Abstract. A three-dimensional (spatial and vertical) gridded data set of
black carbon (BC) aerosols has been developed for the first time over the
Indian mainland using data from a dense ground-based network, aircraft- and
balloon-based measurements from multiple campaigns, and multi-satellite
observations, following statistical assimilation techniques. The assimilated
data reveal that the satellite products tend to underestimate
(overestimate) the aerosol absorption at lower (higher) altitudes with
possible climate implications. The regional maps of BC-induced atmospheric
heating derived using this data set capture the elevated aerosol heating
layers over the Indian region along with the spatial high over the
Indo-Gangetic Plain. It is shown that, over most of the Indian region, the
incorporation of realistic profiles of aerosol absorption/extinction
coefficients and single
scattering albedo into the radiative transfer calculations leads to
enhanced high-altitude warming. This could strongly influence the upper-tropospheric and lower-stratospheric processes, including the vertical
transport of BC to higher altitudes, and thus have larger implications for
atmospheric stability than what would be predicted using satellite
observations alone. This will have larger implications for atmospheric
stability than what would be predicted using satellite observations alone
and could strongly influence the upper-tropospheric and lower-stratospheric
processes, including increased vertical transport of BC to higher altitudes.
The 3D assimilated BC data set will be helpful in reducing the uncertainty
in aerosol radiative effects in climate model simulations over the Indian
region.