Effect of Vertical Profile of Aerosols on the Local Shortwave Radiative Forcing Estimation

In this work, the effect of aerosol vertical distribution on local shortwave radiative forcing is studied. We computed at top and bottom atmosphere between 0.2 4 microns using libRadTran package compared results with those provided by AERONET (AErosol RObotic NETwork). Lidar measurements were employed to characterize profile, collocated optical parameters required calculate its forcing. A good correlation calculated forcings provide AERONET, differences smaller than 1 W m?2 (15% estimated forcing), obtained when a gaussian profile assumed. Notwithstanding, measured inserted into model, can vary up 6.54 (15%), mean = ?0.74 ± 3.06 BOA ?3.69 (13%), ?0.27 1.32 TOA due multiple layers types. These indicate that accurate information about must be incorporated in calculation order reduce uncertainties.