Description
The largest uncertainties in climate prediction models are associated with uncertainties in current knowledge of atmospheric aerosol and their interactions. Reducing the uncertainties implies greater precision in the knowledge of the aerosol optical properties. The improvement of the optical properties requires an adequate characterization of the phase functions of air samples. The aim of these campaigns is to contribute to the phase functions of non-spherical atmospheric particles at various wavelengths and for polarized light using polar nephelometry. The focus will be on mineral dust intrusions and pollen episodes that take place in Andalusia, whose intensity and frequency in our region seem to be increasing.
The main novelty during these campaigns will be the installation of a polar nephelometer capable to measure phase functions in UV, visible and near IR including polarized light.
Calendar
From February to October 2022.
AGORA instrumentation
- In-situ instruments:
- Rapid-e for measuring the scattering pattern and fluorescence of individual particles and detecting pollen types.
- Polar Nephelometer: angular distribution of scattered light by atmospheric aerosol for wavelengths covering from ultraviolet to infrared.
- MAAP-Multi Angle Absorption Photometer (MAAP): the absorption coefficient of ambient air samples at 670 nm
- Nephelometer (TSI, model 3563): the integrated scattering coefficient and the hemispherical backscattering coefficient at wavelengths 450, 550 and 700 nm.
- Aethalometer (Magee, AE33): the absorption properties of air samples at different wavelengths in the range 370-950 nm.
- APS (Aerodynamic Particle Sizer), Model 3321 TSI: the size distributions of particles in the range of aerodynamic diameters between 0.5 and 20 µm.
- SMPS (Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer Spectrometer, TSI): the size distribution of nanometric particles in the range 4-500 nm.
- ACSM (Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor): the particles load and its chemical composition in real time for non-refractory submicron particles.
- High Volume Collectors (CAV-A/MSb): to analyze the chemical properties of the particles deposited on the filters to determine the concentrations of various elements of interest (Ca, S, Al, Fe, V, K, Ti, Na, Mg, Mn, Pb, Sr, Ba, Zn, Cu, Cr, As, P, Ni, Co, SO42-, Cl-, NO3-, NH4+).
- Remote sensing instruments currently available at UGR station:
- Multispectral Raman lidar system: vertical distribution of the atmospheric aerosol, in particular profiles of the backscattering and extinction coefficients. In addition, the aerosol depolarization coefficients will be obtained.
- Ceilometer (CHM 15k, Jenoptik), that emits at 1064 nm and allows to know continuously the height of the aerosol and clouds.
- Lidar Doppler (Halo Photonics): vertical wind profile (speed and direction).
- Microwave radiometer (HATPRO G2, RPG): temperature and humidity profilers.
- Photometer solar/lunar (CIMEL CE-318-T): columnar integrated atmospheric aerosol properties. The instruments operate on the AERONET network.