A sea spray generation function for fetch-limited conditions

This paper presents a sea spray generation function for aerosols produced by bubbles bursting that accounts for the effects of fetch. This is achieved by introducing a fetch-dependent model for the whitecap fraction, which is valid for fetch-limited conditions, i.e. steady-state conditions of the wave field in the whitecap droplet flux derived by Monahan et al. (1986). The aerosol generation fluxes calculated by this method show an enhancement of the aerosol production with increasing fetch. However, the predicted generation fluxes are lower than those calculated by using the classical model for the whitecap fraction proposed by Monahan and O’Muircheartaigh (1980). The results are then compared to aerosol size distributions measured in a Mediterranean coastal site at various fetch lengths. The data confirm the role of fetch, through its influence on marine aerosol generation and subsequent particle dispersion. The aerosol size distributions are divided into "fine" and "coarse" fractions. Submicrometer particles decrease in concentration at larger fetch, while the concentrations of super micron aerosols increase with increasing fetch.Key words. Atmospheric composition and structure (aerosols and particles) Meteorology and atmospheric dynamics (waves and ties) Oceanography: physical (air-sea interactions

The Advanced Navy Aerosol Model (ANAM): validation of small-particle modes

International audienc

Aerosol extinction in coastal zone

The performance of electro-optical systems can be substantially affected by aerosol particles that scatter and absorb electromagnetic radiation. A few years ago, an empirical model was developed describing the aerosol size distributions in the Mediterranean coastal atmosphere near Toulon (France). This model has been coupled with Mie theory to yield the code MEDEX (MEDiterranean Extinction) for the aerosol extinction. This contribution deals with the evaluation of MEDEX for aerosol data recorded near the Black Sea coast. For this site, MEDEX correctly predicts the aerosol extinction as function of wavelength, albeit with minor discrepancies below one micron. These differences are attributed to the uncertainty in predicting the concentrations of submicron particles. The comparison shows that MEDEX may be more generally applicable than to the Toulon area

Sea spray aerosol and wave energy dissipation in the surf zone

Results from a quantitative model for the prediction of the sea-salt mass flux produced in the surf zone are presented in this paper. The model relates the surf zone sea salt mass flux to the amount of wave energy dissipated in the surf zone. In order to apply this aerosol emission model, a wave numerical model is required to obtain estimates for the total wave energy dissipated in the surf zone, as well as for the width of the surf zone. In the present work, we show using different wave models that the aerosol emission model is not sensitive to the details of the formulation of the wave model, provided a clear definition for the width of surf zone is adopted and the calibration of the numerical models is properly done

Aerosol remote sensing over the ocean using MSG-SEVIRI visible images

Satellite detection of aerosol properties