Aircraft vertical profiles during summertime regional and Saharan dust scenarios over the north-western Mediterranean basin: aerosol optical and physical properties
<p>Accurate measurements of the horizontal and vertical distribution of atmospheric aerosol particle optical properties are key for a better understanding of their impact on the climate. Here we present the results of a measurement campaign based on instrumented flights over north-eastern Spai...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Copernicus Publications
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Online Access: | https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/21/431/2021/acp-21-431-2021.pdf |
| _version_ | 1819050925078085632 |
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| author | J. Yus-Díez J. Yus-Díez M. Ealo M. Ealo M. Pandolfi N. Perez G. Titos G. Titos G. Titos G. Močnik G. Močnik X. Querol A. Alastuey |
| author_facet | J. Yus-Díez J. Yus-Díez M. Ealo M. Ealo M. Pandolfi N. Perez G. Titos G. Titos G. Titos G. Močnik G. Močnik X. Querol A. Alastuey |
| author_sort | J. Yus-Díez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Accurate measurements of the horizontal and vertical distribution of atmospheric aerosol particle optical properties are key for a better
understanding of their impact on the climate. Here we present the results of a measurement campaign based on instrumented flights over north-eastern Spain. We measured vertical profiles of size-segregated atmospheric particulate matter (PM) mass concentrations and multi-wavelength scattering and absorption coefficients in the western Mediterranean basin (WMB). The campaign took place during typical summer conditions, characterized by the development of a vertical multi-layer structure, under both summer regional pollution episodes (REGs) and Saharan dust events (SDEs). REG patterns in the region form under high insolation and scarce precipitation in summer, favouring layering of highly aged fine-PM strata in the lower few <span class="inline-formula"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M1" display="inline" overflow="scroll" dspmath="mathml"><mrow class="unit"><mi mathvariant="normal">km</mi><mspace linebreak="nobreak" width="0.125em"/><mi mathvariant="normal">a</mi><mo>.</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">s</mi><mo>.</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">l</mi><mo>.</mo></mrow></math><span><svg:svg xmlns:svg="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="41pt" height="10pt" class="svg-formula" dspmath="mathimg" md5hash="b801dd8850054ef266f291954d0886c9"><svg:image xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="acp-21-431-2021-ie00001.svg" width="41pt" height="10pt" src="acp-21-431-2021-ie00001.png"/></svg:svg></span></span> The REG scenario prevailed during the entire measurement campaign. Additionally, African dust outbreaks and plumes from northern African wildfires influenced the study area. The vertical profiles of climate-relevant intensive optical parameters such as single-scattering albedo (SSA); the asymmetry parameter (<span class="inline-formula"><i>g</i></span>); scattering, absorption and SSA Ångström exponents (SAE, AAE and SSAAE); and PM mass scattering and absorption cross sections (MSC and MAC) were derived from the measurements. Moreover, we compared the aircraft measurements with those performed at two GAW–ACTRIS (Global Atmosphere Watch–Aerosol, Clouds and Trace Gases) surface measurement stations located in north-eastern Spain, namely Montseny (MSY; regional background) and Montsec d'Ares (MSA; remote site).</p>
<p><span id="page432"/>Airborne in situ measurements and ceilometer ground-based remote measurements identified aerosol air masses at altitudes up to more than
3.5 <span class="inline-formula"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M3" display="inline" overflow="scroll" dspmath="mathml"><mrow class="unit"><mi mathvariant="normal">km</mi><mspace linebreak="nobreak" width="0.125em"/><mi mathvariant="normal">a</mi><mo>.</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">s</mi><mo>.</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">l</mi><mo>.</mo></mrow></math><span><svg:svg xmlns:svg="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="41pt" height="10pt" class="svg-formula" dspmath="mathimg" md5hash="1131ba4fc5d7a8797866fa65a0408576"><svg:image xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="acp-21-431-2021-ie00002.svg" width="41pt" height="10pt" src="acp-21-431-2021-ie00002.png"/></svg:svg></span></span> The vertical profiles of the optical properties markedly changed according to the prevailing atmospheric scenarios. During
SDE the SAE was low along the profiles, reaching values <span class="inline-formula"><</span> 1.0 in the dust layers. Correspondingly, SSAAE was negative, and AAE reached values up
to 2.0–2.5, as a consequence of the UV absorption increased by the presence of the coarse dust particles. During REG, the SAE increased to <span class="inline-formula">></span> 2.0, and the asymmetry parameter <span class="inline-formula"><i>g</i></span> was rather low (0.5–0.6) due to the prevalence of fine PM, which was characterized by an AAE close to 1.0, suggesting a fossil fuel combustion origin. During REG, some of the layers featured larger AAE (<span class="inline-formula">></span> 1.5), relatively low SSA at 525 <span class="inline-formula">nm</span> (<span class="inline-formula"><</span> 0.85) and high MSC (<span class="inline-formula">></span> 9 <span class="inline-formula">m<sup>2</sup> g<sup>−1</sup></span>) and were associated with the influence of PM from wildfires. Overall, the SSA and MSC near the ground ranged around 0.85 and 3 <span class="inline-formula">m<sup>2</sup> g<sup>−1</sup></span>, respectively, and increased at higher altitudes, reaching values above 0.95 and up to 9 <span class="inline-formula">m<sup>2</sup> g<sup>−1</sup></span>. The PM, MSC and MAC were on average larger during REG compared to SDE due to the larger scattering and absorption efficiency of fine PM compared with dust. The SSA and MSC had quite similar vertical profiles and often both increased with height indicating the progressive shift toward PM with a larger scattering efficiency with altitude.</p>
<p>This study contributes to our understanding of regional-aerosol vertical distribution and optical properties in the WMB, and the results will be useful for improving future climate projections and remote sensing or satellite retrieval algorithms.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T11:55:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-de43dbcdaf2a43b7a1fae82727aab17d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1680-7316 1680-7324 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T11:55:47Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
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| series | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| spelling | doaj.art-de43dbcdaf2a43b7a1fae82727aab17d2022-12-21T19:04:56ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics1680-73161680-73242021-01-012143145510.5194/acp-21-431-2021Aircraft vertical profiles during summertime regional and Saharan dust scenarios over the north-western Mediterranean basin: aerosol optical and physical propertiesJ. Yus-Díez0J. Yus-Díez1M. Ealo2M. Ealo3M. Pandolfi4N. Perez5G. Titos6G. Titos7G. Titos8G. Močnik9G. Močnik10X. Querol11A. Alastuey12Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18–26, 08034, Barcelona, SpainGrup de Meteorologia, Departament de Física Aplicada, Universitat de Barcelona, C/Martí i Franquès 1, 08028, Barcelona, SpainInstitute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18–26, 08034, Barcelona, SpainGrup de Meteorologia, Departament de Física Aplicada, Universitat de Barcelona, C/Martí i Franquès 1, 08028, Barcelona, SpainInstitute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18–26, 08034, Barcelona, SpainInstitute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18–26, 08034, Barcelona, SpainInstitute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18–26, 08034, Barcelona, SpainAndalusian Inter-University Institute for Earth System Research, University of Granada, 18006, Granada, SpainDepartment of Applied Physics, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, SpainCenter for Atmospheric Research, University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska 11c, 5270 Ajdovščina, SloveniaDepartment of Condensed Matter Physics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaInstitute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18–26, 08034, Barcelona, SpainInstitute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18–26, 08034, Barcelona, Spain<p>Accurate measurements of the horizontal and vertical distribution of atmospheric aerosol particle optical properties are key for a better understanding of their impact on the climate. Here we present the results of a measurement campaign based on instrumented flights over north-eastern Spain. We measured vertical profiles of size-segregated atmospheric particulate matter (PM) mass concentrations and multi-wavelength scattering and absorption coefficients in the western Mediterranean basin (WMB). The campaign took place during typical summer conditions, characterized by the development of a vertical multi-layer structure, under both summer regional pollution episodes (REGs) and Saharan dust events (SDEs). REG patterns in the region form under high insolation and scarce precipitation in summer, favouring layering of highly aged fine-PM strata in the lower few <span class="inline-formula"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M1" display="inline" overflow="scroll" dspmath="mathml"><mrow class="unit"><mi mathvariant="normal">km</mi><mspace linebreak="nobreak" width="0.125em"/><mi mathvariant="normal">a</mi><mo>.</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">s</mi><mo>.</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">l</mi><mo>.</mo></mrow></math><span><svg:svg xmlns:svg="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="41pt" height="10pt" class="svg-formula" dspmath="mathimg" md5hash="b801dd8850054ef266f291954d0886c9"><svg:image xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="acp-21-431-2021-ie00001.svg" width="41pt" height="10pt" src="acp-21-431-2021-ie00001.png"/></svg:svg></span></span> The REG scenario prevailed during the entire measurement campaign. Additionally, African dust outbreaks and plumes from northern African wildfires influenced the study area. The vertical profiles of climate-relevant intensive optical parameters such as single-scattering albedo (SSA); the asymmetry parameter (<span class="inline-formula"><i>g</i></span>); scattering, absorption and SSA Ångström exponents (SAE, AAE and SSAAE); and PM mass scattering and absorption cross sections (MSC and MAC) were derived from the measurements. Moreover, we compared the aircraft measurements with those performed at two GAW–ACTRIS (Global Atmosphere Watch–Aerosol, Clouds and Trace Gases) surface measurement stations located in north-eastern Spain, namely Montseny (MSY; regional background) and Montsec d'Ares (MSA; remote site).</p> <p><span id="page432"/>Airborne in situ measurements and ceilometer ground-based remote measurements identified aerosol air masses at altitudes up to more than 3.5 <span class="inline-formula"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M3" display="inline" overflow="scroll" dspmath="mathml"><mrow class="unit"><mi mathvariant="normal">km</mi><mspace linebreak="nobreak" width="0.125em"/><mi mathvariant="normal">a</mi><mo>.</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">s</mi><mo>.</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">l</mi><mo>.</mo></mrow></math><span><svg:svg xmlns:svg="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="41pt" height="10pt" class="svg-formula" dspmath="mathimg" md5hash="1131ba4fc5d7a8797866fa65a0408576"><svg:image xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="acp-21-431-2021-ie00002.svg" width="41pt" height="10pt" src="acp-21-431-2021-ie00002.png"/></svg:svg></span></span> The vertical profiles of the optical properties markedly changed according to the prevailing atmospheric scenarios. During SDE the SAE was low along the profiles, reaching values <span class="inline-formula"><</span> 1.0 in the dust layers. Correspondingly, SSAAE was negative, and AAE reached values up to 2.0–2.5, as a consequence of the UV absorption increased by the presence of the coarse dust particles. During REG, the SAE increased to <span class="inline-formula">></span> 2.0, and the asymmetry parameter <span class="inline-formula"><i>g</i></span> was rather low (0.5–0.6) due to the prevalence of fine PM, which was characterized by an AAE close to 1.0, suggesting a fossil fuel combustion origin. During REG, some of the layers featured larger AAE (<span class="inline-formula">></span> 1.5), relatively low SSA at 525 <span class="inline-formula">nm</span> (<span class="inline-formula"><</span> 0.85) and high MSC (<span class="inline-formula">></span> 9 <span class="inline-formula">m<sup>2</sup> g<sup>−1</sup></span>) and were associated with the influence of PM from wildfires. Overall, the SSA and MSC near the ground ranged around 0.85 and 3 <span class="inline-formula">m<sup>2</sup> g<sup>−1</sup></span>, respectively, and increased at higher altitudes, reaching values above 0.95 and up to 9 <span class="inline-formula">m<sup>2</sup> g<sup>−1</sup></span>. The PM, MSC and MAC were on average larger during REG compared to SDE due to the larger scattering and absorption efficiency of fine PM compared with dust. The SSA and MSC had quite similar vertical profiles and often both increased with height indicating the progressive shift toward PM with a larger scattering efficiency with altitude.</p> <p>This study contributes to our understanding of regional-aerosol vertical distribution and optical properties in the WMB, and the results will be useful for improving future climate projections and remote sensing or satellite retrieval algorithms.</p>https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/21/431/2021/acp-21-431-2021.pdf |
| spellingShingle | J. Yus-Díez J. Yus-Díez M. Ealo M. Ealo M. Pandolfi N. Perez G. Titos G. Titos G. Titos G. Močnik G. Močnik X. Querol A. Alastuey Aircraft vertical profiles during summertime regional and Saharan dust scenarios over the north-western Mediterranean basin: aerosol optical and physical properties Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| title | Aircraft vertical profiles during summertime regional and Saharan dust scenarios over the north-western Mediterranean basin: aerosol optical and physical properties |
| title_full | Aircraft vertical profiles during summertime regional and Saharan dust scenarios over the north-western Mediterranean basin: aerosol optical and physical properties |
| title_fullStr | Aircraft vertical profiles during summertime regional and Saharan dust scenarios over the north-western Mediterranean basin: aerosol optical and physical properties |
| title_full_unstemmed | Aircraft vertical profiles during summertime regional and Saharan dust scenarios over the north-western Mediterranean basin: aerosol optical and physical properties |
| title_short | Aircraft vertical profiles during summertime regional and Saharan dust scenarios over the north-western Mediterranean basin: aerosol optical and physical properties |
| title_sort | aircraft vertical profiles during summertime regional and saharan dust scenarios over the north western mediterranean basin aerosol optical and physical properties |
| url | https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/21/431/2021/acp-21-431-2021.pdf |
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