Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3705
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3705
07 Feb 2025
 | 07 Feb 2025

Direct radiative forcing of light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosol and the influencing factors over China

Shuangqin Yang, Yusi Liu, Li Chen, Nan Cao, Jing Wang, and Shuang Gao

Abstract. Black carbon (BC) and brown carbon (BrC) are the dominant light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosols (LACs) that contribute significantly to climate change through absorbing and scattering radiation. This study used the GEOS-Chem integrated with the Rapid Radiative Transfer Model for GCMs to estimate LACs properties and direct radiative forcings (DRFs) in China. Primary BrC (Pri-BrC) and secondary BrC (Sec-BrC) were separated from the organic carbon and modeled as independent tracers. The Chinese anthropogenic emissions of LACs emissions and the refractive indexes were updated. Additionally, we investigated the impacts of LACs properties and atmospheric variables on LACs DRFs based on principal component analysis. The results showed that the atmospheric annual mean clear-sky net DRFs of BC, Pri-BrC, and Sec-BrC in China were 1.848 ± 1.098, 0.146 ± 0.079, and 0.022 ± 0.008 W m-2, respectively. The atmospheric shortwave DRFs of BC and Pri-BrC were proportional to their corresponding concentrations, aerosol optical depth (AOD), and absorption aerosol optical depth (AAOD), and inversely proportional to single scattering albedo, surface albedo, and ozone concentration in most regions. The surface longwave DRFs for the LACs showed negative correlations with water vapor in most areas. The highest atmospheric warming effect of LACs was observed in Central China, followed by East China, owing to the high LACs concentrations, AOD, and AAOD and low surface albedo and ozone concentration. Based on the net DRFs, we found that BC exerts a warming effect at the top of the atmosphere, while Pri-BrC and Sec-BrC induce a cooling effect. Within the atmosphere, they all can contribute to atmospheric heating, whereas at the surface, they collectively lead to surface cooling. This study enhances our understanding of the climatic impacts of LACs.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

27 Aug 2025
Direct radiative forcing of light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosol and the influencing factors over China
Shuangqin Yang, Yusi Liu, Li Chen, Nan Cao, Jing Wang, and Shuang Gao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 9335–9355, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-9335-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-9335-2025, 2025
Short summary
Shuangqin Yang, Yusi Liu, Li Chen, Nan Cao, Jing Wang, and Shuang Gao

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3705', I. Pérez, 24 Feb 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Li Chen, 27 Feb 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3705', Carynelisa Haspel, 26 Feb 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Li Chen, 07 Mar 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3705', I. Pérez, 24 Feb 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Li Chen, 27 Feb 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3705', Carynelisa Haspel, 26 Feb 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Li Chen, 07 Mar 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Li Chen on behalf of the Authors (23 Mar 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (02 May 2025) by N'Datchoh Evelyne Touré
RR by I. Pérez (07 May 2025)
RR by Carynelisa Haspel (12 May 2025)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (27 May 2025) by N'Datchoh Evelyne Touré
AR by Li Chen on behalf of the Authors (28 May 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (05 Jun 2025) by N'Datchoh Evelyne Touré
AR by Li Chen on behalf of the Authors (07 Jun 2025)  Author's response   Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

27 Aug 2025
Direct radiative forcing of light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosol and the influencing factors over China
Shuangqin Yang, Yusi Liu, Li Chen, Nan Cao, Jing Wang, and Shuang Gao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 9335–9355, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-9335-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-9335-2025, 2025
Short summary
Shuangqin Yang, Yusi Liu, Li Chen, Nan Cao, Jing Wang, and Shuang Gao
Shuangqin Yang, Yusi Liu, Li Chen, Nan Cao, Jing Wang, and Shuang Gao

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Short summary
Black carbon, primary brown carbon, and secondary brown carbon are the leading light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosols (LACs) that contribute significantly to climate change. We modified the GEOS-Chem model to simulate the climate change by LACs based on local emission inventory, and explored the impacts of LACs properties and atmospheric variables on the corresponding DRFs in seven regions of China. The study confirms the warming effect of LACs and deepens our knowledge of their climatic effects.
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