The assessment of shortwave and longwave radiative forcing of greenhouse gases and atmospheric aerosol for the cloudless sky conditions
https://doi.org/10.55959/MSU0579-9414.5.79.6.2
Abstract
The gas-aerosol composition of the atmosphere determines specific features of the radiative net irradiance in the atmosphere and the associated climatic changes. The study discusses the anthropogenic variations in the content of the most important greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and ozone (O3), as well as the atmospheric aerosol. The estimates of their radiative effects (forcing, RF) in various geophysical conditions are given. Based on the modern ECRAD radiation model, the RF values of considered anthropogenic trace gases and aerosols over the past 20 years were estimated for different seasons of the year relative to their preindustrial level for the Moscow region. We determined specific features of the vertical profiles of RF in the shortwave and longwave spectral ranges and their values at the bottom (BOA) and the top of the atmosphere (TOA) depending on solar elevation and surface albedo, both taking seasonal variations into account and without them. The total RF Total for the warm period with a low surface albedo is negative (–8,33 W/m2 at BOA and –1,35 W/m2 at TOA) if seasonal variations of all considering trace gases and aerosols are taken into account. A weakly absorbing aerosol typical of mid-latitudes plays a significant role in the negative RF. The RF Total for the cold season is –0,08 W/m2 at BOA and +0,38 W/m2 at TOA. The positive value of the total RF at the TOA is due to the positive RF of the aerosol with its absorbing properties and the influence of the high albedo of snow surface, as well as due to the positive RF of carbon dioxide. A nonlinear RF dependence of the trace gases and aerosol on the solar elevation and surface albedo was found. The radiative heating rate due to greenhouse gases at TOA is negative in all seasons of the year. At the same time, it is positive at BOA (about 0,45 K/day in the warm season and 0,25 K/day in the cold season), mainly due to the absorption by aerosol in the lower layers of the troposphere. The radiative heating rate due to CO2 is slightly positive. |
Keywords
radiative forcing,
climate changes,
ECRAD model,
net irradiance,
heating rate,
aerosol,
carbon dioxide,
ozone
Supporting agencies: The analysis of anthropogenic aerosol and its radiation effects was financially supported by the Russian Science Foundation (project 19-77-30004-П).
About the Authors
N. A. Petrov
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography, Department of Meteorology and Climatology
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Bachelor’s degree
N. E. Chubarova
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography, Department of Meteorology and Climatology
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Professor, D.Sc. in Geography
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Review
For citations:
Petrov N.A., Chubarova N.E. The assessment of shortwave and longwave radiative forcing of greenhouse gases and atmospheric aerosol for the cloudless sky conditions. Lomonosov Geography Journal. 2024;(6):15–29. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.55959/MSU0579-9414.5.79.6.2
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