Dust aerosol emitted from Arid and semi-arid areas as one of the three main absorbing aerosols, its radiative forcing is one of the largest source of uncertainties in global and regional climate change. In this study we use available five years Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) satellite observations to estimate the spatial-seasonal vertical distribution and optical properties variability of dust aerosol. Then, we estimate global dust aerosol radiative forcing and heating rate using the Fu-Liou radiative transfer model along with satellite observations. We find that the dust aerosols have a significant impact on the radiative forcing at the top of the atmosphere (TOA), surface and in the atmosphere. The large modifications of radiative energy budget by the dust aerosols should have important implications for the atmospheric circulation and climate.

Global vertical distribution and variability of dust aerosol optical depth derived from CALIPSO Measurements

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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