Radiative forcing by light-absorbing particles in snow

S. McKenzie Skiles (), Mark Flanner, Joseph M. Cook, Marie Dumont and Thomas H. Painter
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S. McKenzie Skiles: University of Utah
Mark Flanner: University of Michigan
Joseph M. Cook: University of Sheffield
Marie Dumont: University Grenoble Alpes, Universite de Toulouse, Meteo-France, CNRS, CNRM, Centre d’Etudes de la Neige
Thomas H. Painter: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology

Nature Climate Change, 2018, vol. 8, issue 11, 964-971

Abstract: Abstract As one of the brightest natural surfaces on Earth, the darkening of snow by light-absorbing particles (LAPs) — dust, black carbon or microbial growth — can trigger albedo feedbacks and accelerate snowmelt. Indeed, an increase in black carbon deposition following the industrial revolution has led to the recognition that LAP radiative forcing has contributed to a reduction in the global cryosphere, with corresponding climatic impacts. This Review synthesizes our current understanding of the distribution of radiative forcing by LAPs in snow, and discusses the challenges that need to be overcome to constrain global impacts, including the limited scope of local-scale observations, limitations of remote sensing technology and the representation of LAP-related processes in Earth system models.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41558-018-0296-5

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