While processing the MERRA-2 monthly files, I noticed that:
BCWT001 = 0
for every valid grid cell that I checked.
Initially, I observed this over the HKH region, but I subsequently checked the variable over the global MERRA-2 domain, and BCWT001 appears to remain zero everywhere.
BCWT002, in contrast, contains non-zero wet-deposition values.
From the aerosol documentation, I understand that the two BC bins may represent different BC states, with Bin 001 corresponding to hydrophobic black carbon and Bin 002 corresponding to hydrophilic black carbon.
If this interpretation is correct, is BCWT001 = 0 an expected result of the MERRA-2/GEOS aerosol model formulation, because hydrophobic BC is not directly removed through wet deposition until it undergoes hydrophobic-to-hydrophilic conversion?
Or is BCWT001 retained in the MERRA-2 output structure even though this diagnostic is effectively zero in this version of the model?
I would particularly appreciate confirmation of:
What exactly do BC Bin 001 and Bin 002 represent in MERRA-2?
Is BCWT001 expected to be zero throughout the MERRA-2 record?
If yes, what physical/model parameterization causes it to be zero?
Should BCWT001 still be included when writing the mathematical definition of total BC wet deposition, even though its numerical contribution is zero?
Is there an official MERRA-2/GEOS document or publication that explicitly documents this behavior?
Why is BCWT001 equal to zero globally?
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pritijadhav
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- Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2026 2:45 am America/New_York