Saharan dust absorption and refractive index from aircraft-based observations during SAMUM 2006

During the Saharan Mineral Dust Experiment (SAMUM) conducted in summer 2006 in southeast Morocco, the complex refractive index of desert dust was determined from airborne measurements of particle size distributions and aerosol absorption coefficients at three different wavelengths in the blue (467 nm), green (530 nm) and red (660 nm) spectral regions. The vertical structure of the dust layers was analysed by an airborne high spectral resolution lidar (HSRL). The origin of the investigated dust layers was estimated from trajectory analyses, combined with Meteosat 2nd Generation (MSG) scenes and wind field data analyses. The real part n of the dust refractive index was found almost constant with values between 1.55 and 1.56, independent of the wavelength. The values of the imaginary part k varied between the blue and red spectral regions by a factor of three to ten depending on the dust source region. Absolute values of k ranged from 3.1 × 10⁻³ to 5.2 × 10⁻³ at 450 nm and from 0.3 × 10⁻³ to 2.5 × 10⁻³ at 700 nm. Groupings of k values could be attributed to different source regions.     

Spectral surface albedo over Morocco and its impact on radiative forcing of Saharan dust

In May–June 2006, airborne and ground-based solar (0.3–2.2 μm) and thermal infrared (4–42 μm) radiation measurements have been performed in Morocco within the Saharan Mineral Dust Experiment (SAMUM). Upwelling and downwelling solar irradiances have been measured using the Spectral Modular Airborne Radiation Measurement System (SMART)-Albedometer. With these data, the areal spectral surface albedo for typical surface types in southeastern Morocco was derived from airborne measurements for the first time. The results are compared to the surface albedo retrieved from collocated satellite measurements, and partly considerable deviations are observed. Using measured surface and atmospheric properties, the spectral and broad-band dust radiative forcing at top-of-atmosphere (TOA) and at the surface has been estimated. The impact of the surface albedo on the solar radiative forcing of Saharan dust is quantified. In the SAMUM case of 19 May 2006, TOA solar radiative forcing varies by 12 W m⁻² per 0.1 surface-albedo change. For the thermal infrared component, values of up to +22 W m⁻² were derived. The net (solar plus thermal infrared) TOA radiative forcing varies between −19 and +24 W m⁻² for a broad-band solar surface albedo of 0.0 and 0.32, respectively. Over the bright surface of southeastern Morocco, the Saharan dust always has a net warming effect.     

Airborne measurements of dust layer properties, particle size distribution and mixing state of Saharan dust during SAMUM 2006

The Saharan Mineral Dust Experiment (SAMUM) was conducted in May/June 2006 in southern Morocco. As part of SAMUM, airborne in situ measurements of the particle size distribution in the diameter range 4 nm < D _p < 100 μm were conducted. The aerosol mixing state was determined below D _p < 2.5 μm. Furthermore, the vertical structure of the dust layers was investigated with a nadir-looking high spectral resolution lidar (HSRL). The desert dust aerosol exhibited two size regimes of different mixing states: below 0.5 μm, the particles had a non-volatile core and a volatile coating; larger particles above 0.5 μm consisted of non-volatile components and contained light absorbing material. In all cases, particles larger than 10 μm were present, and in 80% of the measurements no particles larger than 40 μm were present. The abundance of large particles showed almost no height dependence. The effective diameter D _eff in the dust plumes investigated showed two main ranges: the first range of D _eff peaked around 5 μm and the second range of D _eff around 8 μm. The two ranges of D _eff suggest that it may be inadequate to use one average effective diameter or one parametrization for a typical dust size distribution.     

Depolarization ratio profiling at several wavelengths in pure Saharan dust during SAMUM 2006

Vertical profiles of the linear particle depolarization ratio of pure dust clouds were measured during the Saharan Mineral Dust Experiment (SAMUM) at Ouarzazate, Morocco (30.9°N, –6.9°E), close to source regions in May–June 2006, with four lidar systems at four wavelengths (355, 532, 710 and 1064 nm). The intercomparison of the lidar systems is accompanied by a discussion of the different calibration methods, including a new, advanced method, and a detailed error analysis. Over the whole SAMUM periode pure dust layers show a mean linear particle depolarization ratio at 532 nm of 0.31, in the range between 0.27 and 0.35, with a mean Ångström exponent (AE, 440–870 nm) of 0.18 (range 0.04–0.34) and still high mean linear particle depolarization ratio between 0.21 and 0.25 during periods with aerosol optical thickness less than 0.1, with a mean AE of 0.76 (range 0.65–1.00), which represents a negative correlation of the linear particle depolarization ratio with the AE. A slight decrease of the linear particle depolarization ratio with wavelength was found between 532 and 1064 nm from 0.31 ± 0.03 to 0.27 ± 0.04.     

Vertical profiling of Saharan dust with Raman lidars and airborne HSRL in southern Morocco during SAMUM

Three ground-based Raman lidars and an airborne high-spectral-resolution lidar (HSRL) were operated during SAMUM 2006 in southern Morocco to measure height profiles of the volume extinction coefficient, the extinction-to-backscatter ratio and the depolarization ratio of dust particles in the Saharan dust layer at several wavelengths. Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) Sun photometer observations and radiosoundings of meteorological parameters complemented the ground-based activities at the SAMUM station of Ouarzazate. Four case studies are presented. Two case studies deal with the comparison of observations of the three ground-based lidars during a heavy dust outbreak and of the ground-based lidars with the airborne lidar. Two further cases show profile observations during satellite overpasses on 19 May and 4 June 2006. The height resolved statistical analysis reveals that the dust layer top typically reaches 4–6 km height above sea level (a.s.l.), sometimes even 7 km a.s.l.. Usually, a vertically inhomogeneous dust plume with internal dust layers was observed in the morning before the evolution of the boundary layer started. The Saharan dust layer was well mixed in the early evening. The 500 nm dust optical depth ranged from 0.2–0.8 at the field site south of the High Atlas mountains, Ångström exponents derived from photometer and lidar data were between 0–0.4. The volume extinction coefficients (355, 532 nm) varied from 30–300 Mm⁻¹ with a mean value of 100 Mm⁻¹ in the lowest 4 km a.s.l.. On average, extinction-to-backscatter ratios of 53–55 sr (±7–13 sr) were obtained at 355, 532 and 1064 nm.     

Spectral aerosol optical depth characterization of desert dust during SAMUM 2006

The aerosol optical depth (AOD) in the range 340–1550 nm was monitored at Ouarzazate (Morocco) during the Saharan Mineral Dust Experiment (SAMUM) experiment in May–June 2006. Two different sun photometers were used for this purpose. The mean AOD at 500 nm was 0.28, with a maximum of 0.83, and the mean Ångström exponent (AE) was 0.35. The aerosol content over the site changed alternatively from very low turbidity, associated to Atlantic air masses, to moderate dust load, associated to air masses arriving in the site from Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. The dusty conditions were predominant in the measurement period (78% of data), with AOD (500 nm) above 0.15 and AE below 0.4. The spectral features of the AOD under dusty conditions are discussed. Air mass back trajectory analysis is carried out to investigate the origin and height patterns of the dust loaded air masses. The advection of dust occurred mainly at atmospheric heights below 3000 m, where east flow is the predominant. At the 5000 m level, the air masses originate mainly over the Atlantic Ocean. Finally the Optical Properties of Aerosols and Clouds (OPAC) model is used to perform a set of simulations with different aerosol mixtures to illustrate the measured AOD and AE values under varying dust concentrations, and a brief comparison with other measurement sites is presented.     

Spatial distribution and optical properties of Saharan dust observed by airborne high spectral resolution lidar during SAMUM 2006

Airborne measurements of pure Saharan dust extinction and backscatter coefficients, the corresponding lidar ratio and the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) have been performed during the Saharan Mineral Dust Experiment 2006, with a high spectral resolution lidar. Dust layers were found to range from ground up to 4–6 km above sea level (asl). Maximum AOT values at 532 nm, encountered within these layers during the DLR Falcon research flights were 0.50–0.55. A significant horizontal variability of the AOT south of the High Atlas mountain range was observed even in cases of a well-mixed dust layer. High vertical variations of the dust lidar ratio of 38–50 sr were observed in cases of stratified dust layers. The variability of the lidar ratio was attributed to dust advection from different source regions. The aerosol depolarization ratio was about 30% at 532 nm during all measurements and showed only marginal vertical variations.     

Scattering and absorption coefficients of aerosols in a semi-arid area in China: Diurnal cycle, seasonal variability and dust events

The authors investigated variations of aerosol scattering and absorptive properties in a semi-arid climate Observatory in the Inner Mongolia of China and factors affecting the variation. They use integrated nephelometer and aethalometer observations collected in 2005 and 2006 at the Silinhot Observatory. The results are as follows. 1) in autumn and winter, the diurnal cycle of scattering coefficient exhibited a clear bi-modal variation, and the scattering coefficient was indicative of the type of sandy weather. 2) The concentration of black carbon (BC) aerosols was much higher in winter than in the other seasons with an evident bimodal diurnal variation. 3) When the wind speed was lower than 3.5 m s^?1, the dilution effect of air evidently influenced the scattering coefficient and BC mass concentration; for the wind speed above 3.5 m s^?1, there appeared to be little correlation between wind speed and scattering coefficient or BC mass concentration. 4) Atmospheric visibility calculated from the aerosol scattering and absorptive coefficients was in good agreement with the direct observation of visibility. 5) Absorption by aerosols accounted for 25% of the total extinction in December.     

Impact of Saharan dust on PM10 concentration in the Mediterranean Tunisian coasts

This paper presents samples of Saharan dust outbreak affecting the Mediterranean Tunisian coasts and its impact on PM10 (Particles with an aerodynamic diameter below 10 µm) surface concentrations measured at seven monitoring stations during summer 2006. During the events, the daily PM10 levels at all stations exceeded EU and Tunisian air quality standard limits which are equal to 50 µg/m³. The maximum values ranged from 200 µg/m³ to 300 µg/m³ depending on the monitoring station. The impact is even more dramatic on PM10 hourly concentrations leading to maximum hourly peaks ranging from 400 µg/m³ to 850 µg/m³ again depending on the monitoring station (industrial or residential, traffic and commercial). Comparison between backward air masses trajectories reaching Tunisian coasts and satellite imageries vis-à-vis the PM10 hourly concentrations measured at the monitoring stations during 2006 evidenced the influence of the Saharan dust outbreaks on surface concentrations. The origin of the air masses is found to be from South-West direction under the influence of air masses from the Algerian Saharan desert.     

中国东部若干地区大气气溶胶虚折射指数特征

利用直接取样和积分片方法对大气气溶胶的折射指数虚部n_i进行了大量的实际测量。根据测量结果,给出了中国东部不同类型地区气溶胶n_i的统计特征:城市地区为0.080;郊区为0.063;乡村地区为0.030;高山为0.012;南海区域为0.006。城市和郊区的n_i值,冬半年(11月至次年的5月)比夏半年(6月至10月)大,12月份的n_i为极大值。除南海外,中国东部各类地区的n_i值比国外同类地区偏大,这与把煤炭作为主要能源造成的燃煤烟尘污染有关。     

Numerical simulations of optical properties of Saharan dust aerosols with emphasis on lidar applications

In the framework of the Saharan Mineral Dust Experiment (SAMUM) for the first time the spectral dependence of particle linear depolarization ratios was measured by combining four lidar systems. In this paper these measurements are compared with results from scattering theory based on the T-matrix method. For this purpose, in situ measurements—size distribution, shape distribution and refractive index—were used as input parameters; particle shape was approximated by spheroids. A sensitivity study showed that lidar-related parameters—lidar ratio   S _p   and linear depolarization ratio  δ _p   —are very sensitive to changes of all parameters. The simulated values of the  δ _p   are in the range of 20% and 31% and thus in the range of the measurements. The spectral dependence is weak, so that it could not be resolved by the measurements. Calculated lidar ratios based on the measured microphysics and considering equivalent radii up to 7.5 μm show a range of possible values between 29 and 50 sr at  λ= 532 nm  . Larger   S _p   might be possible if the real part of the refractive index is small and the imaginary part is large. A strict validation was however not possible as too many microphysical parameters influence   S _p   and  δ _p   that could not be measured with the required accuracy.     

Influence of the Saharan Air Layer on Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Formation during the Period 1-12 September 2003

Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) data show that the Saharan air layer (SAL) is a dry, warm, and well-mixed layer between 950 and 500 hPa over the tropical Atlantic, extending westward from the African coast to the Caribbean Sea. The formations of both Hurricane Isabel and Tropical Depression 14 (TD14) were accompanied with outbreaks of SAL air during the period 1-12 September 2003, although TD14 failed to develop into a named tropical cyclone. The influence of the SAL on their formations is investigated ...     

Influence of the Saharan Air Layer on Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Formation during the Period 1--12 September 2003

Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) data show that the Saharan air layer (SAL) is a dry, warm, and well-mixed layer between 950 and 500 hPa over the tropical Atlantic, extending westward from the African coast to the Caribbean Sea. The formations of both Hurricane Isabel and Tropical Depression 14 (TD14) were accompanied with outbreaks of SAL air during the period 1-12 September 2003, although TD14 failed to develop into a named tropical cyclone. The influence of the SAL on their formations is investigated by examining data from satellite observations and numerical simulations, in which AIRS data are incorporated into the MM5 model through the nudging technique. Analyses of the AIRS and simulation data suggest that the SAL may have played two roles in the formation of tropical cyclones during the period 1-12 September 2003. First, the outbreaks of SAL air on 3 and 8 September enhanced the transverse-vertical circulation with the rising motion along the southern edge of the SAL and the sinking motion inside the SAL, triggering the development of two tropical disturbances associated with Hurricane Isabel and TD14. Second, in addition to the reduced environmental humidity and enhanced static stability in the lower troposphere, the SAL dry air intruded into the inner region of these tropical disturbances as their cyclonic ?ows became strong. This effect may have slowed down the formation of Isabel and inhibited TD14 becoming a named tropical cyclone, while the enhanced vertical shear contributed little to tropical cyclone formation during this period. The 48-h trajectory calculations confirm that the parcels from the SAL can be transported into the inner region of an incipient tropical cyclone.     

Aerosol absorption optical depth of fine-mode mineral dust in eastern China

由气溶胶自动观测网(AERONET)反演的细模态气溶胶的吸收光学厚度(AAOD)通常被认为是黑碳气溶胶的AAOD,并且通过这种方法得到的黑碳AAOD已经被用在计算黑碳辐射强迫的研究中。但是这种方法是基于如下假设:直径小于1μm的细模态气溶胶和直径大于1μm的粗模态气溶胶对光的吸收主要分别归功于黑碳和沙尘。为了定量描述细模态沙尘气溶胶对全部细模态气溶胶的AAOD的贡献,我们利用地球系统交互模式(CESM)模拟了中国东部(104–122°E,29–41°N)细模态沙尘气溶胶的AAOD。其中,我们根据9个中国气象局大气观测网(CAWNET)站点观测的细模态沙尘地表浓度调整了模拟的细模态沙尘气溶胶的浓度。结果显示,模拟的中国东部年平均细模态沙尘气溶胶的AAOD的值为3.6×10-3,其中AAOD的最大和最小值分别出现在春季和冬季。细模态沙尘气溶胶对总的细模态气溶胶(细模态沙尘、黑碳和有机碳气溶胶的总和)的AAOD的贡献在春季、夏季、秋季和冬季分别为3.4%、25.2%、12.5%和14.9%,其年平均值为15.1%。这些结果显示当利用AERONET反演得到的细模态气溶胶的AAOD来计算中国东部BC气溶胶的辐射强迫时,去除细模态沙尘粒子的影响显得尤为重要。     

Recalibration of the hohenpeissenberg dobson spectrophotometer 104 presuming ‘effective absorption coefficients’

The well calibrated Brewer spectrophotometer 17 (Sci-Tec Instruments Inc., Canada) stayed at the Meteorological Observatory Hohenpeissenberg (MOHP) from August 27 until September 1, 1984, in order to check and recalibrate Brewer 10, which had some stability problems. Brewer 17 was initially calibrated in July 1983, the validity of this calibration was repeatedly verified before and after the stay at the MOHP (Kerr et al., 1985; Kerr, 1984). The instrument proved itself to be very stable and appropriate as travellings standard instrument.As Dobson 104 didn't seem to be well calibrated at that time, the occasion was taken to perform also a Dobson recalibration. The methods normally used were not satisfactory, but a different method, presuming Effective Absorption Coefficients (EAC), presented by Kerr et al. at the Quadrennial Ozone Symposium 1984 in Greece, yielded encouraging results. Before recalibration Dobson 104 showed a difference of 2–3% in comparison to Brewer 10-, Brewer 17- and TOMS- (on satellite Nimbus 7) measurements, whereas the agreement with the Brewers after EAC-calibration was good (X _rel < 1%). The different Dobson calibration methods are compared and the results of the Dobson 104 and Brewer 10 recalibrations are presented.

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Zusammenfassung Vom 27. August bis 1. September 1984 befand sich das Brewer Standard Spektrophotometer 17 (Sci-Tec Instruments Inc., Canada) am Meteorologischen Observatorium Hohenpeißenberg (MOHP), um den nicht sehr stabilen Brewer 10 zu überprüfen und neu zu kalibrieren. Der Brewer 17 wurde erstmals im Juli 1983 kalibriert, die Gültigkeit dieser Eichung wurde mehrfach vor und einmal nach dem Aufenthalt am MOHP bestätigt (Kerr et al., 1985; Kerr, 1984). Das Instrument erwies sich als sehr stabil und geeignet als transportables Standardinstrument.Da der Dobson 104 zum damaligen Zeipunkt ebenfalls nicht gut kalibriert schien, wurde die Gelegenheit einer Dobson-Neukalibrierung wahrgenommen. Die normalerweise benutzten Methoden waren nicht zufriedenstellend im Gegensatz zu einer Methode, die von Effektiven Absorption Coeffizienten (EAC) ausgeht. Diese von Kerr et al. auf dem Quadrennial Ozon Symposium 1984 in Griechenland vorgestellte Methode lieferte hier ermutigende Ergebnisse. Vor der Neueichung zeigte der Dobson 104 eine Differenz von etwa 2–3% im Vergleich mit Brewer 10-, Brewer 17- und TOMS- (auf dem Nimbus-7-Satelliten) Messungen, während die Übereinstimmung mit den Brewer-Geräten nach der EAC-Kalibrierung gut war (X _rel < 1%). Die verschiedenen Dobson-Kalibrierungsmethoden werden verglichen und Ergebnisse der Dobson 104- und Brewer 10-Neukalibrierungen werden vorgestellt.