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Science 29 May 1992:
Vol. 256. no. 5061, pp. 1311 - 1313
DOI: 10.1126/science.256.5061.1311
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Articles

Natural Versus Anthropogenic Factors Affecting Low-Level Cloud Albedo over the North Atlantic

Paul G. Falkowski 1, Yongseung Kim 2, Zbigniew Kolber 1, Cara Wilson 1, Creighton Wirick 1, and Robert Cess 2

1 Oceanographic and Atmospheric Sciences Division, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973
2 Institute for Terrestrial and Planetary Atmospheres, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY 11794

Cloud albedo plays a key role in regulating Earth's climate. Cloud albedo depends on column-integrated liquid water content and the density of cloud condensation nuclei, which consists primarily of submicrometer-sized aerosol sulfate particles. A comparison of two independent satellite data sets suggests that, although anthropogenic sulfate emissions may enhance cloud albedo immediately adjacent to the east coast of the United States, over the central North Atlantic Ocean the variability in albedo can be largely accounted for by natural marine and atmospheric processes that probably have remained relatively constant since the beginning of the industrial revolution.

Submitted on December 11, 1991
Accepted on March 23, 1992


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
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