Aerosols, Clusters, Greenhouse Gases, Trace Gases and Boundary-Layer Dynamics: on Feedbacks and Interactions

Abstract

Turbulence is the key process transporting material and energy in the atmosphere. Furthermore, turbulence causes concentration fluctuations, influencing different atmospheric processes such as deposition, chemical reactions, formation of low-volatile vapours, formation of new aerosol particles and their growth in the atmosphere, and the effect of aerosol particles on boundary-layer meteorology. In order to analyse the connections, interactions and feedbacks relating those different processes require a deep understanding of atmospheric turbulence mechanisms, atmospheric chemistry and aerosol dynamics. All these processes will further influence air pollution and climate. The better we understand these processes and their interactions and associated feedback, the more effectively we can mitigate air pollution as well as mitigate climate forcers and adapt to climate change. We present several aspects on the importance of turbulence including how turbulence is crucial for atmospheric phenomena and feedbacks in different environments. Furthermore, we discuss how boundary-layer dynamics links to aerosols and air pollution. Here, we present also a roadmap from deep understanding to practical solutions.

Opinion: The strength of long-term comprehensive observations to meet multiple grand challenges in different environments and in the atmosphere

“…It utilizes a multidisciplinary and integrated approach to quantify the feedbacks. The loop consists of several interrelated processes (for a detailed description, see Kulmala et al, 2014a;Artaxo et al, 2022;Kulmala et al, 2023): (1) the atmospheric temperature and CO 2 influences on biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions; (2) the influence of BVOCs on the formation and growth of aerosol particles; (3) the effect of aerosol particles on clouds; (4) the effect of aerosol particles and clouds on solar radiation, in particular, on its diffuse fraction; and (5) the link between diffuse radiation and photosynthesis and the carbon sink in general.…”

The impact of aerosols and model grid spacing on a supercell storm from Swabian MOSES 2021

“…Large uncertainties also arise from the nonlinear character of the microphysics and aerosol–cloud interactions, which have been shown to vary with the environmental conditions, the aerosol regime, or cloud type (e.g., Altaratz et al, 2014; Barthlott & Hoose, 2018; Fan et al, 2016; Tao et al, 2012; van den Heever et al, 2011). Furthermore, boundary‐layer processes are linked to aerosols also, as cloud condensation nuclei (CCNs) can influence the energy/radiation balance on the ground via effects on the number and size of cloud droplets, and thus on the cloud optical depth (e.g., Barthlott et al, 2022a; Kulmala et al, 2023). In addition, there are large uncertainties in the aerosol number concentration, as there are few in‐situ observations or routine measurements of aerosols in three‐dimensional space (Thompson et al, 2021).…”

Numerical Modeling for Enhanced Pollutant Transport Prediction in Industrial Atmospheric Air

“…Kulmala et al [31] examined the importance of turbulence in atmospheric processes and its effect on major atmospheric phenomena such as precipitation, chemical reactions and the formation of aerosol particles. The authors discuss the need for a deep understanding of these processes to combat air pollution and climate change, and also consider the practical aspects of using this knowledge to develop effective strategies to improve environmental quality.…”