Black carbon, brown carbon, and mineral dust—collectively known as light-absorbing aerosols (LAA)—are key drivers of climate. Their influence spans the atmosphere, land (e.g., snow and ice albedo), and water (e.g., oceans and lakes) systems. Major uncertainties remain around their emissions, physical-chemical properties, and mixing states. The estimates of LAA effective radiative forcing in earth system models differ by over two-fold globally. To address this, we need enhanced observations and improved model representations of LAA spatial distribution, microphysical features, and lifecycle evolution. Such progress would reconcile conflicting data and ensure accurate aerosol treatment in climate models.
We welcome contributions covering: (a) LAA characterization, transformations, and removal processes; (b)multi-platform observational analysis, field campaign experiments on LAA; (c) relationships among LAA chemical, microphysical, and optical attributes; (d) numerical modelling of LAA across scales; (e) evaluation of LAA radiative forcing and climatic effects; and (f) AI and data-driven techniques for studying LAA-relevant processes.