Interactions between biomass-burning aerosols and clouds over Southeast Asia: current status, challenges, and perspectives

Neng-Huei Lin; Andrew M Sayer; Sheng-Hsiang Wang; Adrian M Loftus; Ta-Chih Hsiao; Guey-Rong Sheu; N Christina Hsu; Si-Chee Tsay; Somporn Chantara

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2014.06.036

Interactions between biomass-burning aerosols and clouds over Southeast Asia: current status, challenges, and perspectives

Environ Pollut. 2014 Dec:195:292-307. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2014.06.036. Epub 2014 Jul 30.

Authors

Neng-Huei Lin¹, Andrew M Sayer², Sheng-Hsiang Wang³, Adrian M Loftus⁴, Ta-Chih Hsiao⁵, Guey-Rong Sheu³, N Christina Hsu⁶, Si-Chee Tsay⁶, Somporn Chantara⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Atmospheric Sciences, National Central University, Chung-Li, Taiwan; Chemistry Department and Environmental Science Program, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand. Electronic address: nhlin@cc.ncu.edu.tw.
² Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA, Greenbelt, MD, USA; Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD, USA.
³ Department of Atmospheric Sciences, National Central University, Chung-Li, Taiwan.
⁴ Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA, Greenbelt, MD, USA; Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN, USA.
⁵ Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Central University, Chung-Li, Taiwan.
⁶ Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA, Greenbelt, MD, USA.
⁷ Chemistry Department and Environmental Science Program, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.

PMID: 25085565
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2014.06.036

Abstract

The interactions between aerosols, clouds, and precipitation remain among the largest sources of uncertainty in the Earth's energy budget. Biomass-burning aerosols are a key feature of the global aerosol system, with significant annually-repeating fires in several parts of the world, including Southeast Asia (SEA). SEA in particular provides a "natural laboratory" for these studies, as smoke travels from source regions downwind in which it is coupled to persistent stratocumulus decks. However, SEA has been under-exploited for these studies. This review summarizes previous related field campaigns in SEA, with a focus on the ongoing Seven South East Asian Studies (7-SEAS) and results from the most recent BASELInE deployment. Progress from remote sensing and modeling studies, along with the challenges faced for these studies, are also discussed. We suggest that improvements to our knowledge of these aerosol/cloud effects require the synergistic use of field measurements with remote sensing and modeling tools.

Keywords: 7-SEAS; Aerosol chemistry; Aerosol–cloud interaction; Biomass-burning aerosol; Remote sensing; Southeast Asia.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aerosols / analysis*
Air Pollutants / analysis*
Asia, Southeastern
Atmosphere / chemistry*
Biomass
Climate
Fires / statistics & numerical data*
Smoke / analysis*

Substances

Aerosols
Air Pollutants
Smoke