The Change in Earth-Atmosphere Albedo and Radiational Equilibrium Temperatures due to Stratospheric Pollution

Abstract

The changes in the earth-atmosphere albedo and radiative equilibrium temperature due to perturbations in the solar radiative balance are investigated. The perturbations are induced through the introduction of varying amounts of aerosols into the stratospheric layer between 15 and 25 km. Results are presented graphically as a function of latitude and season for a range of aerosol absorption coefficients and for a specific aerosol composed of a 75% sulphuric acid solution. These results indicate that such aerosol perturbations on the solar energy field result in larger albedo and radiative equilibrium changes in polar latitudes than in middle or tropical latitudes.