Technical Note: Estimating Aerosol Effects on Cloud Radiative Forcing

Journal Article · Wed Oct 09 04:00:00 EDT 2013 · Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 13(19):9971-9974

DOI:https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-13-9971-2013· OSTI ID:1130680

Ghan, Steven J.

Estimating anthropogenic aerosol effects on the planetary energy balance through the aerosol influence on clouds using the difference in cloud radiative forcing from simulations with and without anthropogenic emissions produces estimates that are positively biased. A more representative method is suggested using the difference in cloud radiative forcing calculated with aerosol radiative effects neglected. The method also yields an aerosol radiative forcing decomposition that includes a term quantifying the impact of changes in surface albedo. The method requires only two additional diagnostic calculations: the whole-sky and clear-sky top-of-atmosphere radiative flux with aerosol radiative effects neglected.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1130680
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-96307; KP1703020
• Journal Information: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 13(19):9971-9974, Journal Name: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 13(19):9971-9974
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

aerosol
cloud
forcing
radiative