Impacts of aerosol-radiation-cloud interactions on weather and air quality

嚴鴻霖教授

China has a substantial amount of emissions, significant trans-boundary pollution, unique climate characteristics, complex natural topography and a large population. Its high anthropogenic emissions cause particulate air pollution and consequent adverse public health problems. Secondary aerosol that forms in the atmosphere is highly non-linear due to its dependence on climate, atmospheric stability and composition, and therefore our understanding of its formation and interactions with climate is still very limited, despite its significant impact on climate. While mitigating air pollution, emission control policies may at the same time influence climate, which may in turn impact on air quality and hence the policies’ effectiveness. However, only a few studies have investigated the climate implications of air quality policies. These raise a number of research questions of how aerosol affects the climate and air quality in regions with special topographical, economic and climatic features, and the implications on future air quality projection and formulation of co-benefit strategies. This study intends to advance our knowledge of the impacts of aerosols on regional climate and air quality. For this purpose, the project will advance and use a state-of-the-science atmospheric model to characterize and quantify these impacts. This project will comprehensively advance the knowledge of the impacts of aerosols on regional climate and air quality, and thus provide important information for the processes in making a policy to achieve co-benefit in controlling air pollution and in mitigating climate change.