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At least 109 records · Page 6

Examining the self-interaction of dark matter through central cluster galaxy offsets

ABSTRACT While collisionless cold dark matter models have been largely successful in explaining a wide range of observational data, some tensions still exist, and it remains possible that dark matter possesses a non-negligible level of self-interactions. In this paper, we investigate a possible observable consequence of self-interacting dark matter: offsets between the central galaxy and the centre of mass of its parent halo. We examine 23 relaxed galaxy clusters in a redshift range of 0.1–0.3 drawn from clusters in the Dark Energy Survey and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey which have archival Chandra X-ray data of sufficient depth for centre and relaxation determination. We find that most clusters in our sample show non-zero offsets between the X-ray centre, taken to be the centroid within the cluster core, and the central galaxy position. All of the measured offsets are larger, typically by an order of magnitude, than the uncertainty in the X-ray position due to Poisson noise. In all but six clusters, the measured offsets are also larger than the estimated, combined astrometric uncertainties in the X-ray and optical positions. A more conservative cut on concentration to select relaxed clusters marginally reduces but does not eliminate the observed offset. With our more conservative sample, we find an estimated median X-ray to central galaxy offset of $\mu = 6.0 ^{+ 1.4}_{- 1.5}$ kpc. Comparing to recent simulations, this distribution of offsets is consistent with some level of dark matter self-interaction, though further simulation work is needed to place constraints.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A pyroxene-based quantum magnet with multiple magnetization plateaus

Pyroxenes (AMX 2 O 6 ) consisting of infinite one-dimensional edge-sharing MO 6 chains and bridging XO 4 tetrahedra are fertile ground for finding quantum materials. Thus, here, we have studied calcium cobalt germanate (CaCoGe 2 O 6 ) and calcium cobalt silicate (CaCoSi 2 O 6 ) crystals in depth. Heat capacity data show that the spins in both compounds are dominantly Ising-like, even after being manipulated by high magnetic fields. On cooling below the Néel temperatures, a sharp field–induced transition in magnetization is observed for CaCoGe 2 O 6 , while multiple magnetization plateaus beneath the full saturation moment are spotted for CaCoSi 2 O 6 . Our analysis shows that these contrasting behaviors potentially arise from the different electron configurations of germanium and silicon, in which the 3d orbitals are filled in the former but empty in the latter, enabling electron hopping. Thus, silicate tetrahedra can aid the interchain superexchange pathway between cobalt(II) ion centers, while germanate ones tend to block it during magnetization.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

MetaboDirect: an analytical pipeline for the processing of FT-ICR MS-based metabolomic data

Background: Microbiomes are now recognized as the main drivers of ecosystem function ranging from the oceans and soils to humans and bioreactors. However, a grand challenge in microbiome science is to characterize and quantify the chemical currencies of organic matter (i.e., metabolites) that microbes respond to and alter. Critical to this has been the development of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS), which has drastically increased molecular characterization of complex organic matter samples, but challenges users with hundreds of millions of data points where readily available, user-friendly, and customizable software tools are lacking. Results: Here, we build on years of analytical experience with diverse sample types to develop MetaboDirect, an open-source, command-line-based pipeline for the analysis (e.g., chemodiversity analysis, multivariate statistics), visualization (e.g., Van Krevelen diagrams, elemental and molecular class composition plots), and presentation of direct injection high-resolution FT-ICR MS data sets after molecular formula assignment has been performed. When compared to other available FT-ICR MS software, MetaboDirect is superior in that it requires a single line of code to launch a fully automated framework for the generation and visualization of a wide range of plots, with minimal coding experience required. Among the tools evaluated, MetaboDirect is also uniquely able to automatically generate biochemical transformation networks (ab initio) based on mass differences (mass difference network-based approach) that provide an experimental assessment of metabolite connections within a given sample or a complex metabolic system, thereby providing important information about the nature of the samples and the set of microbial reactions or pathways that gave rise to them. Finally, for more experienced users, MetaboDirect allows users to customize plots, outputs, and analyses. Conclusion: Application of MetaboDirect to FT-ICR MS-based metabolomic data sets from a marine phage-bacterial infection experiment and a Sphagnum leachate microbiome incubation experiment showcase the exploration capabilities of the pipeline that will enable the research community to evaluate and interpret their data in greater depth and in less time. It will further advance our knowledge of how microbial communities influence and are influenced by the chemical makeup of the surrounding system. The source code and User’s guide of MetaboDirect are freely available through (https://github.com/Coayala/MetaboDirect) and (https://metabodirect.readthedocs.io/en/latest/), respectively.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Soil C stock and CO2 production data for Soong et al. 2021: Effects of five years of soil warming at Blodgett Forest, CA.

Subsoils below 20 cm are an important reservoir in the global carbon cycle, but little is known about their vulnerability under climate change. We measured subsoil carbon in warmed vs control plots of a conifer forest after 4.5 years of whole-soil warming (4°C). We also measured soil CO2 efflux at the surface and soil CO2 concentrations along the soil profile. Over the 4.5 years we observed that warming resulted in a loss of subsoil carbon stocks (−33 ± 11%), primarily from unprotected particulate organic matter. Warming also stimulated a sustained 30 ± 4% increase in soil CO2 efflux due to increased CO2 production through the whole-soil profile. The observed in situ decline in subsoil carbon stocks with warming is now definitive evidence of a positive soil carbon-climate feedback, which could not be concluded based on increases in CO2 effluxes alone. This dataset comprises (1) 13C and C recovery in 2014, 2016, and 2018 1m soil cores sampled in 10cm increments. (2) Monthly surface CO2 fluxes from 2014 to 2018. (3) Monthly gas well sample [CO2] and production data. And (4) density fraction data for three depths of cores recovered in 2017.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Discrimination of Small Earthquakes and Buried Single-Fired Chemical Explosions at Local Distances (<150 km) in the Western United States from Comparison of Local Magnitude ( M L ) and Coda Duration Magnitude ( M C )

Seismologists distinguish underground nuclear explosions from more commonly occurring earthquakes using moment tensor inversion, high-frequency P/S amplitude ratios, m b :M s comparisons, and P–pP differential travel times. These methods are generally successful for large seismic events (M >3-4) well recorded at regional-to-teleseismic distances (>150 km); however, it is unclear whether they can be modified to work for small events (M <3) well recorded only at local distances (<150 km). Here, we evaluate a recently proposed, local-distance seismic source discriminant—the difference between local magnitude (M L ) and coda duration magnitude (M C )—using seismograms of earthquakes and buried, single-fired chemical explosions recorded in three regions of the western United States. The quantity M L –M C was previously found to be sensitive to source depth, effectively discriminating mine blasts, induced earthquakes, and very shallow tectonic earthquakes from deeper crustal earthquakes. In this study, we report the first evaluation of M L –M C as a depth discriminant using data from buried, single-fired explosions that, unlike the seismic sources studied earlier, are good analogs for underground nuclear explosions. We find that even when using generic, uncalibrated methods of assigning magnitudes, M L –M C separates single-fired explosions and earthquakes. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve is 0.92 for 19 explosions and 14 earthquakes in Washington, 0.90 for 22 explosions and 90 earthquakes in Wyoming, and 0.99 for three explosions and 149 earthquakes in Nevada. Finally, M L :M C comparisons have the potential to enhance discrimination based on high-frequency P/S amplitudes ratios—which perform less well at local than regional distances—because the two metrics have complementary sensitivities.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

TCF Base Technology-Specific: Real-time soil core scanner for carbon and other elements (Final Report)

The aim of this project was to commercialize an instrument that will accurately and precisely measure carbon in soil, providing a breakthrough in scalable soil core analysis and enabling a robust measurement of the total amount of carbon per acre. The instrument will measure the whole soil core, rather than just a few sub-samples, and provide data for carbon depth profiling, as well as other key soil elements such as Al, Si, O, Fe. This instrument will provide faster turnaround times and more precise results than current methods (such as loss on ignition), facilitating the analysis of many soil cores per acre. Ultimately, this will enable farmers to improve their carbon-in-soil content, thus contributing to an improved soil health and product yield. To achieve this goal, we divided the project into three main tasks: 1) commercialization research, 2) technical development, and 3) instrument development, demonstration, and benchmarking.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Hydrological dataset for reservoir sedimentation in Texas

This dataset provides comprehensive hydrological information about reservoir sedimentation in Texas, including observed and remotely sensed sediment concentration, river discharge, watershed boundary, lake geometry, reservoir capacity, land use and land cover (LULC), and population data. In-depth interpretation of the dataset is elaborated in in a journal article, entitled " Sedimentation and nonlinear trapping in Texas reservoirs identified using remote sensing and bathymetric survey records (will be accepted soon at Water Resources Research)."

Lee, Jiyong [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL),↗

EGS Reservoir Modeling for Developing Geothermal District Heating at Cornell University: Preprint

Cornell University is pursuing development of an enhanced geothermal system (EGS) for providing heating to its main campus in Upstate New York. A ~10,000 ft (~3 km) deep vertical observation well ("CUBO") was drilled in 2022 to characterize the subsurface using wellbore logging, borehole imaging, fluid sampling, mini-frac tests, coring and drill cutting analysis. Down-hole temperatures measured at 3 km depth are about 80 degrees C, sufficiently high for direct-use heating. The well drilled through generally low porosity and low permeability Paleozoic sedimentary formations and into metamorphic basement rock, encountered at about 9,400 ft depth. Leveraging subsurface data obtained through CUBO, we investigated technical feasibility and design requirements of a doublet well system with horizontal laterals connected to a fracture network created through hydraulic fracturing. The EGS reservoir is sized to provide a nominal heat output in the range 5 to 10 MWth of continuous heating over a 15 year-lifetime with limited thermal drawdown. We applied the Gringarten Multiple parallel fracture model, the Cornell Discrete Fracture Simulator FOXFEM and the commercial simulator ResFrac to estimate required heat transfer area and design a potential hydraulic stimulation treatment. Reservoir simulations indicate that, depending on fluid flow rate and injection temperature, 2 to 3 km2 of effective fracture heat transfer area is required to supply the target heat output of 5 to 10 MWth over 15 years.

district heating↗

EGS Reservoir Modeling for Developing Geothermal District Heating at Cornell University

Cornell University is pursuing development of an enhanced geothermal system (EGS) for providing heating to its main campus in Upstate New York. A ~10,000 ft (~3 km) deep vertical observation well ('CUBO') was drilled in 2022 to characterize the subsurface using wellbore logging, borehole imaging, fluid sampling, mini-frac tests, coring and drill cutting analysis. Down-hole temperatures measured at 3 km depth are about 80 degrees C, sufficiently high for direct-use heating. The well drilled through generally low porosity and low permeability Paleozoic sedimentary formations and into metamorphic basement rock, encountered at about 9,400 ft depth. Leveraging subsurface data obtained through CUBO, we investigated technical feasibility and design requirements of a doublet well system with horizontal laterals connected to a fracture network created through hydraulic fracturing. The EGS reservoir is sized to provide a nominal heat output in the range 5 to 10 MWth of continuous heating over a 15 year-lifetime with limited thermal drawdown. We applied the Gringarten Multiple parallel fracture model, the Cornell Discrete Fracture Simulator FOXFEM and the commercial simulator ResFrac to estimate required heat transfer area and design a potential hydraulic stimulation treatment. Reservoir simulations indicate that, depending on fluid flow rate and injection temperature, 2 to 3 km2 of effective fracture heat transfer area is required to supply the target heat output of 5 to 10 MWth over 15 years.

district heating↗

The Role of Snowmelt and Subsurface Heterogeneity in Headwater Hydrology of a Mountainous Catchment in Colorado: A Model‐Data Integration Approach

Mountainous headwater streams are sustained by both snowmelt‐driven streamflow and groundwater discharge in the Upper Colorado River Basin. However, predicting headwater stream discharge magnitude and peak flow timing is challenging in mountainous terrains, where snowmelt rates vary with vegetation type and elevation, and heterogeneous subsurface physical properties influence groundwater storage and its release. We used a model‐data integration approach to investigate the roles of snowmelt and subsurface structure in stream discharge and groundwater level. We ran an ensemble of 100 integrated surface‐subsurface hydrologic models for a mountainous headwater catchment near Crested Butte, Colorado, USA. We also evaluated and calibrated these models against observed data sets, including snow depth measurements using distributed temperature probes, stream discharge, and groundwater levels. Calibration with multiple data sources using neural density estimators has further constrained uncertainty in subsurface properties and snowmelt rates. Results indicated that observed slower snowmelt rates in evergreen forests delayed the peak flow and baseflow onset. In upstream areas with lower subsurface permeability, water was stored within the subsurface but was not released as interflow or shallow groundwater flow, and thereby not contributing to downstream streamflow during recession limb periods. Double peaks in groundwater occurred in areas with spatial subsurface heterogeneity, in our case due to the contrast between granodiorite and Mancos shale. These process‐based insights into groundwater and snowmelt dynamics in mountainous headwaters will help improve predictions of headwater hydrology.

Wang, Lijing [University of Connecticut, Storrs, C↗

Data associated with Quaternary Research manuscript Latest Pleistocene glacial chronology and paleoclimate reconstruction for the East River watershed, Colorado, USA

The data here are associated with Quaternary Research manuscript Latest Pleistocene glacial chronology and paleoclimate reconstruction for the East River watershed, Colorado, USA and include data associated with cosmogenic exposure and depth profile dating as well as glacier-climate numerical modeling. Reconstructing Pleistocene glaciation timing and extent is vital for understanding paleoclimate. While late Pleistocene glaciation has been studied extensively in western North American mountain ranges, the glacial history of the western Elk Range in Colorado remains understudied, particularly in the East River watershed, a site of intense scientific focus. Here we use cosmogenic nuclide exposure and depth–profile dating methods to determine the timing of glaciation in the East River watershed. We use glacier modeling to reconstruct paleoglacier extents and quantify past climate conditions. Our findings indicate that the East River glacier retreated from its maximum position approximately 17–18 ka, moving to recessional positions between 13–15 ka, before experiencing more substantial retreat to high-elevation cirques around 12.9 ka. Glacier modeling suggests that the maximum ice extents at 17–18 ka could have been sustained by temperature depressions of approximately −6.5°C compared to modern conditions, assuming consistent precipitation. Additionally, the ice position at 13–15 ka could have been supported by temperature depressions of around −4.0°C. These results offer insights into the deglaciation timeline in the East River watershed and broader western Elk Range as well as paleoclimate conditions during the late Pleistocene, which may aid future research on critical zone evolution in the East River watershed.The data files include: 1. Table 1 In situ-produced 10Be sample data (.pdf, .csv, .xlsx)2. Table 2 In situ-produced 10Be exposure age results (.pdf, .csv, .xlsx)3. S1_A CRONUS calculator input assuming no erosion (.csv)4. S1_B CRONUS calculator input assuming erosion (.csv)5. S1_C CRONUS calculator results and comparison (.csv)6. S2_A In situ-produced 10Be sample data for depth profile (.csv)7. S2_B In situ-produced 10Be depth profile model input (.csv)8. S2_C In situ-produced 10Be depth profile model results (.csv)9. S3 Monthly cloudiness, rH, and windspeed data used in glacier climate model (.csv)10. S4 Glacier climate model results (.csv)

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

The Hubble PanCET Program: A Metal-rich Atmosphere for the Inflated Hot Jupiter HAT-P-41b

We present a comprehensive analysis of the 0.3–5 μm transit spectrum for the inflated hot Jupiter HAT-P-41b. The planet was observed in transit with Hubble STIS and WFC3 as part of the Hubble Panchromatic Comparative Exoplanet Treasury (PanCET) program, and we combine those data with warm Spitzer transit observations. We extract transit depths from each of the data sets, presenting the STIS transit spectrum (0.29–0.93 μm) for the first time. We retrieve the transit spectrum both with a free-chemistry retrieval suite (AURA) and a complementary chemical equilibrium retrieval suite (PLATON) to constrain the atmospheric properties at the day–night terminator. Both methods provide an excellent fit to the observed spectrum. Both AURA and PLATON retrieve a metal-rich atmosphere for almost all model assumptions (most likely O/H ratio of log{sub 10}Z/Z{sub ⊙}=1.46{sub −0.68}{sup +0.53} and log{sub 10}Z/Z{sub ⊙}=2.33{sub −0.25}{sup +0.23}, respectively); this is driven by a 4.9σ detection of H{sub 2}O as well as evidence of gas absorption in the optical (>2.7σ detection) due to Na, AlO, and/or VO/TiO, though no individual species is strongly detected. Both retrievals determine the transit spectrum to be consistent with a clear atmosphere, with no evidence of haze or high-altitude clouds. Interior modeling constraints on the maximum atmospheric metallicity (log{sub 10}Z/Z{sub ⊙}<1.7) favor the AURA results. The inferred elemental oxygen abundance suggests that HAT-P-41b has one of the most metal-rich atmospheres of any hot Jupiters known to date. Overall, the inferred high metallicity and high inflation make HAT-P-41b an interesting test case for planet formation theories.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Forward modeling fluctuations in the DESI LRGs target sample using image simulations

We use the forward modeling pipeline, Obiwan, to study the imaging systematics of the Luminous Red Galaxies (LRGs) targeted by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). Imaging systematics refers to the false fluctuation of galaxy densities due to varying observing conditions and astrophysical foregrounds corresponding to the imaging surveys from which DESI LRG target galaxies are selected. We update the Obiwan pipeline, which we previously developed to simulate the optical images used to target DESI data, to further simulate WISE images in the infrared. This addition allows simulating the DESI LRGs sample, which utilizes WISE data in the target selection. Deep DESI imaging data combined with a method to account for biases in their shapes is used to define a truth sample of potential LRG targets. We inject these data evenly throughout the DESI Legacy Imaging Survey footprint at declinations between -30 and 32.375 degrees. We simulate a total of 15 million galaxies to obtain a simulated LRG sample (Obiwan LRGs) that predicts the variations in target density due to imaging properties. We find that the simulations predict the trends with depth observed in the data, including how they depend on the intrinsic brightness of the galaxies. We observe that faint LRGs are the main contributing source of the imaging systematics trend induced by depth. We also find significant trends in the data against Galactic extinction that are not predicted by Obiwan. These trends depend strongly on the particular map of Galactic extinction chosen to test against, implying systematic contamination in the Galactic extinction maps is a likely root cause (e.g., Cosmic-Infrared Background, dust temperature correction). We additionally observe a morphological change of the DESI LRGs population evidenced by a correlation between OII emission line average intensity and the size of the z-band PSF. This effect most likely results from uncertainties in background subtraction. The detailed findings we present should be used to guide any observational systematics mitigation treatment for the clustering of the DESI LRGs sample.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Subsurface Flow Across Polygonal Tundra Measured by Bromide Tracer, Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska, 2015-2016

A bromide tracer study with the primary focus on hydrology in the active layer of polygonal tundra in the Barrow Environmental Observatory in Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska from July 2015 to September 2016. Sampling devices placed at various depths in the polygon centers, rims, and troughs were used to monitor tracer concentrations during thaw seasons. The tracer was continually monitored simultaneously on a low- and high-centered polygon throughout thaw seasons. Included is one data file of the bromide tracer concentrations. Also included are measurements taken throughout the experiment - one data file each of frost table depth and precipitation; and twelve water table elevation data files. Water level data, meteorological data, and thaw depth measurements were taken throughout the experiment. Our approach permits a comparison of hydrological behaviors in low- and high-centered polygons over the same time period and meteorological conditions.The Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiments: Arctic (NGEE Arctic), was a 10-year research effort (2012-2022) to reduce uncertainty in Earth System Models by developing a predictive understanding of carbon-rich Arctic ecosystems and feedbacks to climate. NGEE Arctic was supported by the Department of Energy's Office of Biological and Environmental Research.The NGEE Arctic project had two field research sites: 1) located within the Arctic polygonal tundra coastal region on the Barrow Environmental Observatory (BEO) and the North Slope near Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska and 2) multiple areas on the discontinuous permafrost region of the Seward Peninsula north of Nome, Alaska.Through observations, experiments, and synthesis with existing datasets, NGEE Arctic provided an enhanced knowledge base for multi-scale modeling and contributed to improved process representation at global pan-Arctic scales within the Department of Energy's Earth system Model (the Energy Exascale Earth System Model, or E3SM), and specifically within the E3SM Land Model component (ELM).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Utah FORGE: Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) Data

The FORGE team is making these fracture models available to researchers wanting a set of natural fractures in the FORGE reservoir for use in their own modeling work. They have been used to predict stimulation distances during hydraulic stimulation at the open toe section of well 16A(78)-32. These fracture sets are fully stochastic and do not contain the deterministic set that matches the pilot well 58-32 FMI data. Well 58-32 has been completed and 16A(78)-32 is to be drilled as part of Phase 3. The original .fab files are not included due to redundancy. The *.fabgz data for the 800m and 1200m depth areas are in the native FracMan format and have been compressed using Gzip. Filtered data for the 800m depth area includes .csv spreadsheets, native FracMan (.fab), and GOCAD (.ts) files that are in a compressed zip format. The file titled "SGW 2020 Finnila and Podgorney DFN fracture files on GDR.pdf" is a description of the data and should be reviewed prior to data use.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Projecting Permafrost Thaw of Sub-Arctic Tundra With a Thermodynamic Model Calibrated to Site Measurements

Northern circumpolar permafrost thaw affects global carbon cycling, as large amounts of stored soil carbon becomes accessible to microbial breakdown under a warming climate. The magnitude of carbon release is linked to the extent of permafrost thaw, which is locally variable and controlled by soil thermodynamics. Soil thermodynamic properties, such as thermal diffusivity, govern the reactivity of the soil-atmosphere thermal gradient, and are controlled by soil composition and drainage. In order to project permafrost thaw for an Alaskan tundra experimental site, we used seven years of site data to calibrate a soil thermodynamic model using a data assimilation technique. The model reproduced seasonal and interannual temperature dynamics for shallow (5–40 cm) and deep soil layers (2–4 m), and simulations of seasonal thaw depth closely matched observed data. The model was then used to project permafrost thaw at the site to the year 2100 using climate forcing data for three future climate scenarios (RCP 4.5, 6.0, and 8.5). Minimal permafrost thawing occurred until mean annual air temperatures rose above the freezing point, after which we measured over a 1 m increase in thaw depth for every 1 °C rise in mean annual air temperature. Under no projected warming scenario was permafrost remaining in the upper 3 m of soil by 2100. We demonstrated an effective data assimilation method that optimizes parameterization of a soil thermodynamic model. The sensitivity of local permafrost to climate warming illustrates the vulnerability of sub-Arctic tundra ecosystems to significant and rapid soil thawing.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Heat Flow on the U.S. Beaufort Margin, Arctic Ocean: Implications for Ocean Warming, Methane Hydrate Stability, and Regional Tectonics

The Arctic Ocean represents one of the last geological frontiers on Earth. The formation of the Arctic Ocean remains unclear, and although it is well understood that the Arctic surface temperature is warming at a rate approximately twice as fast as the rest of the Earth, it is unclear how deep Arctic Ocean temperatures are changing. Understanding whether deep Arctic Ocean water is warming is important, since it can lead to the breakdown and release of huge quantities of frozen methane molecules trapped below the Arctic seafloor, which can increase ocean acidity and destabilize the seafloor. To understand both Arctic Ocean temperature change and geologic evolution, we collected temperature measurements at 103 sites. These measurements tell us how temperature increases with depth below the seafloor and can be used to understand both ocean temperature change and regional geology. Analysis of our data shows that at depths of 300–900 m below sea level, the Arctic Ocean has been warming steadily for perhaps several decades—nearly twice as deep as previous studies suggest. At ocean depths greater than 1,000 m, our analysis also reveals surprisingly high temperature increases with depth in the seafloor. The cause of these significant increases is unclear.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Impact on cloud properties of reduced-sulphur shipping fuel in the Eastern North Atlantic

The global reduction in shipping fuel sulphur that culminated in 2020 with an ∼ 80 % reduction has created a large-scale natural experiment on the role of aerosol-cloud interaction (ACI) in the climate system. We compare observations from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement program's Eastern North Atlantic site (ARM-ENA; 39.1° N, 28.0° W) during two June to September periods: 2016–2018 (pre-2020) and 2021–2023 (post-2020). We find a significant (∼ 15 %) decrease in cloud condensation nuclei concentrations post-2020, which resulted in a decrease in cloud droplet number (N d ) and an increase in effective radius (r e ) of marine boundary layer clouds. However, cloud liquid water path (LWP) increased post-2020. The increase in LWP offset the increase in r e , resulting in insignificant changes to optical depth. MODIS and CERES data in the vicinity of ENA during these periods produce similar results also with negligible change in albedo and optical depth. Regional cloud occurrence declined in line with changes in the large-scale meteorology. Our results highlight the complex interplay of factors that modulate cloud feedbacks in the Eastern North Atlantic.

Mace, Gerald G. [Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT↗