Effect of wind speed on aerosol optical depth over remote oceans, based on data from the Maritime Aerosol Network

The Maritime Aerosol Network (MAN) has been collecting data over the oceans since November 2006. The MAN archive provides a valuable resource for aerosol studies in maritime environments. In the current paper we investigate correlations between ship-borne aerosol optical depth (AOD) and near-surface wind speed, either measured (onboard or from satellite) or modeled (NCEP). According to our analysis, wind speed influences columnar aerosol optical depth, although the slope of the linear regression between AOD and wind speed is not steep (~0.004–0.005), even for strong winds over 10 m s−1. The relationships show significant scatter (correlation coefficients typically in the range 0.3–0.5); the majority of this scatter can be explained by the uncertainty on the input data. The various wind speed sources considered yield similar patterns. Results are in good agreement with the majority of previously published relationships between surface wind speed and ship-based or satellite-based AOD measurements. The basic relationships are similar for all the wind speed sources considered; however, the gradient of the relationship varies by around a factor of two depending on the wind data used

Maritime aerosol network as a component of AERONET - First results and comparison with global aerosol models and satellite retrievals

The Maritime Aerosol Network (MAN) has been collecting data over the oceans since November 2006. Over 80 cruises were completed through early 2010 with deployments continuing. Measurement areas included various parts of the Atlantic Ocean, the Northern and Southern Pacific Ocean, the South Indian Ocean, the Southern Ocean, the Arctic Ocean and inland seas. MAN deploys Microtops hand-held sunphotometers and utilizes a calibration procedure and data processing traceable to AERONET. Data collection included areas that previously had no aerosol optical depth (AOD) coverage at all, particularly vast areas of the Southern Ocean. The MAN data archive provides a valuable resource for aerosol studies in maritime environments. In the current paper we present results of AOD measurements over the oceans, and make a comparison with satellite AOD retrievals and model simulations

Complex Aerosol Experiment in Western Siberia (April – October 2013)

The primary project objective was to accomplish the Complex Aerosol Experiment, during which the aerosol properties should be measured in the near-ground layer and free atmosphere. Three measurement cycles were performed during the project implementation: in spring period (April), when the maximum of aerosol generation is observed; in summer (July), when atmospheric boundary layer height and mixing layer height are maximal; and in late summer – early autumn (October), when the secondary particle nucleation period is recorded. Numerical calculations were compared with measurements of fluxes of downward solar radiation. It was shown that the relative differences between model and experimental values of fluxes of direct and total radiation, on the average, do not exceed 1% and 3% respectively

Complex Aerosol Experiment in Western Siberia (April – October 2013)

The primary project objective was to accomplish the Complex Aerosol Experiment, during which the aerosol properties should be measured in the near-ground layer and free atmosphere. Three measurement cycles were performed during the project implementation: in spring period (April), when the maximum of aerosol generation is observed; in summer (July), when atmospheric boundary layer height and mixing layer height are maximal; and in late summer – early autumn (October), when the secondary particle nucleation period is recorded. Numerical calculations were compared with measurements of fluxes of downward solar radiation. It was shown that the relative differences between model and experimental values of fluxes of direct and total radiation, on the average, do not exceed 1% and 3% respectively