Aerosol-induced thermal effects increase modelled terrestrial photosynthesis and transpiration

Allison L. Steiner; W. L. Chameides

doi:10.3402/tellusb.v57i5.16559

Aerosol-induced thermal effects increase modelled terrestrial photosynthesis and transpiration

Tellus B: Chemical and Physical Meteorology

Volume 57 (2005): Issue 5

By: Allison L. Steiner and W. L. Chameides

Open Access

|Jan 2005

Abstract

Previous studies suggest that the radiative effects of atmospheric aerosols (reducing total radiation while increasing thediffuse fraction) can enhance terrestrial productivity. Here, simulations using a regional climate/terrestrial biospheremodel suggest that atmospheric aerosols could also enhance terrestrial photosynthesis and transpiration through aninteraction between solar radiation, leaf temperature and stomatal conductance. During midday, clear-sky conditions, sunlit-leaf temperatures can exceed the optimum for photosynthesis, depressing both photosynthesis and transpiration.Aerosols decrease surface solar radiation, thereby reducing leaf temperatures and enhancing sunlit-leaf photosynthesisand transpiration. This modelling study finds that, under certain conditions, this thermal response of aerosols can havea greater impact on photosynthesis and transpiration than the radiative response. This implies that a full understandingof the impact of aerosols on climate and the global carbon cycle requires consideration of the biophysical responses ofterrestrial vegetation as well as atmospheric radiative and thermodynamic effects.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3402/tellusb.v57i5.16559 | Journal eISSN: 1600-0889

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Language: English

Page range: 404 - 411

Submitted on: Jul 12, 2004

Accepted on: Apr 14, 2005

Published on: Jan 1, 2005

Published by: Stockholm University Press

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

© 2005 Allison L. Steiner, W. L. Chameides, published by Stockholm University Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 57 (2005): Issue 5