New Directions: How representative are aerosol radiative impact assessments?

Satheesh, SK and Srinivasan, J and Vinoj, V and Chandra, S (2006) New Directions: How representative are aerosol radiative impact assessments? In: Atmospheric Environment, 40 (16). pp. 3008-3010.

PDF New_Directions.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (138kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

The radiative impact of aerosols is one of the largest sources of uncertainty in estimating anthropogenic climate perturbations. Estimation of the aerosol radiative effects is much more complicated than the radiative impact due to well-mixed greenhouse gases. The majority of aerosol radiative impact assessments made so far are based on models, which incorporate measured aerosol properties. However, this approach involves several assumptions, which can lead to significant errors. The determination of radiative impact from observed radiative fluxes has advantages over model estimates, as the assumptions involved are minimal. In this case, the only assumption that is made is with regard to the aerosol-free atmosphere, with no assumptions made regarding the aerosol. Here we have used independent ground-based radiometer measurements made simultaneously with comprehensive measurements of aerosol microphysical and optical properties at an urban site in continental India during a dedicated campaign from November 2004 to February 2005. This is used to quantify surface changes in irradiance (ΔIS, where subscript S represents the surface) due to aerosols directly from observations of radiative fluxes. The aerosol-induced surface changes in irradiance observed have been compared with those estimated using a radiation model, which employed observed aerosol microphysical and optical properties. In both cases, the same aerosol-free atmosphere was considered.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Atmospheric Environment
Publisher:	Elsevier
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to Elsevier.
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Centre for Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences
Date Deposited:	16 Jun 2006
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 04:29
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/7642

Actions (login required)

View Item