scholarly journals Technical Note: Simple analytical relationships between Ångström coefficients of aerosol extinction, scattering, absorption, and single scattering albedo

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 19213-19222 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Moosmüller ◽  
R. K. Chakrabarty
Keyword(s):  
Wavelength Dependence ◽  
Single Scattering ◽  
Technical Note ◽  
Single Scattering Albedo ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Aerosol Extinction ◽  
Extinction Coefficients ◽  
Physical Understanding ◽  
Aerosol Scattering

Abstract. Ångström coefficients are commonly used to parameterize the slow wavelength dependence of aerosol scattering, absorption, and extinction coefficients and single scattering albedo. Here we introduce simple analytical relationships between these coefficients that establish a framework for intercomparison between theory and experimental results from different instruments and platforms and allow for closure studies and improved physical understanding.

scholarly journals Technical Note: Simple analytical relationships between Ångström coefficients of aerosol extinction, scattering, absorption, and single scattering albedo

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (20) ◽  
pp. 10677-10680 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Moosmüller ◽  
R. K. Chakrabarty
Keyword(s):  
Wavelength Dependence ◽  
Single Scattering ◽  
Technical Note ◽  
Single Scattering Albedo ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Aerosol Extinction ◽  
Extinction Coefficients ◽  
Physical Understanding ◽  
Aerosol Scattering

Abstract. Ångström coefficients are commonly used to parameterize the slow wavelength dependence of aerosol scattering, absorption, and extinction coefficients and single scattering albedo. Here we introduce simple analytical relationships between these coefficients that establish a framework for intercomparison between theory and experimental results from different instruments and platforms and allow for closure studies and improved physical understanding.

scholarly journals Vertical profiles of sub-micron aerosol single scattering albedo over Indian region immediately before monsoon onset and during its development: Research from the SWAAMI field campaign

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohanan R. Manoj ◽  
Sreedharan K. Satheesh ◽  
Krishnaswamy K. Moorthy ◽  
Hugh Coe
Keyword(s):  
Active Phase ◽  
Single Scattering ◽  
Single Scattering Albedo ◽  
Development Research ◽  
Aerosol Absorption ◽  
South West ◽  
Aerosol Scattering ◽  
First Time ◽  
Geographical Locations

Abstract. Vertical structures of aerosol single scattering albedo (SSA), from near the surface through the free troposphere, have been estimated for the first time at distinct geographical locations over the Indian mainland and adjoining oceans, using in-situ measurements of aerosol scattering and absorption coefficients aboard the FAAM BAe-146 aircraft during the South West Asian Aerosol Monsoon Interactions (SWAAMI) campaign from June to July 2016. These are used to examine the spatial variation of SSA profiles and also to characterize its transformation from just prior to the onset of Indian Summer Monsoon (June 2016) to its active phase (July 2016). Very strong aerosol absorption, with SSA values as low as 0.7, persisted in the lower altitudes (

scholarly journals Saharan dust events at the Jungfraujoch: detection by wavelength dependence of the single scattering albedo and first climatology analysis

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 (11/12) ◽  
pp. 2465-2480 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Collaud Coen ◽  
E. Weingartner ◽  
D. Schaub ◽  
C. Hueglin ◽  
C. Corrigan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wavelength Dependence ◽  
Single Scattering ◽  
Single Scattering Albedo ◽  
Saharan Dust ◽  
Back Trajectories ◽  
Suspended Particulate ◽  
Dust Events ◽  
Source Countries ◽  
Average Contribution ◽  
North Western

Abstract. Scattering and absorption coefficients have been measured continuously at several wavelengths since March 2001 at the high altitude site Jungfraujoch (3580ma.s.l.). From these data, the wavelength dependences of the Ångström exponent and particularly of the single scattering albedo are determined. While the exponent of the single scattering albedo usually increases with wavelength, it decreases with wavelength during Saharan dust events (SDE) due to the greater size of the mineral aerosol particles and their different chemical composition. This change in the sign of the single scattering exponent turns out to be a sensitive means for detecting Saharan dust events. The occurrence of SDE detected by this new method was confirmed by visual inspection of filter colors and by studying long-range back-trajectories. An examination of SDE over a 22-month period shows that SDE are more frequent during the March-June period as well as during October and November. The trajectory analysis indicated a mean traveling time of 96.5h, with the most important source countries situated in the northern and north-western part of the Saharan desert. Most of the SDE do not lead to a detectable increase of the 48-h total suspended particulate matter (TSP) concentration at the Jungfraujoch. During Saharan dust events, the average contribution of this dust to hourly TSP at the Jungfraujoch is 16µg/m3, which corresponds to an annual mean of 0.8µg/m3 or 24% of TSP.

scholarly journals Seasonal differences in the vertical profiles of aerosol optical properties over rural Oklahoma

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 11939-11957 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Andrews ◽  
P. J. Sheridan ◽  
J. A. Ogren
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variability ◽  
Seasonal Cycle ◽  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Single Scattering ◽  
Single Scattering Albedo ◽  
Vertical Profiles ◽  
Seasonal Differences ◽  
Aerosol Loading ◽  
Aerosol Absorption ◽  
Aerosol Scattering

Abstract. A small airplane made more than 450 aerosol optical property (light absorption and light scattering) vertical profile measurements (up to 4 km) over a rural Oklahoma site between March 2000 and July 2005. These profiles suggest significant seasonal differences in aerosol properties. The highest amounts of scattering and absorbing aerosol are observed during the summer, while the relative contribution of aerosol absorption is highest in the winter (i.e., single scattering albedo is lowest in winter). Aerosol absorption generally decreased with altitude below ∼1.5 km and then was relatively constant above that. Aerosol scattering decreased sharply with altitude below ∼1.5 km but, unlike absorption, also decreased at higher altitudes, albeit less sharply. The seasonal variability observed for aerosol loading is consistent with other aerosol measurements in the region including AERONET aerosol optical depth (AOD), CALIPSO vertical profiles, and IMPROVE aerosol mass. The column averaged single scattering albedo derived from in situ airplane measurements shows a similar seasonal cycle as the AERONET single scattering albedo inversion product, but a comparison of aerosol asymmetry parameter from airplane and AERONET platforms suggests differences in seasonal variability. The observed seasonal cycle of aerosol loading corresponds with changes in air mass back trajectories: the aerosol scattering was higher when transport was from polluted areas (e.g., the Gulf Coast) and lower when the air came from cleaner regions and/or the upper atmosphere.

scholarly journals Laboratory Validation and Field Deployment of a Compact Single-Scattering Albedo (SSA) Monitor

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Perim de Faria ◽  
Ulrich Bundke ◽  
Andrew Freedman ◽  
Timothy B. Onasch ◽  
Andreas Petzold
Keyword(s):  
Phase Shift ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Regression Line ◽  
Single Scattering ◽  
Indirect Measurement ◽  
Single Scattering Albedo ◽  
Full Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Extinction Coefficients ◽  
Loading Effects

Abstract. An evaluation of the performance and accuracy of a Cavity Attenuated Phase-Shift Single Scattering Albedo Monitor (CAPS PMssa, Aerodyne Res. Inc.) was conducted in an optical closure study with proven technologies: Cavity Attenuated Phase-Shift Particle Extinction Monitor (CAPS PMex, Aerodyne Res. Inc.); 3-wavelengh Integrating Nephelometer (TSI Model 3563); and 3-wavelength filter-based Particle Soot Absorption Photometer (PSAP, Radiance Research). The evaluation was conducted by connecting the instruments to a controlled aerosol generation system and comparing the measured scattering, extinction, and absorption coefficients measured by the CAPS PMssa with the independent measurements. Three different particle types were used to generate aerosol samples with single-scattering albedos (SSA) ranging from 0.4 to 1.0 at 630 nm wavelength. The CAPS PMssa measurements compared well with the proven technologies. Extinction measurement comparisons exhibited a slope of the linear regression line for the full data set of 0.96 (−0.02/&amp;plus;0.06), an intercept near zero, and a regression coefficient R2 > 0.99; whereas, scattering measurements had a slope of 1.01 (−0.07/&amp;plus;0.06), an intercept of less than &amp;plus;/−2 × 10−6 m−1 (Mm−1), and a coefficient R2 ∼ 1.0. The derived CAPS PMssa absorption compared well to the PSAP measurements at low levels (< 70 Mm−1) for the small particle sizes and modest (0.4 to 0.6) SSA values tested, with a linear regression slope of 1.0, an intercept of −4 Mm−1, and a coefficient R2 = 0.97. Comparisons at higher particle loadings were compromised by loading effects on the PSAP filters. For the SSA measurements, agreement was highest (regression slopes within 1% ) for SSA = 1.0 particles, though the difference between the measured values increased to 9 % for extinction coefficients lower than 55 Mm−1. SSA measurements for absorbing particles exhibited absolute differences up to 18 %, though it is not clear which measurement had the lowest accuracy. For a given particle type, the CAPS PMssa instrument exhibited the lowest scatter around the average. This study demonstrates that the CAPS PMssa is a robust and reliable instrument for the direct measurement of the scattering and extinction coefficients and thus SSA. This conclusion also holds as well for the indirect measurement of the absorption coefficient with the constraint that the accuracy of this particular measurement degrades as the SSA and particle size increases.

scholarly journals Seasonal differences in the vertical profiles of aerosol optical properties over rural Oklahoma

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (20) ◽  
pp. 10661-10676 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Andrews ◽  
P. J. Sheridan ◽  
J. A. Ogren
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variability ◽  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Single Scattering ◽  
Single Scattering Albedo ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Seasonal Differences ◽  
Aerosol Loading ◽  
Aerosol Absorption ◽  
Aerosol Scattering

Abstract. A small airplane made 597 aerosol optical property (light absorption and light scattering) vertical profile measurements over a rural Oklahoma site between March 2000 and December 2007. The aerosol profiles obtained during these 8 yr of measurements suggest significant seasonal differences in aerosol loading (scattering and absorption). The highest amounts of scattering and absorbing aerosol are observed during the summer and the lowest loading occurs during the winter. The relative contribution of aerosol absorption is highest in the winter (i.e., single scattering albedo is lowest in winter), particularly aloft. Aerosol absorption generally decreased with altitude below ~1.5 km and then was relatively constant or decreased more gradually above that. Aerosol scattering decreased sharply with altitude below ~1.5 km but, unlike absorption, also decreased at higher altitudes, albeit less sharply. Scattering Ångström exponents suggest that the aerosol was dominated by sub-micron aerosol during the summer at all altitudes, but that larger particles were present, especially in the spring and winter above 1 km. The seasonal variability observed for aerosol loading is consistent with AERONET aerosol optical depth (AOD) although the AOD values calculated from in situ adjusted to ambient conditions and matching wavelengths are up to a factor of two lower than AERONET AOD values depending on season. The column averaged single scattering albedo derived from in situ airplane measurements are similar in value to the AERONET single scattering albedo inversion product but the seasonal patterns are different – possibly a consequence of the strict constraints on obtaining single scattering albedo from AERONET data. A comparison of extinction Ångström exponent and asymmetry parameter from the airplane and AERONET platforms suggests similar seasonal variability with smaller particles observed in the summer and fall and larger particles observed in spring and winter. The observed seasonal cycle of aerosol loading corresponds with changes in air mass back trajectories: the aerosol scattering was higher when transport was from polluted areas (e.g., the Gulf Coast) and lower when the air came from cleaner regions and/or the upper atmosphere.

scholarly journals Measurement of size-dependent single scattering albedo of fresh biomass burning aerosols using the extinction-minus-scattering technique with a combination of cavity ring-down spectroscopy and nephelometry

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (21) ◽  
pp. 13491-13507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sujeeta Singh ◽  
Marc N. Fiddler ◽  
Solomon Bililign
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Biomass Burning ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Wavelength Dependence ◽  
Single Scattering ◽  
Single Scattering Albedo ◽  
Fuel Type ◽  
Sampling System ◽  
Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy ◽  
Cavity Ring Down

Abstract. Biomass burning (BB) aerosols have a significant effect on regional climate, and represent a significant uncertainty in our understanding of climate change. Using a combination of cavity ring-down spectroscopy and integrating nephelometry, the single scattering albedo (SSA) and Ångstrom absorption exponent (AAE) were measured for several North American biomass fuels. This was done for several particle diameters for the smoldering and flaming stage of white pine, red oak, and cedar combustion. Measurements were done over a wider wavelength range than any previous direct measurement of BB particles. While the offline sampling system used in this work shows promise, some changes in particle size distribution were observed, and a thorough evaluation of this method is required. The uncertainty of SSA was 6 %, with the truncation angle correction of the nephelometer being the largest contributor to error. While scattering and extinction did show wavelength dependence, SSA did not. SSA values ranged from 0.46 to 0.74, and were not uniformly greater for the smoldering stage than the flaming stage. SSA values changed with particle size, and not systematically so, suggesting the proportion of tar balls to fractal black carbon change with fuel type/state and particle size. SSA differences of 0.15–0.4 or greater can be attributed to fuel type or fuel state for fresh soot. AAE values were quite high (1.59–5.57), despite SSA being lower than is typically observed in wildfires. The SSA and AAE values in this work do not fit well with current schemes that relate these factors to the modified combustion efficiency of a burn. Combustion stage, particle size, fuel type, and fuel condition were found to have the most significant effects on the intrinsic optical properties of fresh soot, though additional factors influence aged soot.

scholarly journals Development of a cavity enhanced aerosol albedometer

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 2981-3019
Author(s):  
W. Zhao ◽  
X. Xu ◽  
M. Dong ◽  
W. Chen ◽  
X. Gu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Channel ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Single Scattering ◽  
Polystyrene Latex ◽  
Scattering Coefficient ◽  
Integrating Sphere ◽  
Instrumental Performance ◽  
Optical Extinction ◽  
Extinction Coefficients ◽  
Aerosol Scattering

Abstract. We report on the development of a cavity enhanced aerosol single scattering albedometer incorporating incoherent broad-band cavity-enhanced spectroscopy (IBBCEAS) approach and an integrating sphere (IS) for simultaneous in situ measurements of aerosol scattering and extinction coefficients in the exact same sample volume. The cavity enhanced albedometer employed a blue light-emitting diode (LED) based IBBCEAS approach for the measurement of wavelength-resolved aerosol optical extinction over the spectral range of 445–480 nm. An integrating sphere nephelometer coupled to the IBBCEAS setup was used for the measurement of aerosol scattering. The scattering signal was measured with a single channel photomultiplier tube (PMT), providing an integrated value over a narrow bandwidth (FWHM ~ 9 nm) in the spectral region of 465–474 nm. A scattering coefficient at a wavelength of 470 nm was deduced as an averaged scattering value and used for data analysis and instrumental performance comparison. Performance evaluation of the albedometer was carried out using laboratory-generated particles and ambient aerosol. The scattering and extinction measurements of monodisperse polystyrene latex (PSL) spheres generated in laboratory proved excellent correlation between two channels of the albedometer. The retrieved refractive index (RI) from the measured scattering and extinction efficiencies agreed well with the values reported in previously published papers. Aerosol light scattering and extinction coefficients, single scattering albedo (SSA) and NO2 concentrations in an ambient sample were directly and simultaneously measured using the developed albedometer. The developed instrument was validated via an intercomparison of the measured aerosol scattering coefficient and NO2 trace concentration against a TSI 3563 integrating nephelometer and a chemiluminescence detector, respectively.

scholarly journals Aerosol scattering effects on water vapor retrievals over the Los Angeles Basin

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 2495-2508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao-Cheng Zeng ◽  
Qiong Zhang ◽  
Vijay Natraj ◽  
Jack S. Margolis ◽  
Run-Lie Shia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapor ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Atmospheric Aerosols ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Wavelength Dependence ◽  
Single Scattering ◽  
Absorption Bands ◽  
Aerosol Scattering ◽  
Scattering Effects

Abstract. In this study, we propose a novel approach to describe the scattering effects of atmospheric aerosols in a complex urban environment using water vapor (H2O) slant column measurements in the near infrared. This approach is demonstrated using measurements from the California Laboratory for Atmospheric Remote Sensing Fourier Transform Spectrometer on the top of Mt. Wilson, California, and a two-stream-exact single scattering (2S-ESS) radiative transfer (RT) model. From the spectral measurements, we retrieve H2O slant column density (SCD) using 15 different absorption bands between 4000 and 8000 cm−1. Due to the wavelength dependence of aerosol scattering, large variations in H2O SCD retrievals are observed as a function of wavelength. Moreover, the variations are found to be correlated with aerosol optical depths (AODs) measured at the AERONET-Caltech station. Simulation results from the RT model reproduce this correlation and show that the aerosol scattering effect is the primary contributor to the variations in the wavelength dependence of the H2O SCD retrievals. A significant linear correlation is also found between variations in H2O SCD retrievals from different bands and corresponding AOD data; this correlation is associated with the asymmetry parameter, which is a first-order measure of the aerosol scattering phase function. The evidence from both measurements and simulations suggests that wavelength-dependent aerosol scattering effects can be derived using H2O retrievals from multiple bands. This understanding of aerosol scattering effects on H2O retrievals suggests a promising way to quantify the effect of aerosol scattering on greenhouse gas retrievals and could potentially contribute towards reducing biases in greenhouse gas retrievals from space.

scholarly journals Detailed characterization of the CAPS single-scattering albedo monitor (CAPS PMssa) as a field-deployable instrument for measuring aerosol light absorption with the extinction-minus-scattering method

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 819-851
Author(s):  
Rob L. Modini ◽  
Joel C. Corbin ◽  
Benjamin T. Brem ◽  
Martin Irwin ◽  
Michele Bertò ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scattered Light ◽  
Single Scattering ◽  
High Accuracy ◽  
Single Scattering Albedo ◽  
Effective Length ◽  
Scattering Coefficient ◽  
Ambient Atmosphere ◽  
Scattering Method ◽  
Absorption Coefficients ◽  
Extinction Coefficients

Abstract. The CAPS PMssa monitor is a recently commercialized instrument designed to measure aerosol single-scattering albedo (SSA) with high accuracy (Onasch et al., 2015). The underlying extinction and scattering coefficient measurements made by the instrument also allow calculation of aerosol absorption coefficients via the extinction-minus-scattering (EMS) method. Care must be taken with EMS measurements due to the occurrence of large subtractive error amplification, especially for the predominantly scattering aerosols that are typically found in the ambient atmosphere. Practically this means that although the CAPS PMssa can measure scattering and extinction coefficients with high accuracy (errors on the order of 1 %–10 %), the corresponding errors in EMS-derived absorption range from ∼10 % to greater than 100 %. Therefore, we examine the individual error sources in detail with the goal of constraining these as tightly as possible. Our main focus is on the correction of the scattered light truncation effect (i.e., accounting for the near-forward and near-backward scattered light that is undetectable by the instrument), which we show to be the main source of underlying error in atmospheric applications. We introduce a new, modular framework for performing the truncation correction calculation that enables the consideration of additional physical processes such as reflection from the instrument's glass sampling tube, which was neglected in an earlier truncation model. We validate the truncation calculations against comprehensive laboratory measurements. It is demonstrated that the process of glass tube reflection must be considered in the truncation calculation, but that uncertainty still remains regarding the effective length of the optical cavity. Another important source of uncertainty is the cross-calibration constant that quantitatively links the scattering coefficient measured by the instrument to its extinction coefficient. We present measurements of this constant over a period of ∼5 months that demonstrate that the uncertainty in this parameter is very well constrained for some instrument units (2 %–3 %) but higher for others. We then use two example field datasets to demonstrate and summarize the potential and the limitations of using the CAPS PMssa for measuring absorption. The first example uses mobile measurements on a highway road to highlight the excellent responsiveness and sensitivity of the instrument, which enables much higher time resolution measurements of relative absorption than is possible with filter-based instruments. The second example from a stationary field site (Cabauw, the Netherlands) demonstrates how truncation-related uncertainties can lead to large biases in EMS-derived absolute absorption coefficients. Nevertheless, we use a subset of fine-mode-dominated aerosols from the dataset to show that under certain conditions and despite the remaining truncation uncertainties, the CAPS PMssa can still provide consistent EMS-derived absorption measurements, even for atmospheric aerosols with high SSA. Finally, we present a detailed list of recommendations for future studies that use the CAPS PMssa to measure absorption with the EMS method. These recommendations could also be followed to obtain accurate measurements (i.e., errors less than 5 %–10 %) of SSA and scattering and extinction coefficients with the instrument.

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