scholarly journals Estimating radiative forcing efficiency of dust aerosol based on direct satellite observations: case studies over the Sahara and Taklimakan Desert

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 11669-11687
Author(s):  
Lin Tian ◽  
Lin Chen ◽  
Peng Zhang ◽  
Lei Bi
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Complex Refractive Index ◽  
Satellite Observations ◽  
Dust Aerosol ◽  
Taklimakan Desert ◽  
Dust Source ◽  
Dust Aerosols ◽  
Microphysical Properties ◽  
Source Regions ◽  
The Taklimakan Desert

Abstract. The direct radiative forcing efficiency of dust aerosol (DRFEdust) is an important indicator to measure the climate effect of dust. The DRFEdust is determined by the microphysical properties of dust, which vary with dust source regions. However, there are only sparse in situ measurements of them, such as the distribution of the dust aerosol particle size and the complex refractive index in the main dust source regions. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that the non-spherical effect of the dust particle is not negligible. The DRFEdust is often evaluated by estimating given microphysical properties of the dust aerosols in the radiative transfer model (RTM). However, considerable uncertainties exist due to the complex and variable dust properties, including the complex refractive index and the shape of the dust. The DRFEdust over the Taklimakan Desert and Sahara is derived from the satellite observations in this paper. The advantage of the proposed satellite-based method is that there is no need to consider the microphysical properties of the dust aerosols in estimating the DRFEdust. For comparison, the observed DRFEdust is compared with that simulated by the RTM. The differences in the dust microphysical properties in these two regions and their impacts on DRFEdust are analyzed. The DRFEdust derived from the satellite observation is -39.6±10.0 W m-2τ-1 in March 2019 over Tamanrasset in the Sahara and -48.6±13.7 W m-2τ-1 in April 2019 over Kashi in the Taklimakan Desert. According to the analyses of their microphysical properties and optical properties, the dust aerosols from the Taklimakan Desert (Kashi) scatter strongly. The RTM-simulated results (−41.5 to −47.4 W m-2τ-1 over Kashi and −32.2 to −44.3 W m-2τ-1 over Tamanrasset) are in good agreement with the results estimated by satellite observations. According to previous studies, the results in this paper are proven to be reasonable and reliable. The results also show that the microphysical properties of the dust can significantly influence the DRFEdust. The satellite-derived results can represent the influence of the dust microphysical properties on the DRFEdust, which can also validate the direct radiative effect of the dust aerosol and the DRFEdust derived from the numerical model more directly.

scholarly journals Estimating Radiative Forcing Efficiency of Dust Aerosol Based on Direct Satellite Observations: Case Studies over the Sahara Desert and Taklimakan Desert

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Tian ◽  
Lin Chen ◽  
Peng Zhang ◽  
Lei Bi
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Complex Refractive Index ◽  
Satellite Observations ◽  
Dust Aerosol ◽  
Taklimakan Desert ◽  
Sahara Desert ◽  
Dust Aerosols ◽  
Microphysical Properties ◽  
Source Regions ◽  
The Taklimakan Desert

Abstract. The direct radiative forcing efficiency of the dust aerosol (DRFEdust) is an important indicator to measure the climate effect of the dust. The DRFEdust is determined by the microphysical properties of the dust, which vary with the dust source regions. However, there are only sparse in-situ measurements of them, such as the distribution of the dust aerosol particle size and the complex refractive index in the main dust source regions. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that the non-spherical effect of the dust particle is not negligible. The DRFEdust is often evaluated by estimating given microphysical properties of the dust aerosols in the radiative transfer model (RTM). However, considerable uncertainties exist due to the complex and variable dust properties, including the complex refractive index and the shape of the dust. The DRFEdust over the Taklimakan Desert and the Sahara Desert is derived from the satellite observations in this paper. The advantage of the proposed satellite-based method is that there is no need to consider the microphysical properties of the dust aerosols in estimating the DRFEdust. For comparison, the observed DRFEdust is compared with that simulated by the RTM. The differences in the dust microphysical properties in these two regions and their impacts on DRFEdust are analyzed. The DRFEdust derived from the satellite observation is −39.6 ± 10.0 W m−2 τ−1 in March 2019 over Tamanrasset and −48.6 ± 13.7 W m−2 τ−1 in April 2019 over Kashi. According to the analyses of their microphysical properties and optical properties, the dust aerosols from the Taklimakan desert (Kashi) scatter strongly. The RTM simulated results (−41.5 to −47.4 W m−2 τ−1 in the Taklimakan Desert and −32.2 to −44.3 W m−2 τ−1 in the Sahara Desert) are in good agreement with the results estimated by satellite observations. According to previous studies, the results in this paper are proved to be reasonable and reliable. The results also show that the microphysical properties of the dust can significantly influence the DRFEdust. The satellite-derived results can represent the influence of the dust microphysical properties on the DRFEdust, which can also validate the direct radiative effect of the dust aerosol and the DRFEdust derived from the numerical model more directly.

scholarly journals Solar radiative forcing of aerosol particles near the Taklimakan desert during the Dust Aerosol Observation-Kashi campaign in Spring 2019

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Li ◽  
Zhengqiang Li ◽  
Wenyuan Chang ◽  
Yang Ou ◽  
Philippe Goloub ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Surface ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Surface Albedo ◽  
Dust Aerosol ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Taklimakan Desert ◽  
Aerosol Radiative Forcing ◽  
Microphysical Properties ◽  
The Taklimakan Desert ◽  
Cooling Effects

Abstract. The Taklimakan desert is a main and continuous source of Asian dust particles causing a significant direct aerosol solar radiative forcing (ASRF). In order to improve the accuracy of the estimation of dust radiative forcing effects, the Dust Aerosol Observation-Kashi (DAO-K) campaign was carried out near the Taklimakan desert in April 2019. The objective of the campaign is to provide comprehensive parameters such as: dust optical and microphysical properties, vertical distribution and surface albedo, for the calculation of ASRF. The measurements were employed in radiative transfer (RT) simulations and the estimations are improved by considering the actual measured atmospheric profiles and diurnal variations of land surface albedo in addition to reliable aerosol parameters. The RT model estimates the ASRF results in average daily mean cooling effects of −19 W m−2 at the top of atmosphere and −36 W m−2 at the bottom of atmosphere during the DAO-K campaign. The Weather Research and Forecasting model with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) with assimilations of the aerosol optical depth and PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations measurements is prone to overestimate the radiative forcing effects of dust aerosols. The percent difference of daily mean ASRF between the two simulations are greater than 50 % in heavy dust episode. Ground-based observations of downward irradiances have validated that the RT simulations are in good agreement with simultaneous observations, whereas the WRF-Chem estimations exhibit obvious discrepancy with these independent measurements. Data assimilations can partly reduce the discrepancy, but there is still room for improving the WRF-Chem simulation of dust aerosol radiative forcing.

scholarly journals Aerosol solar radiative forcing near the Taklimakan Desert based on radiative transfer and regional meteorological simulations during the Dust Aerosol Observation-Kashi campaign

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (18) ◽  
pp. 10845-10864 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Li ◽  
Zhengqiang Li ◽  
Wenyuan Chang ◽  
Yang Ou ◽  
Philippe Goloub ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Solar Irradiance ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Surface Albedo ◽  
Dust Aerosol ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Taklimakan Desert ◽  
Microphysical Properties ◽  
The Taklimakan Desert ◽  
Aerosol Parameters

Abstract. The Taklimakan Desert is a main and continuous source of Asian dust particles causing significant direct radiative effects, which are commonly quantified by the aerosol solar radiative forcing (ASRF). To improve the accuracy of estimates of dust ASRF, the Dust Aerosol Observation-Kashi (DAO-K) campaign was carried out near the Taklimakan Desert in April 2019. The objective of the DAO-K campaign is to provide crucial parameters needed for the calculation of ASRF, such as dust optical and microphysical properties, vertical distribution, and surface albedo. The ASRF was calculated using radiative transfer (RT) simulations based on the observed aerosol parameters, additionally considering the measured atmospheric profiles and diurnal variations of surface albedo. As a result, daily average values of ASRF of −19 W m−2 at the top of the atmosphere and −36 W m−2 at the bottom of the atmosphere were derived from the simulations conducted during the DAO-K campaign. Furthermore, the Weather Research and Forecasting model with Chemistry (WRF-Chem), with assimilation of measurements of the aerosol optical depth and particulate matter (PM) mass concentrations of particles with aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) and 10 µm (PM10), is employed to estimate the dust ASRF for comparison. The results of the ASRF simulations (RT and WRF-Chem) were evaluated using ground-based downward solar irradiance measurements, which have confirmed that the RT simulations are in good agreement with simultaneous observations, whereas the WRF-Chem estimations reveal obvious discrepancies with the solar irradiance measurements.

scholarly journals Optical and microphysical properties of natural mineral dust and anthropogenic soil dust near dust source regions over northwestern China

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 2119-2138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Wang ◽  
Hui Wen ◽  
Jinsen Shi ◽  
Jianrong Bi ◽  
Zhongwei Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Aerosols ◽  
Mineral Dust ◽  
Particle Diameter ◽  
Northwestern China ◽  
Soil Dust ◽  
Dust Source ◽  
Dust Aerosols ◽  
Microphysical Properties ◽  
Source Regions ◽  
Anthropogenic Soil

Abstract. Mineral dust aerosols (MDs) not only influence the climate by scattering and absorbing solar radiation but also modify cloud properties and change the ecosystem. From 3 April to 16 May 2014, a ground-based mobile laboratory was deployed to measure the optical and microphysical properties of MDs near dust source regions in Wuwei, Zhangye, and Dunhuang (in chronological order) along the Hexi Corridor over northwestern China. Throughout this dust campaign, the hourly averaged (±standard deviation) aerosol scattering coefficients (σsp, 550 nm) of the particulates with aerodynamic diameters less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) at these three sites were sequentially 101.5 ± 36.8, 182.2 ± 433.1, and 54.0 ± 32.0 Mm−1. Correspondingly, the absorption coefficients (σap, 637 nm) were 9.7 ± 6.1, 6.0 ± 4.6, and 2.3 ± 0.9 Mm−1; single-scattering albedos (ω, 637 nm) were 0.902 ± 0.025, 0.931 ± 0.037, and 0.949 ± 0.020; and scattering Ångström exponents (Åsp, 450–700 nm) of PM2.5 were 1.28 ± 0.27, 0.77 ± 0.51, and 0.52 ± 0.31. During a severe dust storm in Zhangye (i.e., from 23 to 25 April), the highest values of σsp2.5 (∼ 5074 Mm−1), backscattering coefficient (σbsp2.5, ∼ 522 Mm−1), and ω637 (∼ 0.993) and the lowest values of backscattering fraction (b2.5, ∼ 0.101) at 550 nm and Åsp2.5 (∼ −0.046) at 450–700 nm, with peak values of aerosol number size distribution (appearing at the particle diameter range of 1–3 µm), exhibited that the atmospheric aerosols were dominated by coarse-mode dust aerosols. It is hypothesized that the relatively higher values of mass scattering efficiency during floating dust episodes in Wuwei and Zhangye are attributed to the anthropogenic soil dust produced by agricultural cultivations.

scholarly journals Taklimakan dust aerosol radiative heating derived from CALIPSO observations using the Fu-Liou radiation model with CERES constraints

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 4011-4021 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Huang ◽  
Q. Fu ◽  
J. Su ◽  
Q. Tang ◽  
P. Minnis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Budget ◽  
Satellite Observations ◽  
Dust Aerosol ◽  
Radiative Heating ◽  
Radiative Energy ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Taklimakan Desert ◽  
Dust Aerosols ◽  
Aerosol Radiative

Abstract. The dust aerosol radiative forcing and heating rate over the Taklimakan Desert in Northwestern China in July 2006 are estimated using the Fu-Liou radiative transfer model along with satellite observations. The vertical distributions of the dust aerosol extinction coefficient are derived from the CALIPSO (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations) lidar measurements. The CERES (Cloud and the Earth's Energy Budget Scanner) measurements of reflected solar radiation are used to constrain the dust aerosol type in the radiative transfer model, which determines the dust aerosol single-scattering albedo and asymmetry factor as well as the aerosol optical properties' spectral dependencies. We find that the dust aerosols have a significant impact on the radiative energy budget over the Taklimakan desert. In the atmospheres containing light, moderate and heavy dust layers, the dust aerosols heat the atmosphere (daily mean) by up to 1, 2, and 3 K day−1, respectively. The maximum daily mean radiative heating rate reaches 5.5 K day−1 at 5 km on 29 July. The averaged daily mean net radiative effect of the dust are 44.4, −41.9, and 86.3 W m−2, respectively, at the top of the atmosphere (TOA), surface, and in the atmosphere. Among these effects about two thirds of the warming effect at the TOA is related to the longwave radiation, while about 90% of the atmospheric warming is contributed by the solar radiation. At the surface, about one third of the dust solar radiative cooling effect is compensated by its longwave warming effect. The large modifications of radiative energy budget by the dust aerosols over Taklimakan Desert should have important implications for the atmospheric circulation and regional climate, topics for future investigations.

scholarly journals Variability in Dust Observed over China Using A-Train CALIOP Instrument

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Xu ◽  
Fengjie Zheng ◽  
Wenhao Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Dust Aerosol ◽  
Vegetation Coverage ◽  
Taklimakan Desert ◽  
Vertical Column ◽  
Dust Source ◽  
Dust Layer ◽  
Source Regions ◽  
Vertical Variations

Patterns of dust aerosol variation over China are analyzed using A-Train CALIOP and precipitation, soil moisture, and vegetation coverage datasets during the period of 2007 and 2014. Spatially, dust is mostly prominent over northwestern China, with the highest and most widespread dust activities being in Taklimakan Desert. Dust is generally distributed across the atmosphere up to 5 km altitude, with a peak of DAFOD around 3 km. The dust layer has a significant geographical and seasonal drifting, with higher altitude in spring and summer and dust source regions (between 3 km and 5 km). Additionally, single dust layer is more often observed in a vertical column. Temporally, high amounts of dust aerosol (C-DAFOD as high as 0.08) experienced in spring subsequently continuous decrease until the spring of next year. The correlation coefficients between the latitude averaged column integrated dust aerosol feature optical depth (C-DAFOD) and precipitation, soil moisture, and vegetation coverage are −0.65, −0.81, and −0.77, respectively. The correlation coefficients of seasonal mean C-DAFOD with the three factors are −0.15, −0.67, and −0.35, respectively. The analysis showed dust and the other three factors are negatively correlated. Overall, dust over China shows considerable spatial, temporal, and vertical variations.

scholarly journals Simulation of dust aerosol and its regional feedbacks over East Asia using a regional climate model

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1095-1110 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. F. Zhang ◽  
A. S. Zakey ◽  
X. J. Gao ◽  
F. Giorgi ◽  
F. Solmon
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
Regional Climate Model ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Short Wave ◽  
Dust Aerosol ◽  
Dust Aerosols ◽  
Source Regions ◽  
Long Wave

Abstract. The ICTP regional climate model (RegCM3) coupled with a desert dust aerosol model is used to simulate the net radiative forcing (short-wave and long-wave) and related climate effects of dust aerosols over East Asia. Two sets of experiments are completed and intercompared, one without (Exp. 1) and one with (Exp. 2) the radiative effects of dust aerosols. The experiments encompass the main dust producing months, February through May, for 10 years (1997–2006), and the simulation results are evaluated against ground station and satellite data. The model captures the basic observed climatology over the area of interest. The spatial and temporal variations of near surface concentration, mass load, optical depth and emission of dust aerosols from the main source regions are reproduced by model. The main model deficiency is an overestimate of dust amounts over the source regions and an underestimate downwind of these source areas, which indicates an underestimate of dust dispersal. Over the desert source regions, the net TOA radiative forcing is positive, while it is small over the other regions as a result of high surface albedo values which reduce the short-wave radiative forcing. The net surface radiative fluxes are decreased by dust and this causes a surface cooling locally up to −1°C. The inclusion of net (short-wave and long-wave) dust radiative forcing leads to a reduction of dust emission in the East Asia source regions, which is mainly caused by an increase in local stability and a corresponding decrease in dust lifting. Our results indicate that dust effects should be included in the assessment of climate change over East Asia.

scholarly journals Identification and Characterization of Dust Source Regions Across North Africa and the Middle East Using MISR Satellite Observations

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (13) ◽  
pp. 6690-6701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Yu ◽  
Olga V. Kalashnikova ◽  
Michael J. Garay ◽  
Huikyo Lee ◽  
Michael Notaro
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Satellite Observations ◽  
Dust Source ◽  
Source Regions ◽  
Identification And Characterization
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