My ResearchMy ResearchBy: Ms. WilliamsBy: Ms. Williams

June 29, 2004June 29, 2004

                                                                                       

Warm-UpWarm-UpActivityActivity

Aerosol-Cloud-ClimateAerosol-Cloud-ClimateInteractionsInteractions

AerosolAerosol

1 : a suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in gas <smoke, fog, and mist are aerosols>

CloudCloud

1 : a visible mass of particles of condensed vapor (as water or ice) suspended in the atmosphere of a planet (as the earth) or moon

ClimateClimate

2 a : the average course or condition of the weather at a place usually over a period of years as exhibited by temperature, wind velocity, and precipitation

Aerosol-Cloud-Climate Aerosol-Cloud-Climate InteractionsInteractions

Aerosol Cloud Climate

Direct Effect

IndirectEffect

The sun emits short-wave radiation towards to earth

The Earth re-emits long-wave radiation back towards space

Fun Fact

Without Earth's atmosphere, temperatures would climb to over 2000°F (93°C) during the day and fall to 280°F (138°C) below zero at

night.

Direct EffectDirect Effect Aerosol Climate

Aerosols scatter solar

radiation

Direct EffectDirect Effect Aerosol Climate

Aerosols absorb

terrestrial radiation

Light ScatteringLight ScatteringDemonstrationDemonstration

Clouds-ClimateClouds-ClimateCloud Climate

Clouds also

intercept solar

radiation

Why does it feel cooler Why does it feel cooler on a cloudy day?on a cloudy day?

Sunny Day @ the Beach

Cloudy Day @ the Beach

Cloud Formation Cloud Formation Demonstration IDemonstration I

Cloud FormationCloud Formation

Cloud Formation Cloud Formation Demonstration IIDemonstration II

Cloud FormationCloud Formation

Clouds form in Clouds form in regions of the regions of the atmosphere atmosphere where water where water vapor is vapor is supersaturated.supersaturated.

However, the However, the water vapor must water vapor must condense on condense on aerosol particles aerosol particles to form clouds to form clouds Aerosols that

become a cloud drop

Cloud

Aerosol Cloud

Why do clouds not form Why do clouds not form everywhere water vapor everywhere water vapor exists?exists?

Cloud Regions Water Vapor Regions

11stst Indirect Effect Indirect EffectAerosol Cloud

More polluted:Smaller drops

Less polluted:Larger drops

Fun Fact:

The droplets of water or ice in a cloud are

about 70 times smaller than the period at the end of this sentence.

11stst Indirect Effect Indirect EffectAerosol Cloud

Why is the crushed ice Why is the crushed ice brighter than the cubed brighter than the cubed ice?ice?

22ndnd Indirect Effect Indirect EffectAerosol Cloud

Time

Why do clouds get darker Why do clouds get darker right before it rains?right before it rains?

What is the overall What is the overall impact?impact?

IPCC, 2001

How does this affect us?How does this affect us?

Climate is a Climate is a delicate systemdelicate system

Predict future Predict future climate trendsclimate trends

Predict Predict consequences consequences of current of current actionsactions

“The Day After

Tomorrow”

Other Aerosol ImpactsOther Aerosol Impacts

Acid RainAcid Rain Anthropogenic Anthropogenic

(man-made) (man-made) aerosolsaerosols

Vegetation DamageVegetation Damage Ecological systemEcological system

HealthHealth Respiratory EffectsRespiratory Effects

VisibilityVisibility Smog, Fog, Haze, Smog, Fog, Haze,

etc…etc…

?? Questions ???? Questions ??

RecapRecap

AerosolClimate

Direct Effect:Direct Effect:-Aerosols absorb -Aerosols absorb and scatter Sun’s and scatter Sun’s RadiationRadiation

Aerosol Cloud

Indirect Effects:Indirect Effects:-Clouds need aerosols to -Clouds need aerosols to formform

Cloud Climate

Clouds Reflect Clouds Reflect Sunlight From SpaceSunlight From SpaceClouds reflect more Clouds reflect more and live longer as the and live longer as the number of aerosols number of aerosols increaseincrease

RecapRecap

Aerosol Cloud Climate

Direct Effect

IndirectEffect

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