Aerosol-Cloud-Rainfall interactions over Emission Source regions (ACRES)

• Applicant: Dr. Ribu Cherian, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Atmospheric Science
• Term: from 2017 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 348270189

Aerosol-cloud interactions are one of the key factors influencing cloud properties andcirculation patterns and thereby rainfall, but also constitute the largest uncertainty in climate change forcing (Quaas et al., 2009; Boucher et al., 2013). The quantification of aerosol-cloud interactions, their radiative effects and their influence on circulation and rainfall continues to be a challenge. The present study aims to improve the scientific understanding of the influence of short-lived anthropogenic aerosols on clouds and radiation over different major emission source regions. In ACRES, I propose to (i) understand the influence of anthropogenic aerosol emission trends on regional cloud radiative effects, (ii) verify how well current climate models representthe observed regional trends in aerosol-, cloud- and rainfall quantities, (iii) understand the role of anthropogenic aerosol emission trends and consequent radiative effect trends in modulating circulation patterns, and (iv) assess whether aerosol emission trends play a role for changes in the observed extreme rainfall events over Asia.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants