Global Modelling of Aerosols and Chemistry in Support of SOLAS-UK
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: School of Earth and Environment
Abstract
One of the most important feedbacks in the natural climate system involves the emission of gases from the ocean surface. One important gas, dimethyl sulphide, leads to the formation of particles in the air (aerosol). These particles strongly influence the nature of clouds, which in turn play a large part in controlling global temperatures. Emissions of dimethyl sulphide may be different in a future climate. It is therefore important to understand how changes in the emission of this gas affect the aerosol in the marine atmosphere. The chemical composition and physical properties of particles in the marine atmosphere are shaped by a complex range of processes (involving gas chemistry, particle formation, removal and transport) occurring on global scales. These processes are poorly quantified at present. In this project we will use a new global model of aerosols (small particles in the atmosphere) to quantify how chemical and meteorological processes control the size of the particles, their chemical composition, variability in time and space, and their ability to form clouds. The principal outcomes of this work will be a complete assessment of our understanding of marine aerosols as well as a fully evaluated global aerosol/chemistry model. We will also use this detailed model to develop an improved version of the UK climate model to make sure that it contains the aerosol processes necessary to undertake realistic climate simulations. Part of our effort will be dedicated to producing size and composition-resolved aerosol predictions for oceanic regions of relevance to intensive field campaigns, thereby aiding the analysis of observations made in other projects.
Organisations
Publications
Breider T
(2010)
Impact of BrO on dimethylsulfide in the remote marine boundary layer IMPACT OF BRO + DMS IN RMBL
in Geophysical Research Letters
Korhonen H
(2008)
Influence of oceanic dimethyl sulfide emissions on cloud condensation nuclei concentrations and seasonality over the remote Southern Hemisphere oceans: A global model study
in Journal of Geophysical Research
Korhonen H
(2008)
A global model study of processes controlling aerosol size distributions in the Arctic spring and summer
in Journal of Geophysical Research
Korhonen H
(2010)
Aerosol climate feedback due to decadal increases in Southern Hemisphere wind speeds AEROSOL FEEDBACK DUE TO WIND SPEED
in Geophysical Research Letters
Pringle K
(2009)
The relationship between aerosol and cloud drop number concentrations in a global aerosol microphysics model
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Spracklen D
(2008)
Globally significant oceanic source of organic carbon aerosol
in Geophysical Research Letters
Woodhouse M
(2013)
Sensitivity of cloud condensation nuclei to regional changes in dimethyl-sulphide emissions
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Woodhouse M
(2008)
New Directions: The impact of oceanic iron fertilisation on cloud condensation nuclei
in Atmospheric Environment
Title | Global Model of Aerosol Processes (GLOMAP) |
Description | The Global Model of Aerosol Processes (GLOMAP) is a global chemical transport model incorporating an aerosol chemistry and microphysics scheme. |
Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
Year Produced | 2010 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | GLOMAP has now been incorporated in the HadGEM and UKESM models and will be used for submission to the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project. It has also been incorporated in the ECMWF-IFS model and the CSIRO air quality model. |
URL | https://www.see.leeds.ac.uk/research/icas/research-themes/atmospheric-chemistry-and-aerosols/groups/... |