Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1030
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1030
07 Apr 2025
 | 07 Apr 2025

Dust radiative forcing in CMIP6 Earth System models: insights from the AerChemMIP piClim-2xdust experiment

Ove W. Haugvaldstad, Dirk Olivié, Trude Storelvmo, and Michael Schulz

Abstract. Mineral dust affects significantly the downwelling and upwelling shortwave (SW) and longwave (LW) radiative fluxes and changes in dust can therefore alter the Earth’s energy balance. This study analyses the dust effective radiative forcing (DuERF) in nine CMIP6 Earth System Models (ESMs) using the piClim-2xdust experiment from AerChemMIP. The piClim-2xdust experiment uses a global dust emission tuning factor to double the emission flux. The DuERF is decomposed into contributions from dust-radiation (direct DuERF) and dust-cloud (cloud DuERF) interactions. The net direct DuERF ranges from −0.56 to 0.05 Wm−2. Models with lower (higher) dust absorption and smaller (larger) fraction of coarse dust show the most negative (positive) direct DuERF. The cloud DuERF is positive in most models, ranging from −0.02 to 0.2 W m−2, however, they differ in their LW and SW flux contribution. Specifically NorESM2-LM shows a positive LW cloud DuERF attributable to the effect of dust on cirrus clouds. The dust forcing efficiency varies tenfold among models, indicating that uncertainty in DuERF is likely underestimated in AerChemMIP. There is a consistent fast precipitation response associated with dust decreasing the atmospheric radiative cooling (ARC). Models with strongly absorbing dust show reduced precipitation, explainable by decreased clear-sky ARC (up to 3.2 mm/year). In NorESM2-LM the decrease is correlated with the cloudy sky ARC due to increase in cirrus clouds (up to 5.6 mm/year). Together, this suggests that the fast precipitation response induced by dust is significant, comparable to that of anthropogenic black carbon.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

21 Oct 2025
Dust radiative forcing in CMIP6 Earth System models: insights from the AerChemMIP piClim-2xdust experiment
Ove W. Haugvaldstad, Dirk Olivié, Trude Storelvmo, and Michael Schulz
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 13199–13219, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-13199-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-13199-2025, 2025
Short summary
Ove W. Haugvaldstad, Dirk Olivié, Trude Storelvmo, and Michael Schulz

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1030', Anonymous Referee #1, 22 May 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Ove Haugvaldstad, 11 Jul 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1030', Anonymous Referee #2, 29 May 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Ove Haugvaldstad, 11 Jul 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1030', Anonymous Referee #1, 22 May 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Ove Haugvaldstad, 11 Jul 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1030', Anonymous Referee #2, 29 May 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Ove Haugvaldstad, 11 Jul 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Ove Haugvaldstad on behalf of the Authors (11 Jul 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (14 Jul 2025) by Duncan Watson-Parris
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (28 Jul 2025)
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (02 Aug 2025)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (05 Aug 2025) by Duncan Watson-Parris
AR by Ove Haugvaldstad on behalf of the Authors (26 Aug 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (26 Aug 2025) by Duncan Watson-Parris
AR by Ove Haugvaldstad on behalf of the Authors (02 Sep 2025)

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

21 Oct 2025
Dust radiative forcing in CMIP6 Earth System models: insights from the AerChemMIP piClim-2xdust experiment
Ove W. Haugvaldstad, Dirk Olivié, Trude Storelvmo, and Michael Schulz
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 13199–13219, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-13199-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-13199-2025, 2025
Short summary
Ove W. Haugvaldstad, Dirk Olivié, Trude Storelvmo, and Michael Schulz
Ove W. Haugvaldstad, Dirk Olivié, Trude Storelvmo, and Michael Schulz

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Short summary
Our study examine what would happen if desert dust in the atmosphere doubled, motivated by dust sedimentation records showing a large increase in dust levels since industrialization began. Using climate model simulations, we assess how more dust affects Earth's energy balance and rainfall. We found that models disagree on whether more dust overall cools or warms the planet. Additionally, more dust tends to reduce rainfall because it absorbs radiation and encourages the formation of ice clouds.
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