Publication Date:
2022-04-01
Description:
Despite the implication of aerosols for the radiation budget, there are persistent differences in data for the aerosol optical depth (τ) for 1998–2019. This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the large‐scale spatio‐temporal patterns of mid‐visible τ from modern data sets. In total, we assessed 94 different global data sets from eight satellite retrievals, four aerosol‐climate model ensembles, one operational ensemble product, two reanalyses, one climatology and one merged satellite product. We include the new satellite data SLSTR and aerosol‐climate simulations from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) and the Aerosol Comparisons between Observations and Models Phase 3 (AeroCom‐III). Our intercomparison highlights model differences and observational uncertainty. Spatial mean τ for 60°N – 60°S ranges from 0.124 to 0.164 for individual satellites, with a mean of 0.14. Averaged τ from aerosol‐climate model ensembles fall within this satellite range, but individual models do not. Our assessment suggests no systematic improvement compared to CMIP5 and AeroCom‐I. Although some regional biases have been reduced, τ from both CMIP6 and AeroCom‐III are for instance substantially larger along extra‐tropical storm tracks compared to the satellite products. The considerable uncertainty in observed τ implies that a model evaluation based on a single satellite product might draw biased conclusions. This underlines the need for continued efforts to improve both model and satellite estimates of τ, for example, through measurement campaigns in areas of particularly uncertain satellite estimates identified in this study, to facilitate a better understanding of aerosol effects in the Earth system.
Description:
Plain Language Summary:
Aerosols are known to affect atmospheric processes. For instance, particles emitted during dust storms, biomass burning and anthropogenic activities affect air quality and influence the climate through effects on solar radiation and clouds. Although many studies address such aerosol effects, there is a persistent difference in current estimates of the amount of aerosols in the atmosphere across observations and complex climate models. This study documents the data differences for aerosol amounts, including new estimates from climate‐model simulations and satellite products. We quantify considerable differences across aerosol amount estimates as well as regional and seasonal variations of extended and new data. Further, this study addresses the question to what extent complex climate models have improved over the past decades in light of observational uncertainty.
Description:
Key Points:
Present‐day patterns in aerosol optical depth differ substantially between 94 modern global data sets.
The range in spatial means from individual satellites is −11% to +17% of the multi‐satellite mean.
Spatial means from climate model intercomparison projects fall within the satellite range but strong regional differences are identified.
Description:
Hans‐Ertel‐Center for Weather Research
Description:
Collaborative Research Centre 1211
Description:
Max‐Planck‐Institute for Meteorology
Keywords:
ddc:551.5
Language:
English
Type:
doc-type:article
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