Impact of aerosols on atmospheric processes and climate variability: A synthesis of recent research findings

Abstract

Aerosols are minuscule particles suspended in the Earth's atmosphere that significantly impact air quality. Aerosol optical depth serves as a crucial metric for gauging aerosol optical properties and concentrations, thereby influencing the climate. Atmospheric processes, in conjunction with meteorological factors such as temperature and humidity, influence aerosol behavior, molding weather patterns and climate fluctuations. This research employs bibliometric analysis to pinpoint key research fields and clusters, which are subsequently followed by countries, authors, keywords, and journals contributing to aerosol studies. Leveraging the VOSviewer software, a scientometric approach is utilized to present an accurate portrayal and evolution within the realm of aerosols. The United States has been instrumental in this research domain based on the volume of articles published and citations. Key aerosol research areas from 2009 to 2024 include MODIS aerosol products, global climate modeling, and aerosol impacts and properties. This review aims to provide researchers with an overview of these primary research domains while highlighting the importance of understanding aerosol interactions for addressing climate change and protecting the environment and ecosystems through sustainable solutions.