Role of Graphitic Carbon Particles in Radiative Transfer in the Arctic Haze

摘要

Large concentrations of combustion-generated graphitic carbon particles have been identified at ground level and at altitude in the Arctic atmosphere. Concentrations of these particles during certain times of year and at certain altitudes are comparable to those in urban centers in the United States. These graphitic particles, which have a structure similar to carbon black, have been identified on a molecular level using Raman spectroscopy at sites in the Alaskan, Canadian, and Norwegian Arctic. The black particles are very effective absorbers of solar radiation and can lead to significant heating effects, depending primarily on their distribution in time and space. Recent measurements from an airplane indicate that high concentrations of graphitic particles occur throughout the Arctic troposphere, and at certain altitudes the concentrations can be significantly higher than at ground level. The implications of these results to radiative transfer will be discussed. 23 references. (ERA citation 09:001194)