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Atmospheric Aerosols’ Scattering and Absorption Mechanisms, and their Impacts on the Environment: A Review

Robert, James James, Nwibani, Bariyirasi, Leelee, Igbo, Nkechinyere E.

Abstract

This review focuses on aerosol scattering and absorption mechanisms, the influence of atmospheric aerosols on solar radiation transmission, and how aerosol concentration, composition, and optical properties affect the environment, weather patterns, climate, and energy systems. Aerosols, whether originating from natural sources such as dust, sea spray, and volcanic eruption, or from human activities such as combustion of fossil fuel, industrial emissions, and biomass burning, play a pivotal role in regulating the passage of solar radiation through the atmosphere to the Earth’s surface. By scattering and absorbing solar radiation, aerosols influence surface irradiance, atmospheric heating, and cloud formation, with direct consequences for regional climate patterns and solar energy utilization. Reduced surface irradiance due to aerosols scattering will continue to affect photovoltaic energy generation, photosynthetic activity in vegetation, surface temperature regulation, if those human activities that contribute to the release of aerosol particles into the Earth’s atmosphere remain unabated.

Keywords

AerosolScatteringAbsorptionSolar RadiationImpactsEnvironment

References

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