Evolution of Aerosol Radiative Forcing in Beijing (China)

The seasonal cycles of aerosol optical depth measurements, volume size distribution, aerosol radiative forcing, and single scattering albedo obtained from the AERONET network in Beijing city (China) for the period 2008–2018 were studied, showing the variation of aerosol optical depth in the interval (0.55–0.87) which represents permanent high values that exceed the air quality threshold defined by the World Health Organization. The maximum value was recorded in 2011. Aerosol radiative forcing is relatively variable and registers a mean value of −78.1 W/m² at the surface, and close to −32.55 W/m² at the top of the atmosphere. This implies a warming tendency of the atmospheric corresponding column. The anthropogenic aerosol is a part of the combustion process and contributes significantly to absorbing visible solar radiation and affecting the thermal structure of the atmosphere.