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How thermodynamic environments control stratocumulus microphysics and interactions with aerosols

Andersen, Hendrik ORCID iD icon; Cermak, Jan ORCID iD icon

Abstract:

Aerosol–cloud interactions are central to climate system changes and depend on meteorological conditions. This study identifies distinct thermodynamic regimes and proposes a conceptual framework for interpreting aerosol effects. In the analysis, ten years (2003–2012) of daily satellite-derived aerosol and cloud products are combined with reanalysis data to identify factors controlling Southeast Atlantic stratocumulus microphysics. Considering the seasonal influence of aerosol input from biomass burning, thermodynamic environments that feature contrasting microphysical cloud properties and aerosol–cloud relations are classified. While aerosol impact is stronger in unstable environments, it is mostly confined to situations with low aerosol loading (aerosol index AI ≲ 0.15), implying a saturation of aerosol effects. Situations with high aerosol loading are associated with weaker, seasonally contrasting aerosol-droplet size relationships, likely caused by thermodynamically induced processes and aerosol swelling.


Verlagsausgabe §
DOI: 10.5445/IR/1000067670
Originalveröffentlichung
DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/10/2/024004
Scopus
Zitationen: 18
Web of Science
Zitationen: 15
Dimensions
Zitationen: 28
Cover der Publikation
Zugehörige Institution(en) am KIT Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung – Atmosphärische Spurenstoffe und Fernerkundung (IMK-ASF)
Institut für Photogrammetrie und Fernerkundung (IPF)
KIT-Zentrum Klima und Umwelt (ZKU)
Publikationstyp Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Publikationsjahr 2015
Sprache Englisch
Identifikator ISSN: 1748-9318, 1748-9326
urn:nbn:de:swb:90-676703
KITopen-ID: 1000067670
Erschienen in Environmental research letters
Verlag Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd (IOP Publishing Ltd)
Band 10
Heft 2
Seiten Art. Nr.: 024004
Nachgewiesen in Dimensions
Scopus
Web of Science
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