Articles | Volume 25, issue 20
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-13547-2025
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-13547-2025
Research article
 | 
23 Oct 2025
Research article |  | 23 Oct 2025

Global modeling of brown carbon: impact of temperature- and humidity-dependent bleaching

Xinchun Xie, Yuzhong Zhang, Ruosi Liang, and Xuan Wang

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Cited articles

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Burke, M., Childs, M. L., de la Cuesta, B., Qiu, M., Li, J., Gould, C. F., Heft-Neal, S., and Wara, M.: The contribution of wildfire to PM2.5 trends in the USA, Nature, 622, 761–766, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06522-6, 2023. 
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Short summary
Brown carbon (BrC), mainly from biomass burning, absorbs short-wavelength sunlight and affects climate and atmospheric chemistry. This study implemented an improved parameterization of BrC bleaching in a model with which BrC can survive much longer in cold, dry air, especially when lofted into the upper atmosphere by wildfires. The results reveal stronger warming effects and impacts on atmospheric oxidation, highlighting the need to consider BrC in climate and pollution control strategies.
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