Pyrocumulonimbus affect average stratospheric aerosol composition

• DOI: 10.1126/science.add3101
• Publication Date: 2023-03-01T20:19:28Z
• Authors: J. M. Katich; E. C. Apel; I. Bourgeois; C. A. Brock; T. P. Bui; P. Campuzano-Jost; R. Commane; B. Daube; M. Dollner; M. Fromm; K. D. Froyd; A. J. Hills; R. S. Hornbrook; J. L. Jimenez; A. Kupc; K. D. Lamb; K. McKain; F. Moore; D. M. Murphy; B. A. Nault; J. Peischl; A. E. Perring; D. A. Peterson; E. A. Ray; K. H. Rosenlof; T. Ryerson; G. P. Schill; J. C. Schroder; B. Weinzierl; C. Thompson; C. J. Williamson; S. C. Wofsy; P. Yu; J. P. Schwarz
• Keywords: 13. Climate action; 103037 Environmental physics; SDG 13 – Maßnahmen zum Klimaschutz; SDG 13 - Climate Action; 103039 Aerosol physics; 103039 Aerosolphysik; 103037 Umweltphysik

Pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCb) are wildfire-generated convective clouds that can inject smoke directly into the stratosphere. PyroCb have been tracked for years, yet their apparent rarity and episodic nature lead to highly uncertain climate impacts. In situ measurements of pyroCb reveal its distinctive exceptionally stable aerosol properties define long-term influence activity on stratospheric budget. Analysis 13 years airborne observations shows responsible 10 25% black carbon organic aerosols in "present-day" lower stratosphere, with similar impacts both North South Hemispheres. These results suggest that, should increase frequency and/or magnitude future climates, they could generate dominant trends aerosol.