MARATTO

peer review

Comment on egusphere-2025-5950

Abstract

<strong class="journal-contentHeaderColor">Abstract.</strong> This study uses multiple observational networks, utilizing sunshine duration as a proxy for broadband AOD (BAOD) from 2700 sites across the world, to reconstruct BAOD trends since the late 19th century. The findings include a general trend toward cleaner atmospheres at most European sites during both the 1900&ndash;1925 and 1926&ndash;1959 periods, amounting to regional trends of &ndash;0.014&nbsp;decade<sup>&ndash;1</sup> and &ndash;0.004&nbsp;decade<sup>&ndash;1</sup>, respectively. Aerosol concentrations are found to increase at only a few stations, likely because of local industrialization. Conversely, during the 1960&ndash;1985 period, the analysis, underscores the role of anthropogenic aerosols in the dimming observed across Europe (0.004&nbsp;decade<sup>&ndash;1</sup>), as well as the modulating relevance of volcanic aerosols. A continuous increase in BAOD is also observed over Southeast Brazil during 1960&ndash;1985, with a noticeable higher rate of 0.015&nbsp;decade<sup>&ndash;1</sup>, which is approximately four times as large as that found in Europe. At the same time, Japan experienced a notable decrease in BAOD with a rate of &ndash;0.015&nbsp;decade<sup>&ndash;1</sup>, owing to stringent environmental regulations implemented between 1960 and 1985. Meanwhile, Oceania exhibited a modest negative trend of &ndash;0.004&nbsp;decade<sup>&ndash;1</sup> during that period. During the 1986&ndash;2015 period, commonly referred to as &ldquo;brightening phase&rdquo;, a general decline of annual BAOD is observed in each studied region: higher rate of decreasing aerosol load in Southeast Brazil, Japan, and Europe by &ndash;0.010&nbsp;decade<sup>&ndash;1</sup>, &ndash;0.015&nbsp;decade<sup>&ndash;1</sup>, and &ndash;0.013&nbsp;decade<sup>&ndash;1</sup>, respectively, compared to much the lower rate of &ndash;0.003&nbsp;decade<sup>&ndash;1</sup> over Oceania.

Read the original research

This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.

DOI: 10.5194/egusphere-2025-5950-rc1

Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.

Discussion

Discuss this research

Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.

No discussion yet. Open the first thread.