Use of a new database of lead 210 for global aerosol model validation

The new comprehensive global database of 210Pb surface concentration and deposition flux assembled by Preiss et al. [1996a] is synthesized by reduction and aggregation on a 5°×5° grid to facilitate and improve the analysis of a general circulation model‐based aerosol and climate model. The model is found to generally underestimate surface concentrations, and to overestimate (underestimate) deposition fluxes over source (non source) regions (respectively). We think that the simulated precipitation scavenging of aerosols is too efficient in the lower part of the troposphere, and too weak in the higher levels. This would be consistent with the spatial distribution of concentration and deposition errors in the model, and is backed up by the few available observed vertical profiles of 210Pb concentration. This paper demonstrates the usefulness, appropriateness and convenience for aerosol model validation of the synthesized 210Pb database, which is listed in detail for use by other modelers.