconversion, representing several processes in a self-consistent subgrid framework is emphasized. This paper provides direct evidence that omitting subgrid variability in cloud microphysics significantly contributes to the apparently chronic overestimation of the aerosol indirect effect by climate models, as compared to satellite-based estimates.

scholarly journals Impact of biogenic hydrocarbons on tropospheric chemistry: results from a global chemistry-climate model

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 10517-10612 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Folberth ◽  
D. A. Hauglustaine ◽  
J. Lathière ◽  
F. Brocheton
Keyword(s):  
Tropospheric Ozone ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Tropospheric Chemistry ◽  
Secondary Source ◽  
Peroxy Radicals ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Global Mean

Abstract. We present a description and evaluation of LMDz-INCA, a global three-dimensional chemistry-climate model, pertaining to its recently developed NMHC version. In this substantially extended version of the model a comprehensive representation of the photochemistry of non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) from biogenic, anthropogenic, and biomass-burning sources has been included. The tropospheric annual mean methane (9.2 years) and methylchloroform (5.5 years) chemical lifetimes are well within the range of previous modelling studies and are in excellent agreement with estimates established by means of global observations. The model provides a reasonable simulation of the horizontal and vertical distribution and seasonal cycle of CO and key non-methane VOC, such as acetone, methanol, and formaldehyde as compared to observational data from several ground stations and aircraft campaigns. LMDz-INCA in the NMHC version reproduces tropospheric ozone concentrations fairly well throughout most of the troposphere. The model is applied in several sensitivity studies of the biosphere-atmosphere photochemical feedback. The impact of surface emissions of isoprene, acetone, and methanol is studied. These experiments show a substantial impact of isoprene on tropospheric ozone and carbon monoxide concentrations revealing an increase in surface O3 and CO levels of up to 30 ppbv and 60 ppbv, respectively. Isoprene also appears to significantly impact the global OH distribution resulting in a decrease of the global mean tropospheric OH concentration by approximately 0.9×105 molecules cm−3 or roughly 10% and an increase in the global mean tropospheric methane lifetime by approximately four months. A global mean ozone net radiative forcing due to the isoprene induced increase in the tropospheric ozone burden of 0.09W m−2 is found. The key role of isoprene photooxidation in the global tropospheric redistribution of NOx is demonstrated. LMDz-INCA calculates an increase of PAN surface mixing ratios ranging from 75 to 750 pptv and 10 to 250 pptv during northern hemispheric summer and winter, respectively. Acetone and methanol are found to play a significant role in the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere (UT/LS) budget of peroxy radicals. Calculations with LMDz-INCA show an increase in HOx concentrations region of 8 to 15% and 10 to 15% due to methanol and acetone biogenic surface emissions, respectively. The model has been used to estimate the global tropospheric CO budget. A global CO source of 3019 TgCO yr−1 is estimated. This source divides into a primary source of 1533 TgCO yr−1 and secondary source of 1489 TgCO yr−1 deriving from VOC photooxidation. Global VOC-to-CO conversion efficiencies of 90% for methane and between 20 and 45% for individual VOC are calculated by LMDz-INCA.

scholarly journals Effective radiative forcing in the aerosol–climate model CAM5.3-MARC-ARG

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin S. Grandey ◽  
Daniel Rothenberg ◽  
Alexander Avramov ◽  
Qinjian Jin ◽  
Hsiang-He Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Regional Distribution ◽  
Radiative Effect ◽  
Mixing State ◽  
Anthropogenic Aerosols ◽  
Effective Radiative Forcing ◽  
Aerosol Module ◽  
Aerosol Emissions ◽  
Global Mean

Abstract. We quantify the effective radiative forcing (ERF) of anthropogenic aerosols modelled by the aerosol–climate model CAM5.3-MARC-ARG. CAM5.3-MARC-ARG is a new configuration of the Community Atmosphere Model version 5.3 (CAM5.3) in which the default aerosol module has been replaced by the two-Moment, Multi-Modal, Mixing-state-resolving Aerosol model for Research of Climate (MARC). CAM5.3-MARC-ARG uses the default ARG aerosol activation scheme, consistent with the default configuration of CAM5.3. We compute differences between simulations using year-1850 aerosol emissions and simulations using year-2000 aerosol emissions in order to assess the radiative effects of anthropogenic aerosols. We compare the aerosol column burdens, cloud properties, and radiative effects produced by CAM5.3-MARC-ARG with those produced by the default configuration of CAM5.3, which uses the modal aerosol module with three log-normal modes (MAM3). Compared with MAM3, we find that MARC produces stronger cooling via the direct radiative effect, stronger cooling via the surface albedo radiative effect, and stronger warming via the cloud longwave radiative effect. The global mean cloud shortwave radiative effect is similar between MARC and MAM3, although the regional distributions differ. Overall, MARC produces a global mean net ERF of −1.75 ± 0.04 W m−2, which is stronger than the global mean net ERF of −1.57 ± 0.04 W m−2 produced by MAM3. The regional distribution of ERF also differs between MARC and MAM3, largely due to differences in the regional distribution of the cloud shortwave radiative effect. We conclude that the specific representation of aerosols in global climate models, including aerosol mixing state, has important implications for climate modelling.

scholarly journals Modelled and observed changes in aerosols and surface solar radiation over Europe between 1960 and 2009

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (16) ◽  
pp. 9477-9500 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. T. Turnock ◽  
D. V. Spracklen ◽  
K. S. Carslaw ◽  
G. W. Mann ◽  
M. T. Woodhouse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Suspended Particle ◽  
Sulfate Aerosol ◽  
Anthropogenic Aerosols ◽  
Surface Solar Radiation ◽  
Aerosol Mass ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Aerosol Radiative

Abstract. Substantial changes in anthropogenic aerosols and precursor gas emissions have occurred over recent decades due to the implementation of air pollution control legislation and economic growth. The response of atmospheric aerosols to these changes and the impact on climate are poorly constrained, particularly in studies using detailed aerosol chemistry–climate models. Here we compare the HadGEM3-UKCA (Hadley Centre Global Environment Model-United Kingdom Chemistry and Aerosols) coupled chemistry–climate model for the period 1960–2009 against extensive ground-based observations of sulfate aerosol mass (1978–2009), total suspended particle matter (SPM, 1978–1998), PM10 (1997–2009), aerosol optical depth (AOD, 2000–2009), aerosol size distributions (2008–2009) and surface solar radiation (SSR, 1960–2009) over Europe. The model underestimates observed sulfate aerosol mass (normalised mean bias factor (NMBF) = −0.4), SPM (NMBF = −0.9), PM10 (NMBF = −0.2), aerosol number concentrations (N30 NMBF = −0.85; N50 NMBF = −0.65; and N100 NMBF = −0.96) and AOD (NMBF = −0.01) but slightly overpredicts SSR (NMBF = 0.02). Trends in aerosol over the observational period are well simulated by the model, with observed (simulated) changes in sulfate of −68 % (−78 %), SPM of −42 % (−20 %), PM10 of −9 % (−8 %) and AOD of −11 % (−14 %). Discrepancies in the magnitude of simulated aerosol mass do not affect the ability of the model to reproduce the observed SSR trends. The positive change in observed European SSR (5 %) during 1990–2009 ("brightening") is better reproduced by the model when aerosol radiative effects (ARE) are included (3 %), compared to simulations where ARE are excluded (0.2 %). The simulated top-of-the-atmosphere aerosol radiative forcing over Europe under all-sky conditions increased by > 3.0 W m−2 during the period 1970–2009 in response to changes in anthropogenic emissions and aerosol concentrations.

scholarly journals The first aerosol indirect effect quantified through airborne remote sensing during VOCALS-REx

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 917-931 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Painemal ◽  
P. Zuidema
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Radiant Energy ◽  
Remotely Sensed ◽  
Cloud Microphysics ◽  
Liquid Water Path ◽  
Aerosol Indirect Effect ◽  
Southeast Pacific

Abstract. The first aerosol indirect effect (1AIE) is investigated using a combination of in situ and remotely-sensed aircraft (NCAR C-130) observations acquired during VOCALS-REx over the southeast Pacific stratocumulus cloud regime. Satellite analyses have previously identified a high albedo susceptibitility to changes in cloud microphysics and aerosols over this region. The 1AIE was broken down into the product of two independently-estimated terms: the cloud aerosol interaction metric ACIτ =dlnτ/dlnNa|LWP , and the relative albedo (A) susceptibility SR-τ =dA/3dlnτ|LWP, with τ and Na denoting retrieved cloud optical thickness and in situ aerosol concentration respectively and calculated for fixed intervals of liquid water path (LWP). ACIτ was estimated by combining in situ Na sampled below the cloud, with τ and LWP derived from, respectively, simultaneous upward-looking broadband irradiance and narrow field-of-view millimeter-wave radiometer measurements, collected at 1 Hz during four eight-hour daytime flights by the C-130 aircraft. ACIτ values were typically large, close to the physical upper limit (0.33), with a modest increase with LWP. The high ACIτ values slightly exceed values reported from many previous in situ airborne studies in pristine marine stratocumulus and reflect the imposition of a LWP constraint and simultaneity of aerosol and cloud measurements. SR-τ increased with LWP and τ, reached a maximum SR-τ (0.086) for LWP (τ) of 58 g m−2 (~14), and decreased slightly thereafter. The 1AIE thus increased with LWP and is comparable to a radiative forcing of −3.2– −3.8 W m−2 for a 10% increase in Na, exceeding previously-reported global-range values. The aircraft-derived values are consistent with satellite estimates derived from instantaneous, collocated Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) albedo and MOderate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)-retrieved droplet number concentrations at 50 km resolution. The consistency of the airborne and satellite estimates, despite their independent approaches, differences in observational scales, and retrieval assumptions, is hypothesized to reflect the ideal remote sensing conditions for these homogeneous clouds. We recommend the southeast Pacific for regional model assessments of the first aerosol indirect effect on this basis. This airborne remotely-sensed approach towards quantifying 1AIE should in theory be more robust than in situ calculations because of increased sampling. However, although the technique does not explicitly depend on a remotely-derived cloud droplet number concentration (Nd), the at-times unrealistically-high Nd values suggest more emphasis on accurate airborne radiometric measurements is needed to refine this approach.

scholarly journals Aerosol–Stratocumulus–Radiation Interactions over the Southeast Pacific

2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (7) ◽  
pp. 2612-2621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guoxing Chen ◽  
Wei-Chyung Wang ◽  
Jen-Ping Chen
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Cloud Droplet ◽  
Cloud Microphysics ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Radiation Balance ◽  
Control Case ◽  
Anthropogenic Aerosols ◽  
Cloud Radiative Forcing ◽  
Aerosol Cloud ◽  
Southeast Pacific

Atmosphere–ocean general circulation models tend to underestimate the solar radiative forcing by stratocumulus over the southeast Pacific, contributing to a warm sea surface temperature (SST) bias. The underestimation may be caused by biases in either macro- or micro- (or both) physical properties of clouds. This study used the WRF Model (incorporated with a physics-based two-moment cloud microphysical scheme) together with the 2008 Variability of the American Monsoon Systems Ocean–Cloud–Atmosphere–Land Study (VOCALS) field observations to investigate the effects of anthropogenic aerosols on the stratocumulus properties and their subsequent effects on the surface radiation balance. The effects were studied by comparing two cases: a control case with the anthropogenic aerosols and a sensitivity case without the anthropogenic aerosols. Results show that the control case produced cloud properties comparable with the measurements by aircraft and that aerosol–cloud microphysical interactions play an important role in regulating solar cloud radiative forcing. As expected, the anthropogenic aerosols increase the cloud droplet number and decrease the cloud droplet size, resulting in an enhancement of solar cloud radiative forcing and a reduction in solar radiation reaching the sea surface, up to a maximum of about 30 W m−2 near the coast. Results also show that aerosol–cloud microphysics–radiation interactions are sensitive to cloud fraction, thus highlighting the role of cloud diurnal variation in studying the cloud–radiation interactions. Analysis of the high-resolution (3 km) model simulations reveals that there exists an inherent scale dependence of aerosol–cloud–radiation interactions, with coarser horizontal resolution yielding a weaker variability.

scholarly journals Middle atmosphere response to the solar cycle in irradiance and ionizing particle precipitation

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 5045-5077 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Semeniuk ◽  
V. I. Fomichev ◽  
J. C. McConnell ◽  
C. Fu ◽  
S. M. L. Melo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Rays ◽  
Particle Precipitation ◽  
Solar Cycle Variation ◽  
Cycle Variation ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. The impact of NOx and HOx production by three types of energetic particle precipitation (EPP), auroral zone medium and high energy electrons, solar proton events and galactic cosmic rays on the middle atmosphere is examined using a chemistry climate model. This process study uses ensemble simulations forced by transient EPP derived from observations with one-year repeating sea surface temperatures and fixed chemical boundary conditions for cases with and without solar cycle in irradiance. Our model results show a wintertime polar stratosphere ozone reduction of between 3 and 10 % in agreement with previous studies. EPP is found to modulate the radiative solar cycle effect in the middle atmosphere in a significant way, bringing temperature and ozone variations closer to observed patterns. The Southern Hemisphere polar vortex undergoes an intensification from solar minimum to solar maximum instead of a weakening. This changes the solar cycle variation of the Brewer-Dobson circulation, with a weakening during solar maxima compared to solar minima. In response, the tropical tropopause temperature manifests a statistically significant solar cycle variation resulting in about 4 % more water vapour transported into the lower tropical stratosphere during solar maxima compared to solar minima. This has implications for surface temperature variation due to the associated change in radiative forcing.

Implications of aerosol-induced snow darkening on regional hydroclimate over the Himalayas

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijayakumar Sivadasan Nair ◽  
Usha Keshav Hasyagar ◽  
Surendran Nair Suresh Babu
Keyword(s):  
South Asia ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Hydrological Cycle ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Radiation Balance ◽  
Western Himalayas ◽  
Radiative Effect ◽  
Anthropogenic Aerosols ◽  
Snow Albedo ◽  
Snow Cover Extent

<p>The snow-covered mountains of Himalayas are known to play a crucial role in the hydrology of South Asia and are known as the “Asian water tower”. Despite the high elevations, the transport of anthropogenic aerosols from south Asia and desert dust from west Asia plays a significant role in directly and indirectly perturbing the radiation balance and hydrological cycle over the region. Absorbing aerosols like black carbon (BC) and dust deposited on the snow surface reduces the albedo of the Himalayan snow significantly (snow darkening or snow albedo effect). Using a Regional Climate Model (RegCM-4.6.0) coupled with SNow, ICe and Aerosol Radiation (SNICAR) module, the implications of aerosol-induced snow darkening on the regional hydroclimate of the Himalayas are investigated in this study. The aerosols deposited on snow shows a distinct regional heterogeneity. The albedo reduction due to aerosols shows a west to east gradient during pre-monsoon season and this results in the positive radiative effect of about 29 Wm<sup>-2</sup>, 17 Wm<sup>-2</sup> and 5 Wm<sup>-2</sup> over western, central and eastern Himalayas respectively. The reduction in the snow albedo also results in the sign reversal of the aerosol direct radiative effect i.e., from warming to cooling at the top of the atmosphere during pre-monsoon season. The excess solar energy trapped at the surface due to snow darkening warms the surface (0.66-1.9 K) and thus decreases the snow cover extent significantly. This results in the reduction of the number of snow-covered days by more than a month over the western Himalayas and about 10 – 15 days over the central Himalayas. The early snowmelt due to aerosol-induced snow darkening results in the increase of runoff throughout the melting season. Therefore, the present study highlights the heterogeneous response of aerosol induced snow albedo feedbacks over the Himalayan region and its impact on the snowpack and hydrology, which has further implications on the freshwater availability over the region.</p>

scholarly journals Atmospheric circulation and hydroclimate impacts of alternative warming scenarios for the Eocene

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1037-1048 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrik Carlson ◽  
Rodrigo Caballero
Keyword(s):  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Cloud Albedo ◽  
Cloud Properties ◽  
Atmospheric Co2 Concentrations ◽  
Global Mean

Abstract. Recent work in modelling the warm climates of the early Eocene shows that it is possible to obtain a reasonable global match between model surface temperature and proxy reconstructions, but only by using extremely high atmospheric CO2 concentrations or more modest CO2 levels complemented by a reduction in global cloud albedo. Understanding the mix of radiative forcing that gave rise to Eocene warmth has important implications for constraining Earth's climate sensitivity, but progress in this direction is hampered by the lack of direct proxy constraints on cloud properties. Here, we explore the potential for distinguishing among different radiative forcing scenarios via their impact on regional climate changes. We do this by comparing climate model simulations of two end-member scenarios: one in which the climate is warmed entirely by CO2 (which we refer to as the greenhouse gas (GHG) scenario) and another in which it is warmed entirely by reduced cloud albedo (which we refer to as the low CO2–thin clouds or LCTC scenario) . The two simulations have an almost identical global-mean surface temperature and equator-to-pole temperature difference, but the LCTC scenario has  ∼  11 % greater global-mean precipitation than the GHG scenario. The LCTC scenario also has cooler midlatitude continents and warmer oceans than the GHG scenario and a tropical climate which is significantly more El Niño-like. Extremely high warm-season temperatures in the subtropics are mitigated in the LCTC scenario, while cool-season temperatures are lower at all latitudes. These changes appear large enough to motivate further, more detailed study using other climate models and a more realistic set of modelling assumptions.

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