Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2075
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2075
05 Jun 2025
 | 05 Jun 2025

Impact on Cloud Properties of Reduced-Sulphur Shipping Fuel in the Eastern North Atlantic

Gerald G. Mace, Sally Benson, Peter Gombert, and Tiffany Smallwood

Abstract. The global reduction in shipping fuel sulphur that culminated in 2020 with an ~80 % reduction has enabled an inadvertent experiment on the role of aerosol-cloud interaction (ACI) in the climate system. We compare observations collected at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement program's (ARM) Eastern North Atlantic site (ARM-ENA, 39.1 N, 28.0 W) during two June to September periods: 2016–2018 (pre-2020) and 2021–2023 (post-2020). We find a significant (~15 %) decrease in cloud condensation nuclei concentrations post-2020, which resulted in a decrease in cloud droplet number (Nd) and an increase in effective radius (re) of marine boundary layer clouds. However, cloud liquid water path (LWP) increased post-2020. The increase in LWP offset the increase in re, resulting in insignificant changes to the optical depth distribution. MODIS and CERES data in the vicinity of ENA during these periods produce similar results also with negligible change in the albedo and optical depth distributions. Regional cloud occurrence declined in line with changes in the large-scale meteorology. Our results point to a complicated interplay among the factors that modulate cloud feedback in the Eastern North Atlantic.

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Gerald G. Mace, Sally Benson, Peter Gombert, and Tiffany Smallwood

Status: closed (peer review stopped)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-2075', Anonymous Referee #1, 26 Jun 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-2075', Mark Miller, 03 Jul 2025

Status: closed (peer review stopped)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-2075', Anonymous Referee #1, 26 Jun 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-2075', Mark Miller, 03 Jul 2025
Gerald G. Mace, Sally Benson, Peter Gombert, and Tiffany Smallwood

Data sets

Microwave Radiometer, 3 Channel (MWR3C) M. Cadeddu et al. https://doi.org/10.5439/1025248

Ka ARM Zenith Radar (KAZR2CFRGE) Y.-C. Feng et al. https://doi.org/10.5439/1891991

Balloon-Borne Sounding System (SONDEWNPN) E. Keeler et al. https://doi.org/10.5439/1595321

Cloud Condensation Nuclei Particle Counter (AOSCCN2COLASPECTRA). A. Koontz et al. https://doi.org/10.5439/1786358

Micropulse Lidar (MPLPOLFS) P. Muradyan et al. https://doi.org/10.5439/1320657

MODIS atmosphere L2 cloud product (06_L2), Terra, NASA MODIS Adaptive Processing System S. Platnick et al. https://doi.org/10.5067/MODIS/MOD06_L2.006

NASA/LARC/SD/ASDC. (2014). CERES Single Scanner Footprint (SSF) TOA/Surface Fluxes, Clouds and Aerosols Terra-FM2 Edition4A NASA Langley Atmospheric Science Data Center DAAC https://doi.org/10.5067/TERRA/CERES/SSF-FM2_L2.004A

NASA/LARC/SD/ASDC. (2014). CERES Single Scanner Footprint (SSF) TOA/Surface Fluxes, Clouds and Aerosols Aqua-FM3 Edition4A NASA Langley Atmospheric Science Data Center DAAC https://doi.org/10.5067/AQUA/CERES/SSF-FM3_L2.004A

Gerald G. Mace, Sally Benson, Peter Gombert, and Tiffany Smallwood

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Short summary
The amount of sunlight reflected by marine boundary layer clouds in the Eastern North Atlantic do not change due to a decrease in aerosol caused by reduced sulphur in shipping fuel because adjustments to liquid water path offset the decease in cloud droplet number concentration.
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