Harnessing stratospheric diffusion barriers for enhanced climate geoengineering

Abstract. Stratospheric sulfate aerosol geoengineering is a proposed method to temporarily intervene in the climate system increase reflectance of shortwave radiation and reduce mean global temperature. In previous modeling studies, choosing injection locations for aerosols has, thus far, only utilized average dynamics stratospheric wind fields instead accounting essential role time-varying material transport barriers turbulent atmospheric flows. Here we conduct first analysis dispersion stratosphere, comparing what now standard fixed-injection scheme with that harness short-term diffusion barriers. We show how diffusive can quickly be identified, provide an automated location selection algorithm using short forecast reanalysis data. Within 7 d days transport, dynamics-based approach able produce particle distributions greater coverage than fixed-site methods fewer injections. Additionally, this enhanced slows microphysical growth effective radii up 200–300 after injection. While long-term are accurately predicted calculated from forecasts, influence on radiative forcing more difficult predict warrants deeper investigation. Statistically significant changes at timescales beyond forecasting window showed mixed results, potentially increasing or decreasing 1 year when compared fixed conclude future feasibility studies should consider cooling benefits possible by strategically injecting optimized locations. Our utilizing attracting repelling structures shows great promise identifying optimal locations, impacts improved considering additional meteorological variables.