Analysis of aerosol absorption properties and transport over North Africa and the Middle East using AERONET data

Abstract

Abstract. In this paper particle categorization and absorption properties were discussed to understand transport mechanisms at different geographic locations and possible radiative impacts on climate. The long-term Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) data set (1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015) is used to estimate aerosol optical depth (AOD), single scattering albedo (SSA), and the absorption Ångström exponent (α abs ) at eight locations in North Africa and the Middle East. Average variation in SSA is calculated at four wavelengths (440, 675, 870, and 1020 nm), and the relationship between aerosol absorption and physical properties is used to infer dominant aerosol types at different locations. It was found that seasonality and geographic location play a major role in identifying dominant aerosol types at each location. Analyzing aerosol characteristics among different sites using AERONET Version 2, Level 2.0 data retrievals and the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model (HYSPLIT) backward trajectories shows possible aerosol particle transport among different locations indicating the importance of understanding transport mechanisms in identifying aerosol sources.

Morphological and Chemical Properties of Particulate Matter in the Dammam Metropolitan Region: Dhahran, Khobar, and Dammam, Saudi Arabia

“…It was found that the average daily concentrations in Dhahran, Khobar, and Dammam are ∼177 g/m 3 , 379 g/m 3 , and 126 g/m 3 , respectively. Particles shapes were found to vary from irregular, platy, spherical, rod-like, and angular.…”

“…Equivalent Aerodynamic Diameters (EAD) method is the basic technique used to classify PM [1], where particles could be classified into PM 10 , PM 2.5 , and PM 1.0 representing their 10, 2.5, and 1 m sizes, respectively [2,3]. PM 10 particles are referred to as "inhalables" and usually trapped in mucus linings and may cause significant health effects to the respiratory system.…”

“…Numerous studies investigated PM categorization over the Arabian Peninsula and the Mideastern region using airborne and Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) ground observations [2,3,16]; however ground observations are very limited due to the existence of only two AERONET stations in Saudi Arabia, namely, the Solar Village (24 ∘ N, 46 ∘ E) and KACST (22 ∘ N, 39 ∘ E). Hussein et al [17] carried out a study, in Jeddah's urban atmosphere, on the concentration of particles heavier than one-quarter of a micron and particulate matter, during the year 2012.…”

Long-Term Aerosol Trends and Variability over Central Saudi Arabia Using Optical Characteristics from Solar Village AERONET Measurements

“…Due to a lack of rainfall, the role of precipitation is limited in affecting aerosol characteristics over KSA; however, dust transport and local anthropogenic emissions play a major role in influencing aerosol properties. Moreover, the satellite and ground-based data reveal that the pronounced increase in aerosol loadings is due to the increase in anthropogenic activities over the central and eastern regions of KSA [6,8].…”

“…The large increase in anthropogenic aerosols over KSA has a significant impact on the regional climate and on human health [4,5]. Detailed aerosol categorization across several Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) stations located in the Middle East and North Africa during the period 1995-2015 was investigated in [6]. The dominance of aerosol particles associated with major dust events at different locations over KSA was observed.…”