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Radiative effects of tropospheric ionisation
- Source :
- Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions, European Geosciences Union, 2003, 3 (3), pp.3205-3221
- Publication Year :
- 2003
- Publisher :
- HAL CCSD, 2003.
-
Abstract
- International audience; Despite the increasing evidence that cosmic ray variations may influence clouds and climate, there has been little discussion of the direct radiative effects of atmospheric ionisation. Laboratory experiments show that hydrated molecular cluster-ions, formed in the atmosphere by cosmic rays, absorb in the infra-red continuum at wavelengths of 9?12 ?m. The tropospheric magnitude of this effect is estimated: transmittance anomalies from clear sky ion concentrations peak at ~2% at 10 km in the mid-latitudes. A simple isothermal clear sky atmospheric model suggests the integrated effect of the absorption is ~2 Wm?2. The effect appears detectable in existing surface data sets; surface micrometeorological data shows a significant anticorrelation between downwelling infra-red radiation and atmospheric cosmic ray ionisation. This is consistent with the infra-red attenuation observed in laboratory studies of cluster-ion absorption. If atmospheric ionisation from cosmic rays has universally direct radiative effects, then reinterpretation of satellite cloud data may be necessary.
- Subjects :
- [SDU.OCEAN]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Ocean, Atmosphere
[SDU.OCEAN] Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Ocean, Atmosphere
Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Astrophysics::Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics
Physics::Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics
Astrophysics::Galaxy Astrophysics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 16807367 and 16807375
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions, European Geosciences Union, 2003, 3 (3), pp.3205-3221
- Accession number :
- edsair.dedup.wf.001..1037865912d1f7a75a346c28ecf40c5d