Absorbing aerosols affect global-mean precipitation primarily in two ways. They give rise to stronger shortwave atmospheric heating, which acts to suppress precipitation. Depending on the top-of-the-atmosphere radiative flux change, they can also warm up the surface with a tendency to increase precipitation. Here, we present a theoretical framework that takes into account both effects, and apply it to analyze the hydrological responses to increased black carbon burden simulated with a general circulation model. It is found that the damping effect of atmospheric heating can outweigh the enhancing effect of surface warming, resulting in a net decrease in precipitation. The implications for moist convection and general circulation are discussed.
Technology Partners: MimirTech
Links:
[1] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/feature-article/two-opposing-effects-absorbing-aerosols-global-mean-precipitation
[2] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/author/yi-ming
[3] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/author/v-ramaswamy-0
[4] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/author/geeta-persad
[5] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/journal/geophysical-research-letters
[6] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/atmosphere
[7] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/solar-radiation
[8] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/climate-change
[9] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/green-house-gases
[10] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/aerosols
[11] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/climate-impacts
[12] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/hydrology
[13] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/rainfall-pattern
[14] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/rainfall
