The Advancements in Aerosol, Cloud and Cloud–Aerosol Interaction by Remote Sensing

Dear Colleagues,

Aerosols and clouds significantly influence Earth’s radiative balance, hydrological cycle, and climate dynamics. Nevertheless, their intricate interplay remains a primary uncertainty in climate modeling and atmospheric science. Remote sensing technologies have become essential in deciphering these complex processes, providing comprehensive observations and extensive datasets across various spatial and temporal scales. Recent progress in satellite missions (e.g., MODIS, CALIPSO, EarthCARE), airborne sensors, and ground-based networks, combined with advancements in data assimilation, machine learning, and multi-sensor fusion, has dramatically enhanced our capability to accurately assess aerosol properties, cloud microphysics, and their mutual interactions.

This Special Issue aims to showcase the latest research that utilizes remote sensing to enhance our understanding of aerosols, clouds, and their interplay. We welcome contributions on methodological breakthroughs, observational findings, and comprehensive strategies to quantify aerosol–cloud–climate connections. Research areas could include the creation of innovative retrieval algorithms, synergy across multiple platforms (including satellite, UAV, and ground-based systems), and the utilization of emerging technologies such as hyperspectral sensors, lidar, and radar. We especially encourage studies examining the effects of aerosols on cloud formation, lifetime, and precipitation efficiency, as well as those investigating regional and global climatic feedback. Additionally, submissions can emphasize model validation by using remote sensing data, analysing long-term trends, or exploring the challenges in upscaling observations from local to global contexts.

We welcome original research, reviews, and case studies covering, but not limited to, the following topics: 

1. Aerosol optical properties and radiative effects;
2. Cloud physical characteristics and microphysical processes;
3. Mechanisms of cloud–aerosol interactions;
4. Spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of aerosol–cloud systems;
5. Impacts of aerosols and clouds on climate;
6. Application of remote sensing technology in aerosol and cloud research;
7. Environmental and health effects of aerosols and clouds;
8. Sources and emission characteristics of aerosols;
9. Chemical composition and mixing states of aerosols;
10. Removal and transformation of aerosols by clouds;
11. Aerosol–cloud–radiation feedback mechanisms;
12. Observation and simulation of regional aerosol–cloud interactions;
13. Response of aerosol–cloud systems under the background of climate change;
14. Uncertainty analysis of aerosol–cloud interactions;
15. Research on aerosol–cloud interactions from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Dr. Wenhao Zhang
Dr. Lili Zhang
Dr. Yu Wu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Remote Sensing is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.