Atmosphere: Aerosols, climate, and the hydrological cycle

V. Ramanathan*, P. J. Crutzen, J. T. Kiehl, D. Rosenfeld

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

3189 Scopus citations

Abstract

Human activities are releasing tiny particles (aerosols) into the atmosphere. These human-made aerosols enhance scattering and absorption of solar radiation. They also produce brighter clouds that are less efficient at releasing precipitation. These in turn lead to large reductions in the amount of solar irradiance reaching Earth's surface, a corresponding increase in solar heating of the atmosphere, changes in the atmospheric temperature structure, suppression of rainfall, and less efficient removal of pollutants. These aerosol effects can lead to a weaker hydrological cycle, which connects directly to availability and quality of fresh water, a major environmental issue of the 21st century.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2119-2124
Number of pages6
JournalScience
Volume294
Issue number5549
DOIs
StatePublished - 7 Dec 2001
Externally publishedYes

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