Aerosols as climate regulators: A climate-biosphere linkage?

Abstract Of the particles in the atmosphere, those around a few tenths of a μm in size are noteworthy. Firstly, they are relatively immune to removal and therefore remain suspended for long periods, and secondly, they interact strongly with sunlight. The collective system of sub-μm aerosols, therefore, constitutes an enormously sensitive climate regulating machine. In this regard, it is interesting to note that the present quantity of biologically-produced sulfate aerosol is nearly that needed to opalize the atmosphere. This might suggest that the sulfur aerosol system plays a role in climate.