Humidity effects on the radiative properties of a hazy atmosphere in the visible spectrum

The present investigation deals with the humidity effect on the radiative properties of a strongly polluted atmosphere in the visible spectrum. For three relative humidity distributions covering the tropospheric humidity range from 30–70%, the local albedo, the absorption and transmission of the atmosphere are obtained. Corresponding global quantities are calculated also to speculate on possible climatic effects. Additionally, radiative heating rates are calculated for the entire atmosphere, but it is found that within the humidity range of the adopted distribution, the humidity effect is entirely negligible. Most significantly influenced by the humidity are local and global albedo and transmission of the atmosphere.