scholarly journals Model of optical response of marine aerosols to Forbush decreases

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 2765-2776 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Bondo ◽  
M. B. Enghoff ◽  
H. Svensmark
Keyword(s):  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Forbush Decrease ◽  
Optical Response ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Rays ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Marine Aerosols ◽  
Forbush Decreases ◽  
Angstrom Exponent ◽  
Ångström Exponent ◽  
Ångstrom Exponent

Abstract. In order to elucidate the effect of galactic cosmic rays on cloud formation, we investigate the optical response of marine aerosols to Forbush decreases – abrupt decreases in galactic cosmic rays – by means of modeling. We vary the nucleation rate of new aerosols, in a sectional coagulation and condensation model, according to changes in ionization by the Forbush decrease. From the resulting size distribution we then calculate the aerosol optical thickness and Angstrom exponent, for the wavelength pairs 350, 450 nm and 550, 900 nm. In the cases where the output parameters from the model seem to compare best with atmospheric observations we observe, for the shorter wavelength pair, a change in Angstrom exponent, following the Forbush Decrease, of −6 to +3%. In some cases we also observe a delay in the change of Angstrom exponent, compared to the maximum of the Forbush decrease, which is caused by different sensitivities of the probing wavelengths to changes in aerosol number concentration and size. For the long wavelengths these changes are generally smaller. The types and magnitude of change is investigated for a suite of nucleation rates, condensable gas production rates, and aerosol loss rates. Furthermore we compare the model output with observations of 5 of the largest Forbush decreases after year 2000. For the 350, 450 nm pair we use AERONET data and find a comparable change in signal while the Angstrom Exponent is lower in the model than in the data, due to AERONET being mainly sampled over land. For 550, 900 nm we compare with both AERONET and MODIS and find little to no response in both model and observations. In summary our study shows that the optical properties of aerosols show a distinct response to Forbush Decreases, assuming that the nucleation of fresh aerosols is driven by ions. Shorter wavelengths seem more favorable for observing these effects and great care should be taken when analyzing observations, in order to avoid the signal being drowned out by noise.

scholarly journals Model of optical response of marine aerosols to Forbush decreases

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 22833-22863
Author(s):  
T. Bondo ◽  
M. B. Enghoff ◽  
H. Svensmark
Keyword(s):  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Forbush Decrease ◽  
Optical Response ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Rays ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Marine Aerosols ◽  
Forbush Decreases ◽  
Angstrom Exponent ◽  
Ångström Exponent ◽  
Ångstrom Exponent

Abstract. In order to elucidate the effect of galactic cosmic rays on cloud formation, we investigate the optical response of marine aerosols to Forbush decreases – abrupt decreases in galactic cosmic rays – by means of modeling. We vary the nucleation rate of new aerosols, in a sectional coagulation and condensation model, according to changes in ionization by the Forbush decrease. From the resulting size distribution we then calculate the aerosol optical thickness and Angstrom exponent, for the wavelength pairs 350, 450 nm and 550, 900 nm. For the shorter wavelength pair we observe a change in Angstrom exponent, following the Forbush Decrease, of −6 to +3% in the cases with atmospherically realistic output parameters. For some parameters we also observe a delay in the change of Angstrom exponent, compared to the maximum of the Forbush decrease, which is caused by different sensitivities of the probing wavelengths to changes in aerosol number concentration and size. For the long wavelengths these changes are generally smaller. The types and magnitude of change is investigated for a suite of nucleation rates, condensable gas production rates, and aerosol loss rates. Furthermore we compare the model output with observations of 5 of the largest Forbush decreases after year 2000. For the 350, 450 nm pair we use AERONET data and find a comparable change in signal while the Angstrom Exponent is lower in the model than in the data, due to AERONET being mainly sampled over land. For 550, 900 nm we compare with both AERONET and MODIS and find little to no response in both model and observations. In summary our study shows that the optical properties of aerosols show a distinct response to Forbush Decreases, assuming that the nucleation of fresh aerosols is driven by ions. Shorter wavelengths seem more favorable for observing these effects and great care should be taken when analyzing observations, in order to avoid the signal being drowned out by noise.

scholarly journals Retrieval of aerosol single-scattering albedo and polarized phase function from polarized sun-photometer measurements for Zanjan's atmosphere

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 2659-2669 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bayat ◽  
H. R. Khalesifard ◽  
A. Masoumi
Keyword(s):  
Aerosol Optical Depth ◽  
Optical Depth ◽  
Atmospheric Aerosols ◽  
Phase Function ◽  
Single Scattering ◽  
Single Scattering Albedo ◽  
Angstrom Exponent ◽  
Ångström Exponent ◽  
Sun Photometer ◽  
Ångstrom Exponent

Abstract. The polarized phase function of atmospheric aerosols has been investigated for the atmosphere of Zanjan, a city in northwest Iran. To do this, aerosol optical depth, Ångström exponent, single-scattering albedo, and polarized phase function have been retrieved from the measurements of a Cimel CE 318-2 polarized sun-photometer from February 2010 to December 2012. The results show that the maximum value of aerosol polarized phase function as well as the polarized phase function retrieved for a specific scattering angle (i.e., 60°) are strongly correlated (R = 0.95 and 0.95, respectively) with the Ångström exponent. The latter has a meaningful variation with respect to the changes in the complex refractive index of the atmospheric aerosols. Furthermore the polarized phase function shows a moderate negative correlation with respect to the atmospheric aerosol optical depth and single-scattering albedo (R = −0.76 and −0.33, respectively). Therefore the polarized phase function can be regarded as a key parameter to characterize the atmospheric particles of the region – a populated city in the semi-arid area and surrounded by some dust sources of the Earth's dust belt.

scholarly journals On the Interaction of Galactic Cosmic Rays with Heliospheric Shocks During Forbush Decreases

Solar Physics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 295 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anamarija Kirin ◽  
Bojan Vršnak ◽  
Mateja Dumbović ◽  
Bernd Heber
Keyword(s):  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Rays ◽  
Forbush Decreases

scholarly journals Aerosol optical properties at Lampedusa (Central Mediterranean). 1. Influence of transport and identification of different aerosol types

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 697-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Pace ◽  
A. di Sarra ◽  
D. Meloni ◽  
S. Piacentino ◽  
P. Chamard
Keyword(s):  
Aerosol Optical Depth ◽  
Optical Depth ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Desert Dust ◽  
Central Eastern Europe ◽  
Angstrom Exponent ◽  
The North ◽  
Ångström Exponent ◽  
Summer Maximum ◽  
Ångstrom Exponent

Abstract. Aerosol optical depth and Ångström exponent were obtained from multi filter rotating shadowband radiometer (MFRSR) observations carried out at the island of Lampedusa, in the Central Mediterranean, in the period July 2001–September 2003. The average aerosol optical depth at 495.7 nm, τ, is 0.24±0.14; the average Ångström exponent, α, is 0.86±0.63. The observed values of τ range from 0.03 to 1.13, and the values of α vary from −0.32 to 2.05, indicating a large variability in aerosol content and size. In cloud-free conditions, 36% of the airmasses come from Africa, 25% from Central-Eastern Europe, and 19% from Western France, Spain and the North Atlantic. In summer, 42% of the airmasses is of African origin. In almost all cases African aerosols display high values of τ and low values of α, typical of Saharan dust (average values of τ and α are 0.36 and 0.42, respectively). Particles originating from Central-Eastern Europe show relatively large average values of τ and α (0.23 and 1.5, respectively), while particles from Western France, Spain and the North Atlantic show the lowest average values of τ (0.15), and relatively small values of α (0.92). Intermediate values of α are often connected with relatively fast changes of the airmass originating sector, suggesting the contemporary presence of different types of particles in the air column. Clean marine conditions are rare at Lampedusa, and are generally associated with subsidence of the airmasses reaching the island. Average values of τ and α for clean marine conditions are 0.11 and 0.86, respectively. The largest values of α (about 2) were observed in August 2003, when large scale forest fires in Southern Europe produced consistent amounts of fine combustion particles, that were transported to the Central Mediterranean by a persistent high pressure system over Central Europe. Smoke particles in some cases mix with desert dust, producing intermediate values of α. The seasonal distribution of the meteorological patterns over the Mediterranean, the efficiency of the aerosol production mechanisms, and the variability of the particles' residence time produce a distinct seasonal cycle of aerosol optical depths and Ångström exponent values. Particles originating from all sectors show a summer maximum in aerosol optical depth. The summer increase in optical depth for European aerosols is linked with an increment in the values of α, that indicates an enhancement in the number of fine particles. The summer maximum of τ for African particles is associated with a weak reduction in the Ångström exponent, suggesting an increase in the total number of particles and a relatively more intense transport of large particles. The observations were classified according to the aerosol optical properties, and two main classes have been identified: desert dust and biomass burning/urban-industrial aerosols. Values of τ and α averaged over the whole observing period are 0.37 and 0.15 for desert dust, and 0.27 and 1.77 for urban-industrial/biomass burning aerosols.

scholarly journals The Impact of Intense Winter Saharan Dust Events on PM and Optical Properties at Urban Sites in the Southeast of the Iberian Peninsula

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1469
Author(s):  
Alba López-Caravaca ◽  
Ramón Castañer ◽  
Alvaro Clemente ◽  
Eduardo Yubero ◽  
Nuria Galindo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Iberian Peninsula ◽  
Fine Particles ◽  
Saharan Dust ◽  
Percentile Method ◽  
Angstrom Exponent ◽  
Ångström Exponent ◽  
Dust Events ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ångstrom Exponent

The influence of three Saharan dust events (SDE) on particulate matter (PM) concentrations and aerosol optical properties (AOP) during February 2021 was studied. The physical characteristics of the African aerosol were different for each episode. Therefore, the impacts of the three events on PM and AOP were analyzed separately. The monitoring sites were placed in Elche, in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula. The sites can be classified as urban background locations. The procedure used to obtain the contribution of SDE to PM10 mass concentrations was the 40th percentile method. Nearly half of the days during the study period were under the influence of Saharan air masses. The average contribution of mineral dust (MD) to the PM10 mean concentration was ~50%, which was the highest contribution during the month of February in the last 14 years. The results show that those events characterized by a high input of fine particles (PM1 and PM2.5) caused larger increases in the absorption (σap) and scattering (σsp) coefficients than SDE in which coarse particles predominated. Nevertheless, as expected, SAE (Scattering Angström Exponent) values were lowest during these episodes. AAE (Absorption Angström Exponent) values during SDE were slightly higher than those observed in the absence of African dust, suggesting some contribution from MD to the absorption process.

scholarly journals Effects of different correction algorithms on absorption coefficient – a comparison of three optical absorption photometers at a boreal forest site

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 6419-6441
Author(s):  
Krista Luoma ◽  
Aki Virkkula ◽  
Pasi Aalto ◽  
Katrianne Lehtipalo ◽  
Tuukka Petäjä ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Absorption Coefficient ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Single Scattering ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Angstrom Exponent ◽  
Ångström Exponent ◽  
Boreal Environment ◽  
Absorption Photometer ◽  
Ångstrom Exponent

Abstract. We present a comparison between three absorption photometers that measured the absorption coefficient (σabs) of ambient aerosol particles in 2012–2017 at SMEAR II (Station for Measuring Ecosystem–Atmosphere Relations II), a measurement station located in a boreal forest in southern Finland. The comparison included an Aethalometer (AE31), a multi-angle absorption photometer (MAAP), and a particle soot absorption photometer (PSAP). These optical instruments measured particles collected on a filter, which is a source of systematic errors, since in addition to the particles, the filter fibers also interact with light. To overcome this problem, several algorithms have been suggested to correct the AE31 and PSAP measurements. The aim of this study was to research how the different correction algorithms affected the derived optical properties. We applied the different correction algorithms to the AE31 and PSAP data and compared the results against the reference measurements conducted by the MAAP. The comparison between the MAAP and AE31 resulted in a multiple-scattering correction factor (Cref) that is used in AE31 correction algorithms to compensate for the light scattering by filter fibers. Cref varies between different environments, and our results are applicable to a boreal environment. We observed a clear seasonal cycle in Cref, which was probably due to variations in aerosol optical properties, such as the backscatter fraction and single-scattering albedo, and also due to variations in the relative humidity (RH). The results showed that the filter-based absorption photometers seemed to be rather sensitive to the RH even if the RH was kept below the recommended value of 40 %. The instruments correlated well (R≈0.98), but the slopes of the regression lines varied between the instruments and correction algorithms: compared to the MAAP, the AE31 underestimated σabs only slightly (the slopes varied between 0.96–1.00) and the PSAP overestimated σabs only a little (the slopes varied between 1.01–1.04 for a recommended filter transmittance >0.7). The instruments and correction algorithms had a notable influence on the absorption Ångström exponent: the median absorption Ångström exponent varied between 0.93–1.54 for the different algorithms and instruments.

scholarly journals Measurements of optical properties of atmospheric aerosols in Northern Finland

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 11703-11728 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Aaltonen ◽  
H. Lihavainen ◽  
V.-M. Kerminen ◽  
M. Komppula ◽  
J. Hatakka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Aerosol Optical Properties ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Angstrom Exponent ◽  
Northern Border ◽  
Ångström Exponent ◽  
Ångstrom Exponent

Abstract. Three years of continuous measurements of aerosol optical properties and simultaneous aerosol number size distribution measurements at Pallas GAW station, a remote subarctic site in the northern border of the boreal forest zone, have been analysed. The scattering coefficient at 550 nm varied from 0.2 to 94.4 Mm−1 with an average of 7.1±8.6 Mm−1. Both the scattering and backscattering coefficients had a clear seasonal cycle with an autumn minimum and a 4–5 times higher summer maximum. The scattering was dominated by submicron aerosols and especially so during late summer and autumn. The Ångström exponent had a clear seasonal pattern with maximum values in late summer and minimum values during wintertime. The highest hemispheric backscattering fraction values were observed in autumn, indicating clean air with few scattering particles and a particle size distribution strongly dominated by ultrafine particles. To analyse the influence of air mass origin on the aerosol optical properties a trajectory climatology was applied to the Pallas aerosol data. The most polluted trajectory patterns represented air masses from the Kola Peninsula, Scandinavia and Russia as well as long-range transport from Britain and Eastern Europe. These air masses had the largest average scattering and backscattering coefficients for all seasons. Higher than average values of the Ångström exponent were also observed in connection with transport from these areas.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document