Aerosol Radiative properties

Earlier work has focused on analysis of the effect of the real and imaginary index of refraction and aerosol particle size distribution upon extinction, scattering and absorption in the atmosphere. Relatively recent work involved the propagation of electromagnetic radiation through aerosol and cloud media in the laboratory, using visible and middle IR (using a CO₂ laser) wavelengths.

 The field research programme is focused on the measurement of black carbon absorption (and mass concentration), ongoing since 1989. The seasonal and air mass influence on black carbon levels are being investigated. Measurements of aerosol scattering coefficient have recently (since summer 1997) been investigated at Mace Head. Recent relevant publications arising from the work are given.

A new generation sunphotometer called a Precision Filter Radiometer (PFR) was installed at the site in early July, 1999. The PFR is designed, tested and calibrated by the World Optical Depth Research and Calibration Centre (WORCC) at Physikalisch Meteorologisches Observatorium, Davos, Switzerland, funded by the Swiss Federal Government as a contribution to the World Meteorological Organisation, Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) programme. Mace Head is one of three initial GAW global sites to be equipped with PFR instrumentation. Aerosol optical depth measurement is determined using the PFR, which is mounted on a Brusag solar tracker.

References:

O'Dowd, CD. On the spatial extent and evolution of coastal aerosol plumes. J. Geophys. Res., in press 2002.

Kleefeld, Ch., C.D. O'Dowd, S. O'Riely, S.G. Jennings, P. Aalto, E. Becker, G. Kunz, and G. de Leeuw. The relative scattering of sub and super micron particles to aerosol light scattering in the marine boundary layer (MBL)., J. Geophys. Res., in press, 2002

O'Dowd, C.D., Biogenic coastal aerosol production and its influence on aerosol radiative properties, Jr. Geophys. Res., 106, 1545-1550, 2001

Jennings, S.G., McGovern, F.M., and Cooke, W.F. (1993). Mass concentration of aerosol black carbon at Mace Head on the west coast of Ireland. Atmos. Environ., 27A, 1229-1239.
 
Louisse, C., Cachier, H., and Jennings, S.G. (1993). Optical and thermal measurements of black carbon aerosol contents in different environments: variation of the specific attenuation cross-section. Atmos. Environ., 27A, 1203-1211.
 
Jennings, S.G., O'Dowd, C.D., Cooke, W.F., Sheridan, P.J., and Cachier, H. (1994). Volatility of elemental carbon. Geophys. Res. Letts., 21. 1719-1722.
 
Jennings, S.G., Spain, T.G., Doddridge, B.G., Maring, H., Kelly, B.P., and Hansen, A.D.A. (1996). Concurrent measurements of black carbon aerosol and carbon monoxide at Mace Head. J. Geophys. Res., 101, 19,447-19454.
 
Jennings, S.G., Geever, M., Mc Govern, F.M., Francis, J., Spain,T. G. and Donaghy,T. (1997). Microphysical and physico-chemical characterisation of atmospheric aerosol at Mace Head. Atmos. Environ.,31, 2795-2808.
 
Cooke, W.F., Jennings, S.G., and Spain, T.G. (1997). Black carbon measurements at Mace Head, 1989-1996. J. Geophys. Res.,102,25,339-25,346.

Hitzenberger, R., Jennings, S.G., Larson, S.M., Dillner, A., Cachier, H., Galambos, Z., Rouc, A. and Spain, T.G. (1999). Intercomparison of measurement methods for black carbon aerosols. Atmos. Environ., 33, 2823-2833.