The Impact of Aerosols on Climate Forcing and Cloud Microphysics
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjorae.2026.03SI.83Keywords:
Aerosols, Climate forcing, Radiative forcing, Cloud microphysics, Aerosol–cloud interactions, Climate modellingAbstract
Aerosols play a fundamental role in the Earth's climate system by influencing radiative forcing and modifying cloud microphysical processes. Despite significant advances in atmospheric science, aerosol–cloud interactions remain one of the largest sources of uncertainty in climate prediction due to their complex spatial and temporal variability. This study presents an integrated observational and modelling assessment of the impacts of natural and anthropogenic aerosols on climate forcing and cloud microphysics under different atmospheric conditions. Satellite observations from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and the Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO), together with ground-based measurements from the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET), were combined with simulations from the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM) to quantify aerosol radiative effects and aerosol-induced changes in cloud properties. The results indicate that sulfate aerosols exert an average cooling radiative forcing of approximately −0.8 W m⁻² whereas black carbon produces a warming effect of about +1.2 W m⁻². Increasing aerosol optical depth was associated with a 10–20% reduction in cloud droplet effective radius, resulting in enhanced cloud optical depth and suppressed precipitation formation. Climate model simulations further revealed that precipitation efficiency decreased by approximately 15% under heavily polluted conditions compared with relatively clean environments. Regional analyses demonstrated that anthropogenic aerosols strongly modify cloud properties over industrial regions, mineral dust acts as an efficient ice-nucleating particle in arid environments, and sea-salt aerosols exert comparatively weak radiative effects over marine regions. Strong agreement among satellite observations, ground-based measurements, and model simulations enhances the reliability of these findings. Overall, the study highlights the critical role of aerosol–cloud interactions in regulating the Earth's radiation budget and hydrological cycle and emphasizes the importance of accurately representing aerosol processes in climate models to improve future climate projections.
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