Carbonaceous Aerosols: Understanding Water Uptake and Effects on Light Absorption

Fossil fuels and biomass

biomass

Material that comes from living things, including trees, crops, grasses, and animals and animal waste. Some kinds of biomass, such as wood and biofuels, can be burned to produce energy.

Source: EPA Global Climate Change Source

fuels emit carbonaceous aerosol (CAA),

carbonaceous aerosol (CAA)

Carbonaceous aerosols (particles) in the atmosphere scatte and absorb solar radiation. They comprise of both light-absorbing (elemental carbon and brown carbon) and scattering (organic carbon) species. The absorbing fraction is called black carbon and is primarily produced from incomplete combustion.

Source: Osti.gov Lawarence Livermore National Laboratory, Abstract Source

which can absorb solar radiation. Our research measures how water uptake affects the ability of these aerosols

aerosols

Small particles or droplets, such as wildfire smoke, volcanic gases, or salty sea spray, that float in the air. They are emitted by both natural events and human activities.

Source: NASA Global Climate Change Source

to absorb light. We also analyze the optical properties

optical properties

The characteristics of a material that define how it interacts with light.

Source: Source

of wildfire smoke particles. Our new instrument, laboratory experiments, field observations and model parameterizations address critical gaps in understanding absorption

absorption

The mechanism through which energy (e.g., solar or infrared) is converted into heat and contributes to the overall warming of the Earth's atmosphere and surface.

Source: NOAA Source

data collected by ARM and help advance CAA treatments in E3SM.

Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM)

The Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) project includes Earth System Models, simulations, and predictions to investigate energy-relevant science using code optimized for DOE's advanced supercomputers.

Source: NVCL Web Page Source

This will lead to better understanding of the radiative effects of aerosols and their impact on the Earth.