Wednesday, 20 November 2013 at 12:00 PM:

Where: Center for Atmospheric Sciences Conference Room (Phenix 119)

Speaker: T. Duncan Fairlie

From: NASA Langley

Title: On the nature, origin, and climate impact of the Asian Tropopause Aerosol Layer

Abstract: We are investigating the formation, composition, radiative and potential climate Impacts of the Asian Tropopause Aerosol Layer (ATAL), (Vernier et al., GRL, 2011), which forms during the Southeast Asian Monsoon. We use a CALIOP lidar data, together with balloon backscatter measurements to detect and characterize aerosol optical properties, and SAGE-II data to study it’s longer-term history. We are investigating ATAL composition using in-situ data from aircraft and results from a 3-D chemical transport model. We compare ATAL evolution with parameters associated with cloud top e.g. TRMM overshoots, and upper troposphere composition, e.g. MLS CO, and use air parcel trajectories, to infer likely mechanisms for ATAL origin and formation. A radiative transfer model is used to assess the potential impact of ATAL on regional climate.

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