Atmospheric Aerosol in the Changing Arctic

Warming and sea ice loss in the Arctic are affecting the complex interactions between the atmosphere, ocean, land, and ice-covered areas, including the formation and transport of aerosol.

The Arctic environment is changing rapidly. While Arctic climate change is mostly driven by increases in greenhouse gases produced by human activity, other types of atmospheric emissions also influence the climate system. A recent paper in Reviews of Geophysics explores the relationships between atmospheric aerosol and climate change in the Arctic. Here, the authors of the paper give an overview of aerosol sources, formation processes, variability and trends, and suggest where further research is needed.

What is atmospheric aerosol and why does it matter in the Arctic?

Atmospheric aerosols are tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere. These particles impact Earth’s climate by changing the amount of solar energy that reaches Earth’s surface; either by scattering sunlight, or by participating in the formation of clouds. To understand past and future changes in Arctic climate, we need to understand the processes that drive aerosol formation, transformation and eventual loss from the atmosphere.

https://eos.org/editors-vox/atmospheric-aerosol-in-the-changing-arctic