Global indirect aerosol effects: a review

[摘要] Aerosols affect the climate system by changing cloud characteristicsinmany ways. They act as cloud condensation and ice nuclei, they mayinhibit freezing and they could have an influence on the hydrologicalcycle. While the cloud albedo enhancement (Twomey effect) of warmclouds received most attention so far and traditionally is the onlyindirect aerosol forcing considered in transient climate simulations,here we discuss the multitude of effects.Different approaches howthe climatic implications of these aerosol effects can be estimatedglobally as well as improvements that are needed in global climatemodels in order to better represent indirect aerosol effects arediscussed in this paper.

[学科分类] 大气科学