Variability of aerosol extinction of solar radiation in Antarctica

1994 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. F. Radionov
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Volcanic Activity ◽  
Considerable Increase ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Stratospheric Aerosol ◽  
Aerosol Extinction ◽  
Mount Pinatubo ◽  
Atmospheric Turbidity ◽  
Aerosol Pollution ◽  
Using Data

Temporal variations of the aerosol optical depth and transmission coefficient of the atmosphere are considered using data from Mirny Observatory, Antarctica. Year-to-year variability of these parameters is determined mainly by stratospheric aerosol pollution due to volcanic activity. A considerable increase of atmospheric turbidity has been observed since the end of September 1991. This phenomenon seems to be associated with the Mount Pinatubo volcanic eruption.

scholarly journals Improved stratospheric aerosol extinction profiles from SCIAMACHY: validation and sample results

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 5223-5235 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. von Savigny ◽  
F. Ernst ◽  
A. Rozanov ◽  
R. Hommel ◽  
K.-U. Eichmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Optical Depth ◽  
Temporal Variability ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Stratospheric Aerosol ◽  
Aerosol Extinction ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Solar Occultation ◽  
Mission Period ◽  
Relative Differences

Abstract. Stratospheric aerosol extinction profiles have been retrieved from SCIAMACHY/Envisat measurements of limb-scattered solar radiation. The retrieval is an improved version of an algorithm presented earlier. The retrieved aerosol extinction profiles are compared to co-located aerosol profile measurements from the SAGE II solar occultation instrument at a wavelength of 525 nm. Comparisons were carried out with two versions of the SAGE II data set (version 6.2 and the new version 7.0). In a global average sense the SCIAMACHY and the SAGE II version 7.0 extinction profiles agree to within about 10 % for altitudes above 15 km. Larger relative differences (up to 40 %) are observed at specific latitudes and altitudes. We also find differences between the two SAGE II data versions of up to 40 % for specific latitudes and altitudes, consistent with earlier reports. Sample results on the latitudinal and temporal variability of stratospheric aerosol extinction and optical depth during the SCIAMACHY mission period are presented. The results confirm earlier reports that a series of volcanic eruptions is responsible for the increase in stratospheric aerosol optical depth from 2002 to 2012. Above about an altitude of 28 km, volcanic eruptions are found to have negligible impact in the period 2002–2012.

scholarly journals Study of Atmospheric Turbidity in a Northern Tropical Region Using Models and Measurements of Global Solar Radiation

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2271
Author(s):  
Mohamed Zaiani ◽  
Abdanour Irbah ◽  
Djelloul Djafer ◽  
Constantino Listowski ◽  
Julien Delanoe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Global Solar Radiation ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Radiative Properties ◽  
Tropical Region ◽  
Atmospheric Turbidity ◽  
Two Parameters ◽  
Sky Conditions ◽  
Terra Satellite

Radiative transfer in the Earth’s atmosphere under clear-sky conditions strongly depends on turbidity due to aerosols and hydrometeors. It is therefore important to know its temporal radiative properties for a given site when the objective is to optimize the solar energy that is collected there. Turbidity can be studied via measurements and models of the global solar radiation reaching the ground in cloudless conditions. These models generally depend on two parameters, namely the Angström turbidity coefficient and the Linke factor. This article aims to do a comparative study of five models of global solar radiation, all dependent on the Linke factor, based on real data. The measurements are provided by the Tamanrasset Meteorological Center (Algeria), which has a long series of global solar radiation data recorded between 2005 and 2011. Additional data from AERONET and MODIS onboard the TERRA satellite were also used to perform the comparison between the two estimated parameters and those obtained from AERONET. The study shows that the ESRA models are the most reliable among the five models for estimating the Linke factor with a correlation coefficient R of the data fits of 0.9995, a RMSE of 13.44 W/m2, a MBE of −0.64 W/m2 and a MAPE of 6.44%. The maximum and minimum statistical values were reached, respectively, in June and during the autumn months. The best correlation is also observed in the case of ESRA models between the Linke parameter and the joint optical thickness of aerosols and the total column-integrated water vapor. The Angström turbidity coefficient β, calculated from the Linke factor and MODIS data, has values less than 0.02 at 9% of the cases, and 76% present values ranging between 0.02 and 0.15 and 13% higher than 0.15. These β values are validated by AERONET measurements since a very good correlation (R≈0.87) is observed between the two datasets. The temporal variations of β also show a maximum in June. Satellite observations confirm more aerosols during the summer season, which are mostly related to the African monsoon.

scholarly journals Improved stratospheric aerosol extinction profiles from SCIAMACHY: validation and sample results

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 8353-8383 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. von Savigny ◽  
F. Ernst ◽  
A. Rozanov ◽  
R. Hommel ◽  
K.-U. Eichmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Optical Depth ◽  
Temporal Variability ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Stratospheric Aerosol ◽  
Aerosol Extinction ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Solar Occultation ◽  
Mission Period ◽  
Relative Differences

Abstract. Stratospheric aerosol extinction profiles have been retrieved from SCIAMACHY/Envisat measurements of limb-scattered solar radiation. The retrieval is an improved version of an algorithm presented earlier. The retrieved aerosol extinction profiles are compared to co-located aerosol profile measurements with the SAGE II solar occultation instrument at a wavelength of 525 nm. Comparisons were carried out with two versions of the SAGE II data set (version 6.2 and the new version 7.0). In a global average sense the SCIAMACHY and the SAGE II version 7.0 extinction profiles agree to within about 10 % for altitudes above 15 km. Larger relative differences (up to 40 %) are observed at specific latitudes and altitudes. We also find differences between the two SAGE II data versions of up to 40 % for specific latitudes and altitudes. Sample results on the latitudinal and temporal variability of stratospheric aerosol extinction and optical depth during the SCIAMACHY mission period are presented. The results indicate that a series of volcanic eruptions is responsible for the increase in stratospheric aerosol optical depth from 2002 to 2012. Above about 28 km altitude volcanic eruptions are found to have negligible impact in the period 2002 to 2012.

Observation of gliding tremors from the Gulf of Guinea might help solve over 50 year old mystery

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Bruland ◽  
Sarah Mader ◽  
Céline Hadziioannou
Keyword(s):  
Spectral Analysis ◽  
Volcanic Activity ◽  
Rayleigh Waves ◽  
Spectral Characteristics ◽  
Gulf Of Guinea ◽  
Seismic Amplitude ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Amplitude Spectra ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Over Time

<p>In the 1960's a peak in the seismic amplitude spectra around 26 s was discovered and detected on stations worldwide. The source was located in the Gulf of Guinea, with approximate coordinates (0,0), and was believed to be generated continuously. A source with similar spectral characteristics was discovered near the Vanuatu Islands, at nearly the antipodal location of the Gulf of Guinea source. Since it was located close to the volcanoes in Vanuatu, this source is commonly attributed to magmatic processes. The physical cause of the 26 s microseism, however, remains unclear.</p><p>We investigate the source location and evolution of the 26 s microseim using data from permanent broadband stations in Germany, France and Algeria and temporary arrays in Morocco, Cameroon and Botswana for spectral analysis and 3-C beamforming to get closer to resolving the source mechanism responsible for this enigmatic signal. We find that the signal modulates over time and is not always detectable, but occasionally it becomes so energetic it can be observed on stations worldwide. Such a burst can last for hours or days. The signal is visible on stations globally approximately 30 percent of the time. Our beamforming analysis confirms that the source is located in the Gulf of Guinea, as shown in previous studies, and that the location is temporally stable. Whenever the signal is detectable, both Love and Rayleigh waves are generated. We discover a spectral glide effect associated with the bursts, that so far has not been reported in the literature. </p><p>The spectral glides last for about two days and are observed on stations globally. Although at higher frequencies, very long period tremors and gliding tremors are also observed on volcanoes as Redoubt in Alaska and Arenal in Costa Rica, suggesting that the origin of the 26 s tremor is also volcanic. However, there is no reported volcanic activity in the area where the source appears to be located.</p><p> </p>

Derivation of Mount Pinatubo stratospheric aerosol mean size distribution by means of a multiwavelength lidar

1994 ◽  
Vol 33 (24) ◽  
pp. 5690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimo Del Guasta ◽  
Marco Morandi ◽  
L. Stefanutti ◽  
B. Stein ◽  
J. P. Wolf
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Stratospheric Aerosol ◽  
Mount Pinatubo ◽  
Mean Size ◽  
Multiwavelength Lidar

scholarly journals Enhancement of stratospheric aerosols after solar proton event

1996 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 1119-1123 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. I. Shumilov ◽  
E. A. Kasatkina ◽  
K. Henriksen ◽  
E. V. Vashenyuk
Keyword(s):  
Considerable Increase ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Solar Proton ◽  
Stratospheric Aerosol ◽  
Nucleation Mechanism ◽  
Solar Proton Event ◽  
Proton Event ◽  
Aerosol Layer ◽  
Event Type ◽  
Lidar Measurements

Abstract. The lidar measurements at Verhnetulomski observatory (68.6°N, 31.8°E) at Kola peninsula detected a considerable increase of stratospheric aerosol concentration after the solar proton event of GLE (ground level event) type on the 16/02/84. This increase was located at precisely the same altitude range where the energetic solar protons lost their energy in the atmosphere. The aerosol layer formed precipitated quickly (1–2 km per day) during 18, 19, and 20 February 1984, and the increase of R(H) (backscattering ratio) at 17 km altitude reached 40% on 20/02/84. We present the model calculation of CN (condensation nuclei) altitude distribution on the basis of an ion-nucleation mechanism, taking into account the experimental energy distribution of incident solar protons. The meteorological situation during the event was also investigated.

scholarly journals Evidence for the predictability of changes in the stratospheric aerosol size following volcanic eruptions of diverse magnitudes using space-based instruments

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry W. Thomason ◽  
Mahesh Kovilakam ◽  
Anja Schmidt ◽  
Christian von Savigny ◽  
Travis Knepp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Extinction Coefficient ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Stratospheric Aerosol ◽  
Global Climate Models ◽  
Aerosol Size Distribution ◽  
Aerosol Layer ◽  
Aerosol Extinction ◽  
Volcanic Event ◽  
Aerosol Extinction Coefficient

Abstract. An analysis of multiwavelength stratospheric aerosol extinction coefficient data from the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment II and III/ISS instruments is used to demonstrate a coherent relationship between the perturbation in extinction coefficient in an eruption's main aerosol layer and an apparent change in aerosol size distribution that spans multiple orders of magnitude in the stratospheric impact of a volcanic event. The relationship is measurement-based and does not rely on assumptions about the aerosol size distribution. We note limitations on this analysis including that the presence of significant amounts of ash in the main aerosol layer may significantly modulate these results. Despite this limitation, these findings represent a unique opportunity to verify the performance of interactive aerosol models used in Global Climate Models and Earth System Model and may suggest an avenue for improving aerosol extinction coefficient measurements from single channel observations such the Optical Spectrograph and Infrared Imager System as they rely on a priori assumptions about particle size.

scholarly journals An evaluation of the SAGE III Version 4 aerosol extinction coefficient and water vapor data products

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 22177-22222
Author(s):  
L. W. Thomason ◽  
J. R. Moore ◽  
M. C. Pitts ◽  
J. M. Zawodny ◽  
E.-W. Chiou
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapor ◽  
Extinction Coefficient ◽  
Stratospheric Aerosol ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Aerosol Extinction ◽  
Data Products ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Aerosol Extinction Coefficient ◽  
Polar Ozone

Abstract. Herein, we provide an assessment of the data quality of Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE III) Version 4 aerosol extinction coefficient and water vapor data products. The evaluation is based on comparisons with data from four instruments: SAGE II, the Polar Ozone and Aerosol Measurement (POAM III), the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE), and the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS). Since only about half of the SAGE III channels have a direct comparison with measurements by other instruments, we have employed some empirical techniques to evaluate measurements at some wavelengths. We find that the aerosol extinction coefficient measurements at 449, 520, 755, 869, and 1021 nm are reliable with accuracies and precisions on the order of 10% in the primary aerosol range of 15 to 25 km. We also believe this to be true of the aerosol measurements at 1545 nm though we cannot exclude some positive bias below 15 km. We recommend use of the 385 nm measurements above 16 km where the accuracy is on par with other aerosol channels. The 601 nm measurement is much noisier (~20%) than other channels and we suggest caution in the use of these data. We believe that the 676 nm data are clearly defective particularly above 20 km (accuracy as poor as 50%) and the precision is also low (~30%). We suggest excluding this channel under most circumstances. The SAGE III Version 4 water vapor data product appears to be high quality and is recommended for science applications in the stratosphere below 45 km. In this altitude range, the mean differences with all four corroborative data sets are no bigger than 15% and often less than 10% with exceptional agreement with POAM III and MLS. Above 45 km, it seems likely that SAGE III water vapor values are increasingly too large and should be used cautiously or avoided. We believe that SAGE III meets its preflight goal of 15% accuracy and 10% precision between 15 and 45 km. We do not currently recommend limiting the SAGE III water vapor data utility in the stratosphere by aerosol loading.

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