Aerosols
A section of Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433).
Section Information
Aerosol particles play a central role in the composition and radiation budget of the atmosphere. The aerosol distribution on global and regional scales is dependent on emission, chemical processing, removal and horizontal–vertical transport, and may significantly affect the local and regional air quality. A variety of measurement techniques and numerical modeling tools is used to study the aerosol spatial distribution and its effects on atmospheric composition and radiative transfer. The latter take place through a number of processes, from direct scattering and absorption of solar and planetary radiation to indirect effects related to the formation of cloud droplets and ice particles in the troposphere, or even in the stratospheric polar vortices. Other effects may play a substantial role in the atmospheric radiative transfer, for example, the aerosol deposition feedback on the albedo of snow/ice covered surfaces or the influence on atmospheric stability due to the absorption of radiation. A reliable estimate of the direct radiative effects can be reached if a good knowledge of the vertical distribution of the particles is reached, along with their size distribution and physical composition. A meaningful representation of the indirect effects needs to take several complex microphysical processes into account. Atmospheric aerosols may also cause a negative impact on human health and vegetation. Specific details on emission and chemical mechanisms concerning toxic particulate-borne species are required for an accurate assessment of exposure.
Keywords
- Anthropogenic and natural emissions;
- Primary and secondary atmospheric aerosols;
- Direct, semi-direct and indirect radiative effects;
- Aerosol–cloud interactions;
- Aerosol microphysics;
- Impact on air quality;
- Toxicity of aerosols;
- Large-scale transport;
- Chemical and physical properties;
- Measurements and modeling
Editorial Board
Special Issues
Following special issues within this section are currently open for submissions:
- Advances in Atmospheric Aqueous-Phase Chemistry (Deadline: 20 April 2024)
- Atmospheric Organic Aerosols: Source, Formation and Light Absorption (Deadline: 20 April 2024)
- Natural Sources Aerosol Remote Monitoring (2nd Edition) (Deadline: 30 April 2024)
- Electrostatics of Atmospheric Aerosols (2nd Edition) (Deadline: 29 May 2024)
- Aerosols Pollution: Characteristics, Impacts, Projections and Mitigation (Deadline: 31 May 2024)
- Chemical Composition and Sources of Particles in the Atmosphere (2nd Edition) (Deadline: 1 June 2024)
- Atmospheric Aerosols: Source Apportionment, Characterizations, and Impacts (Deadline: 10 June 2024)
- Real-Time Detection, Discrimination, and Forecasting of Bioaerosols (Deadline: 30 June 2024)
- Recent Advances in the Investigations of Primary and Secondary Organic Aerosols in Atmosphere (Deadline: 5 July 2024)
- Ultrafine Particles: Formation, Transport and Effect (Deadline: 31 July 2024)
- Numerical Simulation of Aerosol Microphysical Processes (Deadline: 31 July 2024)
- Marine Aerosols and Their Effects on Aerosol-Cloud Interactions (Deadline: 24 September 2024)
- Aerosol-Cloud Interactions in Marine Warm Clouds (Deadline: 25 September 2024)
- Characteristics and Formation of Secondary Organic Aerosols (2nd Edition) (Deadline: 27 September 2024)
- Advancing Insights into Atmospheric Aerosols: Understanding Aerosol Formation, Characteristics, Sources and Mitigating Strategies (Deadline: 28 October 2024)