A Decade of Poland-AOD Aerosol Research Network Observations

Abstract

The Poland-AOD aerosol research network was established in 2011 to improve aerosol–climate interaction knowledge and provide a real-time and historical, comprehensive, and quantitative database for the aerosol optical properties distribution over Poland. The network consists of research institutions and private owners operating 10 measurement stations and an organization responsible for aerosol model transport simulations. Poland-AOD collaboration provides observations of spectral aerosol optical depth (AOD), Ångstrom Exponent (AE), incoming shortwave (SW) and longwave (LW) radiation fluxes, vertical profiles of aerosol optical properties and surface aerosol scattering and absorption coefficient, as well as microphysical particle properties. Based on the radiative transfer model (RTM), the aerosol radiative forcing (ARF) and the heating rate are simulated. In addition, results from GEM-AQ and WRF-Chem models (e.g., aerosol mass mixing ratio and optical properties for several particle chemical components), and HYSPLIT back-trajectories are used to interpret the results of observation and to describe the 3D aerosol optical properties distribution. Results of Poland-AOD research indicate progressive improvement of air quality and at mospheric turbidity during the last decade. The AOD was reduced by about 0.02/10 yr (at 550 nm), which corresponds to positive trends in ARF. The estimated clear-sky ARF trend is 0.34 W/m2/10 yr and 0.68 W/m2/10 yr, respectively, at TOA and at Earth’s surface. Therefore, reduction in aerosol load observed in Poland can significantly contribute to climate warming.

Comparison of the Performance of the GRASP and MERRA2 Models in Reproducing Tropospheric Aerosol Layers

“…The sources of aerosol advection to this region are identified to be biomass-burning aerosols from the Belarusian-Ukrainian border, urban/industrial aerosols from Slovakia and northern Hungary, continental aerosols from western Poland and eastern Germany, and maritime aerosols from the Baltic and North Atlantic seas [16,40]. Therefore, the station is at a hotspot of high aerosol loading for the region, as shown by [16,41].…”

Consistency of Aerosol Optical Properties between MODIS Satellite Retrievals and AERONET over a 14-Year Period in Central–East Europe

“…Studies investigating the atmosphere over large cities were carried out: Evgenieva et al (2009) studied atmospheric aerosol optical characteristics over Sofia [36]; Stefanie et al (2023) described the temporal variation of aerosol optical properties over Cluj-Napoca [37]; Posyniak et al (2016) examined the long-term variability of aerosol optical thickness over Belsk [38]; Elansky et al (2018) studied air quality and pollutant emissions [39], while Chubarova et al (2016) investigated the temporal variability of the AOD in the Moscow region [40]; and Rupakheti et al (2023) studied aerosol optical properties over Chisinau, Moldova, over two decades [41]. Aerosol-climate interactions were discussed by Markowicz et al (2021), while Filonchyk et al (2021) showed the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on air quality over Poland [42,43]. Nevertheless, studies of temporal and spatial aerosol distribution in the whole region are very limited [44][45][46][47], demonstrating the need of further integrative studies.…”

Variation of Aerosol Optical Properties over Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Based on 10 Years of AERONET Data and MODIS MAIAC AOD Product

“…AERONET long-term measurements were also used to determine the climate impacts of aerosols. Markowicz et al (2021), studied the climate interaction trends of aerosols distributed over Poland and their effects on incoming radiation fluxes, using a 10-year AERONET dataset [17]. Damiano et al (2022) characterized the columnar aerosol optical and microphysical properties to determine the prevailing aerosol type in the Naples Mediterranean area, using an AERONET dataset from a 5-year period [18].…”