The signal of aerosol-induced changes in sunshine duration records: A review of the evidence

Aerosols play a significant yet complex and central role in the Earth's radiation budget, and knowledge of long‐term changes in the atmospheric turbidity induced by aerosols is therefore fundamental for a better understanding of climate change. However, there is little available information on...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of geophysical research. Atmospheres 2014-04, Vol.119 (8), p.4657-4673
Main Authors: Sanchez-Romero, A, Sanchez-Lorenzo, A, Calbo, J, Gonzalez, J A, Azorin-Molina, C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerosol proxy
Aerosols
Atmospheres
Atmospheric aerosol
Atmospheric aerosols
Atmospherics
Canvis climàtics
Climate change
Climatic changes
Dating techniques
Dimming & Brightening
Earth radiation budget
Geophysics
Radiació solar
Recorders
Solar radiation
Sunshine duration
Time series
Turbidity
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Summary:Aerosols play a significant yet complex and central role in the Earth's radiation budget, and knowledge of long‐term changes in the atmospheric turbidity induced by aerosols is therefore fundamental for a better understanding of climate change. However, there is little available information on changes in aerosol concentration in the atmosphere, especially prior to the 1980s. The present paper reviews publications reporting the suitability of sunshine duration records with regard to detecting changes in atmospheric aerosols. Some of the studies reviewed propose methods for estimating aerosol‐related magnitudes, such as turbidity, from sunshine deficit at approximately sunrise and sunset, when the impact of aerosols on the solar beam is more easily observed. In addition, there is abundant evidence that one cause of the decadal changes observed in sunshine duration records involves variations in atmospheric aerosol loading. Possible directions for future research are also suggested: in particular, detailed studies of the burn (not only its length but also its width) registered by means of Campbell‐Stokes sunshine recorders may provide a way of creating time series of atmospheric aerosol loading metrics dating back to over 120 years from the present. Key Points Sunshine records suitability to detect atmospheric aerosol is reviewed Despite short comings of the data, aerosol effect on sunshine is evident Possible directions for future research are highlighted
ISSN:2169-897X
2169-8996
DOI:10.1002/2013JD021393