Clouds Are Highly Sensitive to Changes in Aerosol Particle Concentrations

Clouds in the lower atmosphere are much more sensitive to changes in the concentration of atmospheric aerosol particles than previously thought. This is shown by an international study published in Nature Geoscience. The discovery affects, among other things, the assessment of how much human emissions of fine particles have slowed global warming caused by greenhouse gases.

Ny-Ålesund research station
Ny-Ålesund research station is the world's northernmost open research station, which hosts and facilitates research projects and long-term observation series. Photo: Radovan Krejci

Emissions of fine particles caused by humans, known as anthropogenic particles, have cooled the climate by modifying cloud properties. This has, in part, counteracted the greenhouse gas-induced warming of the climate. The results suggest that this cooling effect is stronger than previous satellite-based estimates have indicated," says Professor Annele Virtanen from the University of Eastern Finland.

The study, led by the University of Eastern Finland and the Finnish Meteorological Institute, is based on long-term measurements of atmospheric aerosol concentrations and cloud properties at ACTRIS measurement stations in Svalbard and Finland. Long-term measurements are necessary in order to conduct reliable studies of how aerosols affect cloud characteristics, since cloud properties can vary greatly. Stockholm University contributed significantly to the results through the research project FORCeS, which developed and applied experimental and theoretical methods to investigate how aerosol particles form and are transported in the atmosphere, and how particles and gases interact with clouds, precipitation, radiation, and climate.

“This shows how important scientific collaborations are,” says Ilona Riipinen, director of the Bolin Centre for Climate Research.

The study also evaluated how well climate models can describe the relationship between cloud properties and aerosol concentrations. Among other findings, the study identified significant differences in how various models predict the interaction between aerosols and clouds.

“This will help us develop more accurate climate models to predict future climate changes. The models play a key role in assessing the climate impact of different emission scenarios,” says Sami Romakkaniemi from the Finnish Meteorological Institute.

The study, a result of a European collaboration, was led by the University of Eastern Finland and the Finnish Meteorological Institute, with co-authors Sara M. Blichner, Paul Zieger, Radovan Krejci, Annica Ekman, and Ilona Riipinen from Stockholm University and the Bolin Centre for Climate Research.

Contact
Ilona Riipinen, Director of the Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University
Ilona.Riipinen@aces.su.se
Laila Islamovic, Communicator and press contact for the Bolin Centre for Climate Research
laila.islamovic@aces.su.se, +46-724443525

 

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