scholarly journals Advection patterns and aerosol optical and microphysical properties by AERONET over south-east Italy in the central Mediterranean

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 16071-16118
Author(s):  
M. Santese ◽  
F. De Tomasi ◽  
M. R. Perrone

Abstract. Aerosol products by AERONET sun-sky radiometer measurements combined with air-mass backtrajectories were analyzed to identify source regions and pathways of air masses carrying aerosols to south-east Italy, and to determine the dependence of aerosol mean optical properties on advection patterns. Aerosol optical depth (AOD), fine mode fraction (η), single scattering albedo (SSA), asymmetry factor (g), and lidar ratio (Lr) at 440 nm were used to characterize aerosol properties. The analysis of 5-day-backtrajectories ending in Lecce on south-east Italy and referring to 240 measurement days of the 2003–2004 years revealed that 32% of the measurement days were characterized by air masses coming from Sector A, which includes all continental European sources with the exception of Spain. 3% of the measurement days were characterized by air masses coming from both the Sector B, which includes the Southern Mediterranean Sea and the Africa continent, and the Sector C, which includes the Western Mediterranean, the Iberian Peninsula, and the Atlantic Ocean. 62% of the measurement days were characterized by mixed advection patterns (Sector M). We found that AOD, SSA and g average values were not significantly dependent on air mass source Sector. In contrast, η and Lr average values were quite affected by the air mass source Sector. AOD, η, SSA, g, and Lr average values, which were equal to 0.29±0.15, 0.93±0.03, 0.93±0.03, 0.67±0.03, and 72±20 sr, respectively indicated that the Sector A aerosol could be considered representative of "continental average aerosol", mostly made of water soluble and a small amount of soot and insoluble components. Polluted-desert dust particles characterized by AOD=0.29±0.05, η=0.72±0.05, SSA=0.94±0.03, g=0.69±0.02, Lr=56±13 sr, were advected over south-east Italy from Sector B. Sector C was instead responsible for the advection of maritime-polluted particles, which were characterized by AOD=0.3±0.2, η=0.8±0.1, SSA=0.94±0.03, g=0.67±0.03, Lr=60±20 sr. Hence, we found that the aerosol load over south-east Italy was dominated by moderately-absorbing, fine-mode particles even if it was also affected by the minor contribution of desert and maritime type aerosol. The application of an aerosol mask to the Sector M data points supported last comment

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 1881-1896 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Santese ◽  
F. De Tomasi ◽  
M. R. Perrone

Abstract. Aerosol products by AERONET sun-sky radiometer measurements combined with air-mass backtrajectories were analyzed to identify source regions and pathways of air masses carrying aerosols to south-east Italy, and to determine the dependence of aerosol mean optical properties on advection patterns. Aerosol optical depth (AOD), fine mode fraction (η ), single scattering albedo (SSA), asymmetry factor (g), and lidar ratio (Lr) at 440 nm were used to characterize aerosol properties. The analysis of 5-day-backtrajectories ending in Lecce on south-east Italy and referring to 240 measurement days of the 2003–2004 years revealed that 32% of the measurement days were characterized by air masses coming from all continental European sources with the exception of Spain. 3% of the measurement days were characterized by air masses coming from both the Southern Mediterranean Sea and the Africa continent, and the Western Mediterranean, the Iberian Peninsula, and the Atlantic Ocean. 62% of the measurement days were characterized by mixed advection patterns. We found that AOD, SSA and g average values were not significantly dependent on air mass source regions. In contrast, η and Lr average values were quite affected by the air mass source region. AOD, &eta, SSA, g, and Lr average values, which were equal to 0.29±0.15, 0.93±0.03, 0.93±0.03, 0.67±0.03, and 72±20 sr, respectively indicated that the aerosol advected from all continental European sources with the exception of Spain, could be considered representative of "continental average aerosol", mostly made of water soluble and a small amount of soot and insoluble components. Polluted-desert dust particles characterized by AOD=0.29±0.05, η=0.72±0.05, SSA=0.94±0.03, g=0.69±0.02, Lr=56±13 sr, were advected over south-east Italy from the Southern Mediterranean Sea and the Africa continent. The Western Mediterranean, the Iberian Peninsula, and the Atlantic Ocean were instead responsible of the advection of maritime-polluted particles, which were characterized by AOD=0.27±0.17, η=0.8±0.1, SSA=0.94±0.03, g=0.67±0.03, Lr=58±24 sr. Hence, we found that the aerosol load over south-east Italy was dominated by moderately-absorbing, fine-mode particles even if it was also affected by the minor contribution of desert and maritime type aerosol. The application of an aerosol mask to the data points retrieved on measurement days characterized by mixed advection patterns, supported last comment


2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. Kaskaoutis ◽  
P. G. Kosmopoulos ◽  
H. D. Kambezidis ◽  
P. T. Nastos

Aerosol optical depth at 550 nm () and fine-mode (FM) fraction data from Terra-MODIS were obtained over the Greater Athens Area covering the period February 2000–December 2005. Based on both and FM values three main aerosol types have been discriminated corresponding to urban/industrial aerosols, clean maritime conditions, and coarse-mode, probably desert dust, particles. Five main sectors were identified for the classification of the air-mass trajectories, which were further used in the analysis of the ( and FM data for the three aerosol types). The HYSPLIT model was used to compute back trajectories at three altitudes to investigate the relation between -FM and wind sector depending on the altitude. The accumulation of local pollution is favored in spring and corresponds to air masses at lower altitudes originating from Eastern Europe and the Balkan. Clean maritime conditions are rare over Athens, limited in the winter season and associated with air masses from the Western or Northwestern sector. The coarse-mode particles origin seems to be more complicated proportionally to the season. Thus, in summer the Northern sector dominates, while in the other seasons, and especially in spring, the air masses belong to the Southern sector enriched with Saharan dust aerosols.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristian Velasco-Merino ◽  
David Mateos ◽  
Carlos Toledano ◽  
Joseph M. Prospero ◽  
Jack Molinie ◽  
...  

Abstract. Mineral dust aerosol can be a major driver of aerosol climatology in regions distant from the sources. This study addresses the change of columnar aerosol properties when mineral dust arrives to the Caribbean Basin after transport from Africa over the Atlantic Ocean. We use data from NASA Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) sites in five Caribbean and two West African sites to characterize changes in aerosol properties: aerosol optical depth, size distribution, single scattering albedo, and refractive indexes. After obtaining local aerosol climatology in each area, the air mass connections between West Africa and Caribbean Basin have been investigated by means of air mass back trajectories. Over the period 1996–2014 we identify 3174 connection days, on average, 167 connection days per year. Among these, 1162 pairs of data present aerosol data in Caribbean sites with corresponding aerosol observations in Western Africa sites ~5–7 days before. Of these 1162 days, 484 meet the criteria to be characterized as mineral dust outbreaks. Based on these days we observe the following changes in aerosol-related properties in transiting the Atlantic: AOD decreases about 0.16 or −30 %; the volume particle size distribution shape shows no changes; single scattering albedo, refractive indexes, and asymmetry factor remain unchanged; the difference in the effective radius in West African area with respect to Caribbean Basin is between 0 and +0.3 µm; and half of the analyzed cases present predominance of non-spherical particles in both areas.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 2935-2951 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Ripoll ◽  
M. C. Minguillón ◽  
J. Pey ◽  
J. L. Jimenez ◽  
D. A. Day ◽  
...  

Abstract. Real-time measurements of inorganic (sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, chloride and black carbon (BC)) and organic submicron aerosols (particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 1 μm) from a continental background site (Montsec, MSC, 1570 m a.s.l.) in the western Mediterranean Basin (WMB) were conducted for 10 months (July 2011–April 2012). An aerosol chemical speciation monitor (ACSM) was co-located with other online and offline PM1 measurements. Analyses of the hourly, diurnal, and seasonal variations are presented here, for the first time, for this region. Seasonal trends in PM1 components are attributed to variations in evolution of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) height, air mass origin, and meteorological conditions. In summer, the higher temperature and solar radiation increases convection, enhancing the growth of the PBL and the transport of anthropogenic pollutants towards high altitude sites. Furthermore, the regional recirculation of air masses over the WMB creates a continuous increase in the background concentrations of PM1 components and causes the formation of reservoir layers at relatively high altitudes. The combination of all these atmospheric processes results in a high variability of PM1 components, with poorly defined daily patterns, except for the organic aerosols (OA). OA was mostly composed (up to 90%) of oxygenated organic aerosol (OOA), split in two types: semivolatile (SV-OOA) and low-volatility (LV-OOA), the rest being hydrocarbon-like OA (HOA). The marked diurnal cycles of OA components regardless of the air mass origin indicates that they are not only associated with anthropogenic and long-range-transported secondary OA (SOA) but also with recently produced biogenic SOA. Very different conditions drive the aerosol phenomenology in winter at MSC. The thermal inversions and the lower vertical development of the PBL leave MSC in the free troposphere most of the day, being affected by PBL air masses only after midday, when the mountain breezes transport emissions from the adjacent valleys and plains to the top of the mountain. This results in clear diurnal patterns of both organic and inorganic concentrations. OA was also mainly composed (71%) of OOA, with contributions from HOA (5%) and biomass burning OA (BBOA; 24%). Moreover, in winter sporadic long-range transport from mainland Europe is observed. The results obtained in the present study highlight the importance of SOA formation processes at a remote site such as MSC, especially in summer. Additional research is needed to characterize the sources and processes of SOA formation at remote sites.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (17) ◽  
pp. 11123-11142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc D. Mallet ◽  
Barbara D'Anna ◽  
Aurélie Même ◽  
Maria Chiara Bove ◽  
Federico Cassola ◽  
...  

Abstract. Measurements of aerosol composition and size distributions were taken during the summer of 2013 at the remote island of Lampedusa in the southern central Mediterranean Sea. These measurements were part of the ChArMEx/ADRIMED (Chemistry and Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment/Aerosol Direct Radiative Forcing on the Mediterranean Climate) framework and took place during Special Observation Period 1a (SOP-1a) from 11 June to 5 July 2013. From compact time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (cToF-AMS) measurements in the size range below 1 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM1), particles were predominately comprised of ammonium and sulfate. On average, ammonium sulfate contributed 63 % to the non-refractory PM1 mass, followed by organics (33 %). The organic aerosol was generally very highly oxidized (f44 values were typically between 0.25 and 0.26). The contribution of ammonium sulfate was generally higher than organic aerosol in comparison to measurements taken in the western Mediterranean but is consistent with studies undertaken in the eastern basin. Source apportionment of organics using a statistical (positive matrix factorization) model revealed four factors: a hydrocarbon-like organic aerosol (HOA), a methanesulfonic-acid-related oxygenated organic aerosol (MSA-OOA), a more oxidized oxygenated organic aerosol (MO-OOA) and a less oxidized oxygenated organic aerosol (LO-OOA). The MO-OOA was the dominant factor for most of the campaign (53 % of the PM1 OA mass). It was well correlated with SO42-, highly oxidized and generally more dominant during easterly air masses originating from the eastern Mediterranean and central Europe. The LO-OOA factor had a very similar composition to the MO-OOA factor but was more prevalent during westerly winds, with air masses originating from the Atlantic Ocean, the western Mediterranean and at high altitudes over France and Spain from mistral winds. The MSA-OOA factor contributed an average 12 % to the PM1 OA and was more dominant during the mistral winds. The HOA, representing observed primary organic aerosol, only contributed 8 % of the average PM1 OA during the campaign. Even though Lampedusa is one of the most remote sites in the Mediterranean, PM1 concentrations (10 ± 5 µg m−3) were comparable to those observed in coastal cities and sites closer to continental Europe. Cleaner conditions corresponded to higher wind speeds. Nucleation and growth of new aerosol particles was observed during periods of north-westerly winds. From a climatology analysis from 1999 to 2012, these periods were much more prevalent during the measurement campaign than during the preceding 13 years. These results support previous findings that highlight the importance of different large-scale synoptic conditions in determining the regional and local aerosol composition and oxidation and also suggest that a non-polluted surface atmosphere over the Mediterranean is rare.


2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Mihajlidi-Zelić ◽  
Dragana Đorđević ◽  
Dubravka Relić ◽  
Ivana Tošić ◽  
Ljubiša Ignjatović ◽  
...  

AbstractSize-segregated aerosol samples were collected using six stages High Volume Cascade Impactor. Aerosol mass and water soluble ions concentrations were determined. The Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model was used to study the origin of air masses arriving to Belgrade in the investigated period. The obtained results of aerosol mass and water-soluble ion concentrations have been divided into six sub-data sets based on air mass categories. The highest average mass concentration of the fine mode (Dp ≤ 0.49 μm) was found for air masses coming to Belgrade from the southeast and northwest directions, and of the coarse mode (3.0 < Dp ≤7.2 μm) for air masses arriving from the northwest direction. The highest concentrations of SO


2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (21) ◽  
pp. 11753-11773 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Guirado ◽  
E. Cuevas ◽  
V. E. Cachorro ◽  
C. Toledano ◽  
S. Alonso-Pérez ◽  
...  

Abstract. More than 2 years of columnar atmospheric aerosol measurements (2006–2009) at the Tamanrasset site (22.79° N, 5.53° E, 1377 m a.s.l.), in the heart of the Sahara, are analysed. Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) level 2.0 data were used. The KCICLO (K is the name of a constant and ciclo means cycle in Spanish) method was applied to a part of the level 1.5 data series to improve the quality of the results. The annual variability of aerosol optical depth (AOD) and Ångström exponent (AE) has been found to be strongly linked to the convective boundary layer (CBL) thermodynamic features. The dry-cool season (autumn and winter) is characterized by a shallow CBL and very low mean turbidity (AOD ~ 0.09 at 440 nm, AE ~ 0.62). The wet-hot season (spring and summer) is dominated by high turbidity of coarse dust particles (AE ~ 0.28, AOD ~ 0.39 at 440 nm) and a deep CBL. The aerosol-type characterization shows desert mineral dust as the prevailing aerosol. Both pure Saharan dust and very clear sky conditions are observed depending on the season. However, several case studies indicate an anthropogenic fine mode contribution from the industrial areas in Libya and Algeria. The concentration weighted trajectory (CWT) source apportionment method was used to identify potential sources of air masses arriving at Tamanrasset at several heights for each season. Microphysical and optical properties and precipitable water vapour were also investigated.


2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 7931-7978 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Patadia ◽  
R. A. Kahn ◽  
J. A. Limbacher ◽  
S. P. Burton ◽  
R. A. Ferrare ◽  
...  

Abstract. Using Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) and sub-orbital measurements from the 2006 INTEX-B/MILAGRO field campaign, in this study we demonstrate MISR's ability to map different aerosol air mass types over the Mexico City metropolitan area. The aerosol air mass distinctions are based on shape, size and single scattering albedo retrievals from the MISR Research Aerosol Retrieval algorithm. In this region, the research algorithm identifies dust-dominated aerosol mixtures based on non-spherical particle shape, whereas spherical biomass burning and urban pollution particles are distinguished by particle size. Four distinct aerosol air masses are identified in the MISR data on 6 March 2006; these results are supported by coincident, airborne high-spectral-resolution lidar (HSRL) measurements. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) gradients are also consistent between the MISR and sub-orbital measurements, but particles having SSA558&amp;approx;0.7 must be included in the retrieval algorithm to produce good absolute AOD comparisons over pollution-dominated aerosol air masses. The MISR standard V22 AOD product, at 17.6 km resolution, captures the observed AOD gradients qualitatively, but retrievals at this coarse spatial scale and with limited spherical absorbing particle options underestimate AOD and do not retrieve particle properties adequately over this complex urban region. However, we demonstrate how AOD and aerosol type mapping can be accomplished with MISR data over urban regions, provided the retrieval is performed at sufficiently high spatial resolution, and with a rich enough set of aerosol components and mixtures.


2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 32921-32964
Author(s):  
S. Mogo ◽  
V. E. Cachorro ◽  
J. F. Lopez ◽  
E. Montilla ◽  
B. Torres ◽  
...  

Abstract. In situ measurements of aerosol optical properties were made in the summer of 2008 at the ALOMAR station facility (69°16 N, 16°00 E), located at a rural site in the north of the island of Andøya (Vesterålen archipelago), approximately 300 km north of the Arctic Circle. The extended three-month campaign was part of the POLARCAT Project (Polar Study using Aircraft, Remote Sensing, Surface Measurements and Models, of Climate, Chemistry, Aerosols, and Transport) of the International Polar Year (IPY-2007-2008). Its goal was to characterize the aerosols of this sub-Arctic area, which are frequently transported to the Arctic region. The ambient light-scattering coefficient, σs (550 nm), at ALOMAR had a measured hourly mean value of 5.41 Mm−1 (StD = 3.55 Mm−1), and the light-absorption coefficient, σa (550 nm), had a measured hourly mean value of 0.40 Mm−1 (StD = 0.27 Mm−1). The scattering/absorption Ångström exponents, αs,a, are used for a detailed analysis of the variations of the spectral shape of σs,a. Whereas αs demonstrates the presence of two particle sizes corresponding to two types of aerosols, the αa demonstrates only one type of absorbing aerosol particles. Values of αa above 1 were not observed. The single-scattering albedo, ω0, ranged from 0.62 to 0.99 (mean = 0.91, StD = 0.05), and the relationships of this property to the absorption/scattering coefficients and the Ångström exponents are presented. The concentration of the particles was monitored using a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS) and an ultrafine condensation particle counter (UCPC). The shape of the median size distribution of the particles in the submicrometer fraction was bimodal, and the submicrometer, micrometer and total concentrations presented hourly mean values of 1277 cm3 (StD = 1563 cm3), 1 cm3 (StD = 1 cm3) and 2463 cm3 (StD = 4251 cm3), respectively. The modal correlations were investigated, and the concentration of particles sized between 30 and 100 nm (Aitken mode) are presented as a function of the concentration of the particles sized between 100 and 390 nm (accumulation mode). The optical and the microphysical parameters are related to each other, and the results are presented. The origins and pathways of air masses were examined by computing the back-trajectories in a trajectory model (HYSPLIT). Six geographical sectors were defined to classify the air masses, and, based on the sector classification, the linkage between the air mass origin and the optical parameters was established. Aerosol size distributions were also evaluated in relation to the air masses. The relationships between the air mass origins and other parameters, especially those related to the single scattering albedo, allow us to describe two characteristic situations: northern and western air masses, which had predominantly marine aerosols, presented lower optical parameter values, indicating predominantly coarser and non-absorbent particles; and eastern and southern air masses, in which continental aerosols were predominant, presented higher values for all optical parameters, indicating the presence of smaller absorbent particles.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria Isola ◽  
Giovanni Zanchetta ◽  
Russell N. Drysdale ◽  
Eleonora Regattieri ◽  
Monica Bini ◽  
...  

Abstract. We present new data on the 4.2 ka event in the central Mediterranean from Corchia Cave (Tuscany, central Italy) stalagmite CC27. The stalagmite was analyzed for stable isotopes (δ13C and δ18O) and trace elements (Mg, U, P, Y), with all proxies showing a coherent phase of reduced cave recharge between ca. 4.5 and 4.1 ka BP. Based on the current climatological data on cyclogenesis, the reduction in cave recharge is considered to be associated with the weakening of the cyclone center located in the Gulf of Genoa in response to reduced advection of air masses from the Atlantic during winter. These conditions, which closely resemble a positive North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) type of configuration, are associated with cooler and wetter summers with reduced sea warming, which reduced the western Mediterranean evaporation during autumn–early winter, further reducing precipitation.


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