Analysis and quantification of the diversities of aerosol life cycles within AeroCom

Abstract. Simulation results of global aerosol models have been assembled in the framework of the AeroCom intercomparison exercise. In this paper, we analyze the life cycles of dust, sea salt, sulfate, black carbon and particulate organic matter as simulated by sixteen global aerosol models. The differences among the results (model diversities) for sources and sinks, burdens, particle sizes, water uptakes, and spatial dispersals have been established. These diversities have large consequences for the calculated radiative forcing and the aerosol concentrations at the surface. Processes and parameters are identified which deserve further research. The AeroCom all-models-average emissions are dominated by the…

• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy

  Awards: DE-AC06-76RLO, DE-AC06-76RLO 1830, AC06-76RLO 1830, 76RLO 1830, contract DE-AC06-76RLO 1830
• NA
  National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• B
  Battelle

  Awards: DE-AC06-76RLO 1830, AC06-76RLO 1830, DE-AC06-76RLO
• DF
  Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK Government
• CN
  Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales
• PN
  Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

  Awards: DE-AC06-76RLO 1830, DE-AC06-76RLO