Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3135
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3135
11 Oct 2024
 | 11 Oct 2024

Analysis of ship emission effects on clouds over the southeastern Atlantic using geostationary satellite observations

Nikos Benas, Jan Fokke Meirink, Rob Roebeling, and Martin Stengel

Abstract. This study investigates the impact of ship emissions on clouds over a shipping corridor in the southeastern Atlantic. Using CLAAS-3, the 20-year (2004–2023) CLoud property dAtA set using SEVIRI, (the geostationary Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager), the diurnal, seasonal and long-term corridor effects on clouds are examined. Results show a significant impact of ship emissions on cloud microphysics, consistent with the Twomey effect: an increase in cloud droplet number concentration (Nd) and a decrease in effective radius (re). Additionally, cloud liquid water path (W) decreases, though changes in cloud fraction are more subtle. Seasonal and diurnal variations of the impact are also evident, influenced by regional conditions and by the cloud thinning during the day, respectively. The long-term analysis reveals a weakening of the shipping corridor effect on Nd and re presumably following the International Maritime Organization's 2020 stricter regulations on sulfur emissions, and broader regional changes in W and cloud fraction, associated with sea surface temperature variations. The methodology developed for this analysis benefits from the spatially constrained emissions in the shipping corridor, which enhance the detectability of corresponding effects on clouds. Focusing on a climatically important cloud regime, this study highlights the potential of geostationary satellite-based cloud observations for similar analyses.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

08 Jul 2025
Analysis of ship emission effects on clouds over the southeastern Atlantic using geostationary satellite observations
Nikos Benas, Jan Fokke Meirink, Rob Roebeling, and Martin Stengel
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 6957–6973, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6957-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6957-2025, 2025
Short summary
Nikos Benas, Jan Fokke Meirink, Rob Roebeling, and Martin Stengel

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3135', Michael Diamond, 01 Nov 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3135', Anonymous Referee #2, 06 Nov 2024
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3135', Anonymous Referee #3, 13 Nov 2024

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3135', Michael Diamond, 01 Nov 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3135', Anonymous Referee #2, 06 Nov 2024
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3135', Anonymous Referee #3, 13 Nov 2024

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Nikos Benas on behalf of the Authors (03 Feb 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (03 Feb 2025) by Graham Feingold
RR by Michael Diamond (17 Feb 2025)
RR by Anonymous Referee #3 (25 Feb 2025)
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (26 Feb 2025)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (10 Mar 2025) by Graham Feingold
AR by Nikos Benas on behalf of the Authors (28 Mar 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (14 Apr 2025) by Graham Feingold
AR by Nikos Benas on behalf of the Authors (15 Apr 2025)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

08 Jul 2025
Analysis of ship emission effects on clouds over the southeastern Atlantic using geostationary satellite observations
Nikos Benas, Jan Fokke Meirink, Rob Roebeling, and Martin Stengel
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 6957–6973, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6957-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-6957-2025, 2025
Short summary
Nikos Benas, Jan Fokke Meirink, Rob Roebeling, and Martin Stengel
Nikos Benas, Jan Fokke Meirink, Rob Roebeling, and Martin Stengel

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Short summary
This study examines how ship emissions affect clouds over a shipping corridor in the southeastern Atlantic. Using satellite data from 2004 to 2023, we find that ship emissions increase the number of cloud droplets while reducing their size, and slightly decrease cloud water content. Effects on seasonal and daily patterns vary based on regional factors. The impact of emissions weakened after stricter regulations were implemented in 2020.
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