Modeling nitrate aerosol distributions and its direct radiative forcing in East Asia with RAMS-CMAQ

► Aerosol optical property/radiative forcing module is incorporated into RAMS-CMAQ modeling system. ► The nitrate mass concentration and radiative forcing in East Asia in 2007 is simulated. ► Modeling system has good ability to reproduce aerosol physico-chemical properties. ► Internal mixing state may enhance the radiative forcing of nitrate.