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Effects of aerosols on climate

Spokesperson: Dr. Johannes Hendricks

Atmospheric aerosols play a crucial role in the climate system. By scattering, absorption and re-emission of radiation they have a direct effect on the energy budget of the Earth’s atmosphere. In addition, aerosols indirectly impact the climate by modifying the properties of clouds and their radiative effects. Despite their potentially large relevance, aerosols still pose one of the largest uncertainties in our understanding of climate change. The aim of the matrix group is to bundle the various methodical capacities of the institute to advance our understanding of aerosol effects on climate.

Our aerosol research benefits from a high methodical potential and large synergies resulting from our broad spectrum of methods including:

• Aircraft-based in-situ measurements
• Different remote sensing techniques ranging from aircraft- and surface-based Lidar observations to satellite-based remote sensing
• Global, regional, and process modelling of atmospheric aerosols and their various effects

Our research is embedded in the DLR-programmes on aeronautics, space, and transport. It addresses a wide spectrum of different subjects covering:

• the characterization of the microphysical, chemical, and optical properties of atmospheric aerosols as well as their spatial distribution and temporal variation
• the analysis of the effects of natural and anthropogenic aerosols on atmospheric composition and climate
• targeted investigations on aerosol particles from the emissions of aviation, land-based transport, and shipping and their roles in climate change