Climatology and trends of aerosol optical depth over the Mediterranean basin during the last 12 years (2002–2014) based on Collection 006 MODIS-Aqua data

Floutsi, Athena Augusta; Korras-Carraca, Marios-Bruno; Matsoukas, C.; Hatzianastassiou, N.; Biskos, George

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.01.192

Cited by 75 publications

(67 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…We note that 9 years are considered a small period for a robust trend calculation from their trend analysis. In comparison with studies relevant to the time period considered in this work, the DOD decrease of 0.001 yr −1 over the northern coast of Africa is in agreement with Floutsi et al (2016), who based their analysis on 12 years of MODIS-Aqua observations (2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014), reporting an average decrease of 0.003 yr −1 for the coarse mode fraction of the AOD over the broader Mediterranean Sea. Furthermore, over the same domain the decreasing trend of DOD agrees well with the decrease of Saharan desert dust episodes as reported by Gkikas et al (2013).…”

Section: Interannual Variability Of Dustsupporting

confidence: 89%

Three-dimensional evolution of Saharan dust transport towards Europe based on a 9-year EARLINET-optimized CALIPSO dataset

Marinou¹,

Amiridis²,

Binietoglou³

et al. 2017

Atmos. Chem. Phys.

154

140

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Abstract. In this study we use a new dust product developed using CALIPSO (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation) observations and EAR-LINET (European Aerosol Research Lidar Network) measurements and methods to provide a 3-D multiyear analysis on the evolution of Saharan dust over North Africa and Europe. The product uses a CALIPSO L2 backscatter product corrected with a depolarization-based method to separate pure dust in external aerosol mixtures and a Saharan dust lidar ratio (LR) based on long-term EARLINET measurements to calculate the dust extinction profiles. The methodology is applied on a 9-year CALIPSO dataset (2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015) and the results are analyzed here to reveal for the first time the 3-D dust evolution and the seasonal patterns of dust over its transportation paths from the Sahara towards the Mediterranean and Continental Europe. During spring, the spatial distribution of dust shows a uniform pattern over the Sahara desert. The dust transport over the Mediterranean Sea results in mean dust optical depth (DOD) values up to 0.1. During summer, the dust activity is mostly shifted to the western part of the desert where mean DOD near the source is up to 0.6. Elevated dust plumes with mean extinction values between 10 and 75 Mm −1 are observed throughout the year at various heights between 2 and 6 km, extending up to latitudes of 40 • N. Dust advection is identified even at latitudes of about 60 • N, but this is due to rare events of episodic nature. Dust plumes of high DOD are also observed above the Balkans during the winter period and above northwest Europe during autumn at heights between 2 and 4 km, reaching mean extinction values up to 50 Mm −1 . The dataset is considered unique with respect to its potential applications, including the evaluation of dust transport models and the estimation of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and ice nuclei (IN) concentration profiles. Finally, the product can be used to study dust dynamics during transportation, since it is capable of revealing even fine dynamical features such as the particle uplifting and deposition on European mountainous ridges such as the Alps and Carpathian Mountains.

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Section: Interannual Variability Of Dustsupporting

confidence: 89%

Three-dimensional evolution of Saharan dust transport towards Europe based on a 9-year EARLINET-optimized CALIPSO dataset

Marinou¹,

Amiridis²,

Binietoglou³

et al. 2017

Atmos. Chem. Phys.

154

140

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“…Higher temperatures and relative humidity during dry periods intensify hygroscopic growth of aerosols and gas‐to‐particle conversion process. This in turn produces more secondary aerosols resulting in high AOD (Tan et al , ; Floutsi et al , ; Kang et al , ). Temperature over EA and each of the constituting countries showed a significant increase (Figure (a)) during the entire study period, suggesting that changes in temperature could facilitate additional input of aerosol in the atmosphere.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Seven of these bands operating in near‐ultraviolet (UV), visible and near‐infrared spectroscopy (IR) wavelength regions (0.415–2.155 μm) can effectively retrieve AOD over land and ocean (Hsu et al ., ; Sayer et al ., , ) using two different algorithms: ‘Dark Target (DT)’ and ‘Deep Blue (DB)’. The two algorithms are based on Look Up Table (LUT) approach that employs pre‐defined set of aerosol types, loadings and geometries (Floutsi et al ., ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Spatial variations and trends in AOD climatology over East Africa during 2002–2016: a comparative study using three satellite data sets

Boiyo

Kumar

Zhao

2018

Intl Journal of Climatology

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Aerosol optical depth (AOD) has become one of the most crucial parameters for climate change assessment. This study presents long‐term (2002–2016) spatio‐temporal distributions and trends in AOD over East Africa (EA) retrieved from the moderate‐resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) Aqua [Dark Target (DT) and Deep Blue (DB)] and multi‐angle imaging spectroradiometer (MISR). An inter‐comparison of AODs retrieved from different algorithms noticed significant positive correlations (r = 0.72 − 0.87) with MISR underestimating MODIS. Moderate (>0.5–0.8) to high (≥0.8) correlations in AOD exhibited over EA, with a few regions representing low (0–0.5) positive correlations. The spatial patterns of annual mean AOD were generally characterized by low (<0.2), moderate (0.2–0.35) and high (>0.35) centres over EA. The seasonal mean AODs over EA were found high (low) during the local dry (wet) seasons, with annual mean (±σ) values of 0.20 ± 0.01, 0.18 ± 0.01 and 0.20 ± 0.02 as observed by DT, DB and MISR, respectively. A single peak distribution of frequencies in AOD was observed by the three sensors in the interval 0.1–0.2, signifying a generally less polluted environment dominated by particular aerosol type. Linear trend analysis revealed an increase in AOD by 0.52, 0.57 and 0.74% year−1 as detected by MISR, DT and DB, respectively, and were consistent with those noted in key meteorological parameters. Furthermore, annual and seasonal spatial trends and tendencies revealed a general increase in AOD over EA, being positive and significant over the northern part of EA. Later, classification of major aerosol types over major cities in EA revealed dominance of continental (74.47%) followed by the mixed (16.22%) and biomass‐burning/urban‐industrial (8.02%) aerosols, with minor contributions from desert dust (1.03%) and clean maritime (0.32%) type of aerosols.

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“…AOD data are obtained from MODIS Collection 6 aerosol products over land and ocean from the combined Dark Target and Deep Blue algorithm (Giglio et al, 2016; Yan et al, 2016; Floutsi et al, 2016). MODIS is chosen as the source of AOD data owing to a significant correlation between values retrieved in relationship to those at an AERONET station in the nearby city of Zanjan, Iran (36.705° N, 48.507° E) (Khoshsima et al, 2013).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of climate and synoptic fluctuations on dust storm activity over the Middle East

Namdari

Karimi

Sorooshian

et al. 2018

Atmospheric Environment

110

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Dust events in the Middle East are becoming more frequent and intense in recent years with impacts on air quality, climate, and public health. In this study, the relationship between dust, as determined from Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) and meteorological parameters (precipitation, temperature, pressure and wind field) are examined using monthly data from 2000 to 2015 for desert areas in two areas, Iraq-Syria and Saudi Arabia. Bivariate regression analysis between monthly temperature data and AOD reveals a high correlation for Saudi Arabia (R = 0.72) and Iraq-Syria (R = 0.64). Although AOD and precipitation are correlated in February, March and April, the relationship is more pronounced on annual timescales. The opposite is true for the relationship between temperature and AOD, which is evident more clearly on monthly time scales, with the highest temperatures and AOD typically between August and September. Precipitation data suggest that long-term reductions in rainfall promoted lower soil moisture and vegetative cover, leading to more intense dust emissions. Superimposed on the latter effect are more short term variations in temperature exacerbating the influence on the dust storm genesis in hot periods such as the late warm season of the year. Case study analysis of March 2012 and March 2014 shows the impact of synoptic systems on dust emissions and transport in the study region. Dust storm activity was more intense in March 2012 as compared to March 2014 due to enhanced atmospheric turbulence intensifying surface winds.

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Climatology and trends of aerosol optical depth over the Mediterranean basin during the last 12 years (2002–2014) based on Collection 006 MODIS-Aqua data

Cited by 75 publications

References 61 publications

Three-dimensional evolution of Saharan dust transport towards Europe based on a 9-year EARLINET-optimized CALIPSO dataset

Three-dimensional evolution of Saharan dust transport towards Europe based on a 9-year EARLINET-optimized CALIPSO dataset

Spatial variations and trends in AOD climatology over East Africa during 2002–2016: a comparative study using three satellite data sets

Impacts of climate and synoptic fluctuations on dust storm activity over the Middle East

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