SensNews May 2016

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Sensor100 May 2016 18
Current atmospheric models underestimate the
dirtiness of Arctic air
Black carbon aerosols—particles of carbon that rise into the atmosphere when
biomass, agricultural waste, and fossil fuels are burned in an incomplete way—are
important for understanding climate change, as they absorb sunlight, leading to higher
atmospheric temperatures, and can also coat Arctic snow with a darker layer, reduc-
ing its reflectivity and leading to increased melting. Unfortunately, current simulation
models, which combine global climate models with aerosol transport models, consis-
tently underestimate the amount of these aerosols in the Arctic compared to actual
measurements during the spring and winter seasons, making it difficult to accurately
assess the impact of these substances on the climate.
Global aerosol transport simulation using the K computer
May 25