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Stratospheric aerosol—Observations, processes, and impact on climate
Author(s) -
Kremser Stefanie,
Thomason Larry W.,
Hobe Marc,
Hermann Markus,
Deshler Terry,
Timmreck Claudia,
Toohey Matthew,
Stenke Andrea,
Schwarz Joshua P.,
Weigel Ralf,
Fueglistaler Stephan,
Prata Fred J.,
Vernier JeanPaul,
Schlager Hans,
Barnes John E.,
AntuñaMarrero JuanCarlos,
Fairlie Duncan,
Palm Mathias,
Mahieu Emmanuel,
Notholt Justus,
Rex Markus,
Bingen Christine,
Vanhellemont Filip,
Bourassa Adam,
Plane John M. C.,
Klocke Daniel,
Carn Simon A.,
Clarisse Lieven,
Trickl Thomas,
Neely Ryan,
James Alexander D.,
Rieger Landon,
Wilson James C.,
Meland Brian
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
reviews of geophysics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 8.087
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1944-9208
pISSN - 8755-1209
DOI - 10.1002/2015rg000511
Subject(s) - aerosol , stratosphere , environmental science , atmospheric sciences , sulfate aerosol , climate model , climate change , atmospheric chemistry , climatology , meteorology , geology , physics , ozone , oceanography
Interest in stratospheric aerosol and its role in climate have increased over the last decade due to the observed increase in stratospheric aerosol since 2000 and the potential for changes in the sulfur cycle induced by climate change. This review provides an overview about the advances in stratospheric aerosol research since the last comprehensive assessment of stratospheric aerosol was published in 2006. A crucial development since 2006 is the substantial improvement in the agreement between in situ and space‐based inferences of stratospheric aerosol properties during volcanically quiescent periods. Furthermore, new measurement systems and techniques, both in situ and space based, have been developed for measuring physical aerosol properties with greater accuracy and for characterizing aerosol composition. However, these changes induce challenges to constructing a long‐term stratospheric aerosol climatology. Currently, changes in stratospheric aerosol levels less than 20% cannot be confidently quantified. The volcanic signals tend to mask any nonvolcanically driven change, making them difficult to understand. While the role of carbonyl sulfide as a substantial and relatively constant source of stratospheric sulfur has been confirmed by new observations and model simulations, large uncertainties remain with respect to the contribution from anthropogenic sulfur dioxide emissions. New evidence has been provided that stratospheric aerosol can also contain small amounts of nonsulfate matter such as black carbon and organics. Chemistry‐climate models have substantially increased in quantity and sophistication. In many models the implementation of stratospheric aerosol processes is coupled to radiation and/or stratospheric chemistry modules to account for relevant feedback processes.