On the climatic relevancy of Arctic Haze:
Optical properties of Arctic Haze are known only roughly, but seem to be bracketed in the following ranges: optical depth, 0.1 to 0.5; haze asymmetry factor, 0.6 to 0.7; albedo of single scattering, 0.8 to 0.98. On the basis of these numbers, simple static energy balance considera-tions suggest that...
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| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
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1984
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| Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.475.359 http://www.tellusb.net/coaction/index.php/tellusb/article/download/14994/16804/ |
| Summary: | Optical properties of Arctic Haze are known only roughly, but seem to be bracketed in the following ranges: optical depth, 0.1 to 0.5; haze asymmetry factor, 0.6 to 0.7; albedo of single scattering, 0.8 to 0.98. On the basis of these numbers, simple static energy balance considera-tions suggest that the light-absorbing haze over the northern reflecting ice cap creates an earth-atmosphere warming of 0.1 to l.O°C in comparison to a hypothetical haze-free Arctic. Before elaborate climatic models can be run with such meaning, the optical properties of the Arctic Haze, its geographical extent and seasonal variation have to be determined more accurately. The intent of this note is to draw the estimated radiative and optical properties of Arctic Haze together as a group and consider them in the context of an extremely simple static energy balance climate model. On the basis of such a “first order ” model it is suggested that the mean earth-atmosphere Arctic temperature may be 0.1 to 1 O C warmer than without haze. There is no point at this time to consider more refined modeling until the radiative parameters of Arctic Haze are known more precisely. After a decade of research there is now general agreement that the Arctic aerosol has appreciable optical thicknesses (Shaw, 1982; Mendonca et al., 1981) especially in spring months, and contains graphitic (i.e., black) carbon which absorbs visible-band radiation (Heintzenberg, 1982; Patterson et |
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