Possible warming effect of fine particulate matter in the atmosphere

Particulate matter emitted through human activities not only pollutes the air, but also cools the Earth by scattering shortwave solar radiation. However, coarser dust particles have been found to exert a warming effect that could, to some extent compensate for the cooling effect of fine dust. Here we investigate the radiative effects of sulfate containing aerosols of various sizes and core/shell structures using Mie scattering and three-dimensional finite difference time domain simulations of the electromagnetic fields inside and around particulate matter particles. We find that not only coarse dust, but also fine non-light-absorbing inorganic aerosols such as sulfate can have a warming effect. Specifically, although the opacity of fine particles decreases at longer wavelengths, they can strongly absorb and re-emit thermal radiation under resonance conditions at long wavelength. We suggest that these effects need to be taken into account when assessing the contribution of aerosols to climate change. Fine particulate matter in the atmosphere can absorb and re-emit thermal radiation under resonance conditions at long wavelengths and thereby warm the atmosphere, according to an analysis of sulfate containing aerosols with a core/shell structure.

Automated summary

Studies show that fine particles may decrease in opacity at longer wavelengths, but they can strongly absorb and re-emit thermal radiation under resonance conditions at long wavelengths, affecting the climate.