Publications

Li, ZP; Huang, ZW; Bi, JR; Dong, QQ; Wang, YK; Abdullaev, SF; Nozirov, D; Li, WR; Li, Z; Meng, ZZ; Liu, WT; Song, XD (2025). Radiative forcing and vertical heating rate of dust aerosols in southwestern Tajikistan during summer 2023. ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT, 345, 121051.

Abstract
The radiative effects of dust aerosol are essential for understanding the thermal and dynamic structure of the atmosphere, along with the energy balance of the Earth's atmospheric system. This study assessed the radiative forcing and vertical heating rate of dust aerosols at Shaartuz, Tajikistan, during the summer of 2023, utilizing data from the sun sky lunar photometer, lidar, and a radiative transfer model. The results indicated that the daily average shortwave radiative forcings of dust aerosols were-32.0 W m- 2 at the surface and 30.5 W m- 2 in the atmosphere during heavy dust conditions, which were roughly three times greater than those observed with light dust. The daily averages of longwave radiative heating at the surface compensated for 34.2%, 39.0%, and 43.1% of shortwave cooling under light, moderate, and heavy dust conditions, respectively. The net radiative forcing efficiencies (NRFE) were-30.2, 42.5, and 12.3 W m- 2 AOD-1 at the surface, in the atmosphere, and at the top of the atmosphere (TOA), respectively. The maximum shortwave heating rates (SHR) of dust aerosols below 500 m were 0.7, 1.1, and 2.1 K day- 1 for light, moderate, and heavy dust conditions, respectively. Under conditions of heavy dust presence, the SHR attained 1.7 K day- 1 at an altitude of 3 km, resulting in alterations to the initial thermal configuration of the atmosphere and surface temperature. The maximum surface temperature recorded in heavy dust conditions was 8.6 degrees C (5.9 degrees C) lower than the temperatures observed in light dust (moderate dust) conditions. The results contribute to a deeper comprehension of how dust aerosols influence the radiation budget within the Earth's atmospheric system in Central Asia.

DOI:
10.1016/j.atmosenv.2025.121051

ISSN:
1873-2844