scholarly journals The impact of cloudiness and cloud type on the atmospheric heating rate of black and brown carbon

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Ferrero ◽  
Asta Gregorič ◽  
Griša Močnik ◽  
Martin Rigler ◽  
Sergio Cogliati ◽  
...  

Abstract. We experimentally quantified the impact of cloud fraction and cloud type on the heating rates (HRs) of black and brown carbon (HRBC and HRBrC).In particular, in this work, we examine in more detail the average cloud effect (Ferrero et al., 2018) using high time-resolution measurements of aerosol absorption at multiple-wavelengths coupled with spectral measurements of the direct, diffuse and surface reflected radiation and lidar data in the Po Valley. The experimental set-up allowed a direct determination of HRBC and HRBrC in any sky condition. The highest values of total HR were found in the middle of the winter (1.43 ± 0.05 K day−1) while the lowest in spring (0.54 ± 0.02 K day−1) Overall the HRBrC accounted for 13.7 ± 0.2 % of the total HR, the BrC being characterized by an AAE of 3.49 ± 0.01. Simultaneously, sky conditions were classified (from clear-sky to cloudy) in terms of fraction of sky covered by clouds (oktas) and cloud types. Cloud types were grouped as a function of altitude into the following classes: 1) low level ( 7 km) cirrus, cirrocumulus-cirrostratus. Measurements carried out in different sky conditions at high-time resolution showed a constant decrease of HR with increasing cloudiness of the atmosphere enabling us to quantify for the first time the bias (in %) in the aerosol HR introduced by improperly assuming clear-sky conditions in radiative transfer calculations. In fact, during the campaign, clear sky conditions were only present 23 % of the time while the remaining time (77 %) was characterized by cloudy conditions. Our results show that, by incorrectly assuming clear-sky conditions, the HR of light absorbing aerosol can be largely overestimated (by 50 % in low cloudiness, oktas = 1–2), up to over 400 % (in complete overcast conditions, i.e., oktas = 7–8). The impact of different cloud types on the HR compared to a clear sky condition was also investigated. Cirrus were found to have a modest impact, decreasing the HRBC and HRBrC by −1– −5 %. Cumulus decreased the HRBC and HRBrC by −31 ± 12 and −26 ± 7 %, respectively, while cirrocumulus-cirrostratus by −60 ± 8 and −54 ± 4 %, which was comparable to the impact of altocumulus (−60 ± 6 and −46 ± 4 %). A high impact on HRBC and HRBrC was found for stratocumulus (−63 ± 6 and −58 ± 4 %, respectively) and altostratus (−78 ± 5 and −73 ± 4 %, respectively), although the highest impact was found to be associated to stratus that suppressed the HRBC and HRBrC by −85 ± 5 and −83 ± 3 %, respectively. Additionally, the cloud influence on the radiation spectrum that interacts with the absorbing aerosol was investigated. Black and brown carbon (BC and BrC) have different spectral responses (a different absorption Angstrom exponent, AAE) and our results show that the presence of clouds causes a greater decrease for the HRBC with respect to to HRBrC going clear sky to complete overcast conditions; the observed the difference is 12 ± 6 %. This means that, compared to BC, BrC is more efficient in heating the surrounding atmosphere in cloudy conditions than in clear sky. Overall, this study extends the results of a previous work (Ferrero et al., 2018), highlighting the need to take into account both the role of cloudiness and of different cloud types to better estimate the HR associated to both BC and BrC, and in turn decrease the uncertainties associated to the quantification of the impact of these species on radiation and climate.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 4869-4897
Author(s):  
Luca Ferrero ◽  
Asta Gregorič ◽  
Griša Močnik ◽  
Martin Rigler ◽  
Sergio Cogliati ◽  
...  

Abstract. We experimentally quantified the impact of cloud fraction and cloud type on the heating rate (HR) of black and brown carbon (HRBC and HRBrC). In particular, we examined in more detail the cloud effect on the HR detected in a previous study (Ferrero et al., 2018). High-time-resolution measurements of the aerosol absorption coefficient at multiple wavelengths were coupled with spectral measurements of the direct, diffuse and surface reflected irradiance and with lidar–ceilometer data during a field campaign in Milan, Po Valley (Italy). The experimental set-up allowed for a direct determination of the total HR (and its speciation: HRBC and HRBrC) in all-sky conditions (from clear-sky conditions to cloudy). The highest total HR values were found in the middle of winter (1.43 ± 0.05 K d−1), and the lowest were in spring (0.54 ± 0.02 K d−1). Overall, the HRBrC accounted for 13.7 ± 0.2 % of the total HR, with the BrC being characterized by an absorption Ångström exponent (AAE) of 3.49 ± 0.01. To investigate the role of clouds, sky conditions were classified in terms of cloudiness (fraction of the sky covered by clouds: oktas) and cloud type (stratus, St; cumulus, Cu; stratocumulus, Sc; altostratus, As; altocumulus, Ac; cirrus, Ci; and cirrocumulus–cirrostratus, Cc–Cs). During the campaign, clear-sky conditions were present 23 % of the time, with the remaining time (77 %) being characterized by cloudy conditions. The average cloudiness was 3.58 ± 0.04 oktas (highest in February at 4.56 ± 0.07 oktas and lowest in November at 2.91 ± 0.06 oktas). St clouds were mostly responsible for overcast conditions (7–8 oktas, frequency of 87 % and 96 %); Sc clouds dominated the intermediate cloudiness conditions (5–6 oktas, frequency of 47 % and 66 %); and the transition from Cc–Cs to Sc determined moderate cloudiness (3–4 oktas); finally, low cloudiness (1–2 oktas) was mostly dominated by Ci and Cu (frequency of 59 % and 40 %, respectively). HR measurements showed a constant decrease with increasing cloudiness of the atmosphere, enabling us to quantify for the first time the bias (in %) of the aerosol HR introduced by the simplified assumption of clear-sky conditions in radiative-transfer model calculations. Our results showed that the HR of light-absorbing aerosol was ∼ 20 %–30 % lower in low cloudiness (1–2 oktas) and up to 80 % lower in completely overcast conditions (i.e. 7–8 oktas) compared to clear-sky ones. This means that, in the simplified assumption of clear-sky conditions, the HR of light-absorbing aerosol can be largely overestimated (by 50 % in low cloudiness, 1–2 oktas, and up to 500 % in completely overcast conditions, 7–8 oktas). The impact of different cloud types on the HR was also investigated. Cirrus clouds were found to have a modest impact, decreasing the HRBC and HRBrC by −5 % at most. Cumulus clouds decreased the HRBC and HRBrC by −31 ± 12 % and −26 ± 7 %, respectively; cirrocumulus–cirrostratus clouds decreased the HRBC and HRBrC by −60 ± 8 % and −54 ± 4 %, which was comparable to the impact of altocumulus (−60 ± 6 % and −46 ± 4 %). A higher impact on the HRBC and HRBrC suppression was found for stratocumulus (−63 ± 6 % and −58 ± 4 %, respectively) and altostratus (−78 ± 5 % and −73 ± 4 %, respectively). The highest impact was associated with stratus, suppressing the HRBC and HRBrC by −85 ± 5 % and −83 ± 3 %, respectively. The presence of clouds caused a decrease of both the HRBC and HRBrC (normalized to the absorption coefficient of the respective species) of −11.8 ± 1.2 % and −12.6 ± 1.4 % per okta. This study highlights the need to take into account the role of both cloudiness and different cloud types when estimating the HR caused by both BC and BrC and in turn decrease the uncertainties associated with the quantification of their impact on the climate.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Ferrero ◽  
Niccolò Losi ◽  
Alessandra Bigogno ◽  
Asta Gregoric ◽  
Martin Rigler ◽  
...  

<p>Black carbon (BC) and Brown Carbon (BrC) absorbs sunlight and heat the atmosphere. The heating rate (HR) can be determined from the divergence of the net radiative flux with altitude (vertical profiles) or from the modelling activity; however, it determination is, up to now, too sparse, does not account for light-absorbing-aerosol (LAA) speciation and for the influence of different cloudy sky conditions on the BC induced heating rate (HR) in the atmospheric layer below clouds. This work applies a new method (Ferrero et al., 2018) to experimentally determine (at high time resolution) the HR induced by the LAA from mid-latidudes to the Arctic along two years (2018-2019, June-August) of oceanographic cruises moving from 54°N to 81°N and from 2°W to 25°E.</p><p>The HR was experimentally determined at high time resolution and apportioned in the context of LAA species (BC, BrC), and sources (fossil fuel, FF; biomass burning, BB) as reported in Ferrero et al. (2018) equipping the Oceania vessel of the Polish Academy of Science  with the following instrumentation:</p><p>1) Aethalometer (AE-33, Magee Scientific, 7-λ), 2) Multiplexer-Radiometer-Irradiometer ROX (diffuse, direct and reflected radiance: 350-1000 nm, 1 nm resolution), 3) a SPN1 radiometer (global and diffuse radiation), 4) High volume sampler (TSP ECHO-PUF Tecora). Samples were analysed for ions (Dionex IC) and by EC/OC by using DRI Model 2015 Multi-Wavelength Thermal/Optical Carbon Analyzer. Radiometers were compensated for the ship pitch and roll by an automatic gimbal. AE33 absorption coefficient accuracy was determined through comparison with a MAAP (Thermo-Fischer).</p><p>The HR showed a clear latitudinal behavior with higher values in the harbor of Gdansk (0.29±0.01 K/day) followed by the Baltic Sea (0.04±0.01 K/day), the Norvegian Sea (0.01±0.01 K/day) and finally with the lowest values in the pure Arctic Ocean (0.003±0.001 K/day).</p><p>They followed the decrease of both BC concentrations and global radiation from 1189±21 ng/m<sup>3</sup>  and 230±6 W/m<sup>2</sup> (Gdansk) to 27±1 ng/m<sup>3</sup> and 111±3 W/m<sup>2</sup> (Arctic Ocean). The latitunal gradient of the HR clearly demonstrate that the warming of the Arctic could be influenced by a heat transport. In this respect, the LAA added about 300 J/m<sup>3</sup> at mid-latitudes and only 3 J/m<sup>3</sup> close to the North Pole. Moreover, above the Arctic circle, 70% of the HR was due to the diffuse radiation induced by cloud presence, a condition that climate models in clear-sky assumption cannot capture. In addition, in the Arctic the BrC experienced an increase of 60% in determining the HR compared to mid-latitudes.</p><p>Acknowledgements: GEMMA Center - Project MIUR – Dipartimenti di Eccellenza 2018–2022.</p><p>Reference: Ferrero, L., et al (2018) Environ. Sci Tech., 52, 3546−3555</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (3) ◽  
pp. 3335-3350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cherie K Day ◽  
Adam T Deller ◽  
Ryan M Shannon ◽  
Hao Qiu(邱昊) ◽  
Keith W Bannister ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Combining high time and frequency resolution full-polarization spectra of fast radio bursts (FRBs) with knowledge of their host galaxy properties provides an opportunity to study both the emission mechanism generating them and the impact of their propagation through their local environment, host galaxy, and the intergalactic medium. The Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) telescope has provided the first ensemble of bursts with this information. In this paper, we present the high time and spectral resolution, full polarization observations of five localized FRBs to complement the results published for the previously studied ASKAP FRB 181112. We find that every FRB is highly polarized, with polarization fractions ranging from 80 to 100 per cent, and that they are generally dominated by linear polarization. While some FRBs in our sample exhibit properties associated with an emerging archetype (i.e. repeating or apparently non-repeating), others exhibit characteristic features of both, implying the existence of a continuum of FRB properties. When examined at high time resolution, we find that all FRBs in our sample have evidence for multiple subcomponents and for scattering at a level greater than expected from the Milky Way. We find no correlation between the diverse range of FRB properties (e.g. scattering time, intrinsic width, and rotation measure) and any global property of their host galaxy. The most heavily scattered bursts reside in the outskirts of their host galaxies, suggesting that the source-local environment rather than the host interstellar medium is likely the dominant origin of the scattering in our sample.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Stolzenburg ◽  
Gerhard Steiner ◽  
Paul M. Winkler

Abstract. Measurements of aerosol dynamics in the sub-10 nm size range are crucially important for quantifying the impact of new particle formation onto the global budget of cloud condensation nuclei. Here we present the development and characterization of a differential mobility analyzer – train (DMA-train), operating six DMAs in parallel for high time-resolution particle size-distribution measurements below 10 nm. The DMAs are operated at six different but fixed voltages and hence sizes, together with six state-of-the-art condensation particle counters. Two Airmodus A 10 particle size magnifiers (PSM) are used for channels below 2.5 nm while sizes above 2.5 nm are detected by TSI 3776 butanol or TSI 3788 water based CPCs. We report the transfer functions and characteristics of six identical Grimm S-DMAs as well as the calibration of a butanol-based TSI model 3776 CPC, a water-based TSI model 3788 CPC and an Aimodus A10 PSM. We find cut-off diameters similar to those reported in the literature. The performance of the DMA-train is tested with a rapidly changing aerosol of a tungsten oxide particle generator during warm-up. Additionally we report a measurement of new particle formation taken during a nucleation event in the CLOUD chamber experiment at CERN. We find that the DMA-train is able to bridge the gap between currently well-established measurement techniques in the cluster-particle transition regime, providing high time-resolution and accurate size information of neutral and charged particles even at atmospheric particle concentrations.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1639-1651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Stolzenburg ◽  
Gerhard Steiner ◽  
Paul M. Winkler

Abstract. Measurements of aerosol dynamics in the sub-10 nm size range are crucially important for quantifying the impact of new particle formation onto the global budget of cloud condensation nuclei. Here we present the development and characterization of a differential mobility analyzer train (DMA-train), operating six DMAs in parallel for high-time-resolution particle-size-distribution measurements below 10 nm. The DMAs are operated at six different but fixed voltages and hence sizes, together with six state-of-the-art condensation particle counters (CPCs). Two Airmodus A10 particle size magnifiers (PSM) are used for channels below 2.5 nm while sizes above 2.5 nm are detected by TSI 3776 butanol-based or TSI 3788 water-based CPCs. We report the transfer functions and characteristics of six identical Grimm S-DMAs as well as the calibration of a butanol-based TSI model 3776 CPC, a water-based TSI model 3788 CPC and an Airmodus A10 PSM. We find cutoff diameters similar to those reported in the literature. The performance of the DMA-train is tested with a rapidly changing aerosol of a tungsten oxide particle generator during warmup. Additionally we report a measurement of new particle formation taken during a nucleation event in the CLOUD chamber experiment at CERN. We find that the DMA-train is able to bridge the gap between currently well-established measurement techniques in the cluster–particle transition regime, providing high time resolution and accurate size information of neutral and charged particles even at atmospheric particle concentrations.


1994 ◽  
Vol 144 ◽  
pp. 431-434
Author(s):  
M. Minarovjech ◽  
M. Rybanský

AbstractThis paper deals with a possibility to use the ground-based method of observation in order to solve basic problems connected with the solar corona research. Namely:1.heating of the solar corona2.course of the global cycle in the corona3.rotation of the solar corona and development of active regions.There is stressed a possibility of high-time resolution of the coronal line photometer at Lomnický Peak coronal station, and use of the latter to obtain crucial observations.


2010 ◽  
Vol 180 (4) ◽  
pp. 424 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.M. Beskin ◽  
S.V. Karpov ◽  
S.F. Bondar ◽  
V.L. Plokhotnichenko ◽  
A. Guarnieri ◽  
...  

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