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Radiative impact of aerosols generated from biomass burningAtmospheric aerosol particles play a vital role in the Earth's radiative energy budget. They exert a net cooling influence on climate by directly reflecting the solar radiation to space and by modifying the shortwave reflective properties of clouds. Each year, increasing amounts of aerosol particles are released into the atmosphere due to biomass burning, dust storms, forest fires, and volcanic activity. These particles significantly perturb the radiative balance on local, regional, and global scales. While the detection of aerosols over water is a well established procedure, the detection of aerosols over land is often difficult due to the poor contrast between the aerosols and the underlying terrain. In this study, we use textural measures in order to detect aerosols generated from biomass burning over South America, using AVHRR data. The regional radiative effects are then examined using ERBE data. Preliminary results show that the net radiative forcing of aerosols is about -36 W/sq m.
Document ID
19960016106
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Christopher, Sundar A.
(South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City, SD United States)
Vulcan, Donna V.
(South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City, SD United States)
Welch, Ronald M.
(South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City, SD United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1995
Publication Information
ISSN: 7803-2567
Subject Category
Environment Pollution
Report/Patent Number
NASA-CR-200099
NAS 1.26:200099
Accession Number
96N22144
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGw-3740
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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