Investigation of the Aerosol Indirect Effect on Ice Clouds and its Climate Impact Using A-Train Satellite Data and a GCM (General Circulation Model)

本研究的目的是提高我们的理解气溶胶的间接影响，重点是冰云及其对气候模拟和模拟的影响，通过气溶胶，云，辐射和动力过程之间的相互作用，使用大气环流模式（GCM）和卫星数据。这项研究的方法将涉及观测分析和气候建模。将分析从A-Train卫星观测中检索到的云和气溶胶数据，并将其用于气候模拟。新的奋进将包括参数化的气溶胶第一间接影响冰晶的有效尺寸用于气候模型的基础上，A-列车卫星数据对应的“干净”和“污染”的云。将采用加州大学洛杉矶分校大气GCM（AGCM）来研究大气系统对气溶胶第一间接效应辐射强迫的响应。本研究是利用大气环流模式结合A-train卫星资料量化气溶胶间接效应的气候影响的首次尝试之一，特别是，该项目将：（1）发展气溶胶第一间接效应对冰晶有效尺寸的参数化，以应用于大气环流模式;（2）量化气候模式中气溶胶第一间接效应的辐射强迫;（3）确定气溶胶直接辐射强迫存在时气溶胶间接效应的相对重要性;（4）研究污染云对与气溶胶直接和间接效应相关的全球和区域气候变化的影响;以及（5）检查现有的气溶胶对冰云的间接影响参数化，该参数化是在简化的冰微物理学基础上开发的，探索卫星数据，以协助这类参数化。这项研究的更广泛的影响包括对气溶胶气候效应的深入了解，以及通过减少GCM中与气溶胶相关的不确定性可能改善气候模拟和预测。 一名研究生将得到培训和支持。

The objective of this study is to improve our understanding of the aerosol indirect effect with a focus on ice clouds and its impact on climate modeling and simulation through the interactions among aerosols, clouds, radiation, and dynamical processes, using a general circulation model (GCM) and satellite data. The approach of this research will involve both observational analysis and climate modeling. Cloud and aerosol data retrieved from A-Train satellite observations will be analyzed and employed in climate modeling simulations. The new endeavor will include parameterization of the aerosol first indirect effect on ice crystal effective size for use in climate models based on the A-Train satellite data corresponding to 'clean' and 'polluted' clouds. The UCLA atmospheric GCM (AGCM) will be employed to investigate the response of the atmosphere system to the radiative forcings of the aerosol first indirect effect. This study represents one of the first attempts to quantify the climate impact of the aerosol indirect effect using a GCM in connection with A-train satellite data.In particular, the project will: (1) develop a parameterization of the aerosol first indirect effect on ice crystal effective size for application to GCMs; (2) quantify the radiative forcing of the aerosol first indirect effect in a climate model; (3) identify the relative importance of the aerosol indirect effect with the presence of aerosol direct radiative forcing; (4) investigate the impact of polluted clouds on global and regional climate change associated with the aerosol direct and indirect effects; and (5) examine the existing aerosol indirect effect parameterization on ice clouds that has been developed on the basis of simplified ice microphysics and explore the satellite data to assist in this type of parameterization. Broader impacts of this research include an advanced understanding of climatic effects of aerosols and potentially improved climate simulations and projection by reducing aerosol related uncertainties in GCMs. A graduate student will be trained and supported.