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:
- Recent Advances in the Investigations of Primary and Secondary Organic Aerosols in Atmosphere (Deadline: 6 June 2023)
- Characterization of Atmospheric Aerosols and Their Effects, from Observation to Model Studies (Deadline: 15 June 2023)
- Aerosols and Trace Gas Emissions: Methods and Applications (Deadline: 30 June 2023)
- Aerobiology and Health Impacts (Deadline: 30 June 2023)
- Oxidative Potential Caused by Atmospheric Particles (Deadline: 7 July 2023)
- Atmospheric Chemistry of Volatile Organic Compounds: Kinetics, Degradation Mechanisms, and Secondary Organic Aerosols (Deadline: 15 July 2023)
- Influencing Factors of Secondary Organic Aerosol (SOA) Formation and Optical Absorption (Deadline: 15 July 2023)
- Biomass Combustion: Emissions, High-Temperature Aerosols, and Atmospheric Impact (Deadline: 19 July 2023)
- Bioaerosols: Advances and Prospects on Assessment of Exposure to Bioaerosols and Their Effects on Health (Deadline: 25 July 2023)
- Carbonaceous Aerosols (Deadline: 27 July 2023)
- Remote Sensing and Observation of the Optical Properties of Aerosols (Deadline: 30 July 2023)
- Marine Aerosols and Their Effects on Aerosol-Cloud Interactions (Deadline: 31 July 2023)
- Measurements of Physico-Chemical Properties of Atmospheric Aerosols and Their Impacts in Air Pollution and Climate (Deadline: 31 July 2023)
- Measurement of Aerosol Optical Properties and Radiative Forcing (Deadline: 31 July 2023)
- Light-Absorbing Particles in Snow and Ice (Deadline: 31 July 2023)
- Atmospheric Aerosols: Characterization and Health Impact (Deadline: 1 August 2023)
- Atmospheric Aerosols: Interaction between Vertical Distribution of Air Pollution and Its Transportation within Boundary Layer (Deadline: 20 August 2023)
- Stable Isotopes in Atmospheric Chemistry (Deadline: 31 August 2023)
- Atmospheric Aerosols and Climate Impacts (Deadline: 31 August 2023)
- Carbonaceous Aerosols Association in Atmosphere (CA3) (Deadline: 31 August 2023)
- Atmospheric Bioaerosols: Detection, Characterization and Modelling (Deadline: 20 September 2023)
- Evolution Processes of Organic Aerosols (Deadline: 20 September 2023)
- Atmospheric Aerosols: Source Apportionment, Characterizations, and Impacts (Deadline: 20 September 2023)
- Characteristics and Formation of Secondary Organic Aerosols (Deadline: 22 September 2023)
- Natural Sources Aerosol Remote Monitoring (Deadline: 30 September 2023)
- Aerosol–Light Interactions; Radiative Absorption and Emission by Particles of Atmosphere (Deadline: 30 September 2023)
- Chemical and Morphological Characterization of Atmospheric Aerosols (Deadline: 5 October 2023)
- Atmospheric Aerosol Optical Properties (2nd Edition) (Deadline: 25 October 2023)
- The Global Atmospheric Microbiome (Deadline: 25 October 2023)
- Aerosol Environmental Remote Sensing (Deadline: 31 October 2023)