Atmospheric radiation measurement: A program for improving radiative forcing and feedback in general circulation models

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5220759

Patrinos, A A ^[1]; Renne, D S; Stokes, G M ^[2]; Ellingson, R G ^[3]

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1. USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
2. Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
3. Maryland Univ., College Park, MD (United States)

The Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program is a key element of the Department of Energy's (DOE's) global change research strategy. ARM represents a long-term commitment to conduct comprehensive studies of the spectral atmospheric radiative energy balance profile for a wide range of cloud conditions and surface types, and to develop the knowledge necessary to improve parameterizations of radiative processes under various cloud regimes for use in general circulation models (GCMs) and related models. The importance of the ARM program is a apparent from the results of model assessments of the impact on global climate change. Recent studies suggest that radiatively active trace gas emissions caused by human activity can lead to a global warming of 1.5 to 4.5 degrees Celsius and to important changes in water availability during the next century (Cess, et al. 1989). These broad-scale changes can be even more significant at regional levels, where large shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns are shown to occur. However, these analyses also indicate that considerable uncertainty exists in these estimates, with the manner in which cloud radiative processes are parameterized among the most significant uncertainty. Thus, although the findings have significant policy implications in assessment of global and regional climate change, their uncertainties greatly influence the policy debate. ARM's highly focused observational and analytical research is intended to accelerate improvements and reduce key uncertainties associated with the way in which GCMs treat cloud cover and cloud characteristics and the resulting radiative forcing. This paper summarizes the scientific context for ARM, ARM's experimental approach, and recent activities within the ARM program.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 5220759
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA-18559; CONF-910143--6; ON: DE92014263
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS
CLIMATIC CHANGE
CLOUDS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EMISSION
ENERGY BALANCE
FLUIDS
GASES
GENERAL CIRCULATION MODELS
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
LAYERS
MANAGEMENT
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
OZONE LAYER
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
RADIATION TRANSPORT
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SAMPLING
SITE SELECTION
US DOE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT