A Modern Approach to Aerosol Studies Over the Baltic Sea

Abstract

AbstractAerosols measured in coastal areas are significantly different from those over an open sea, both in terms of structure and physical properties. The aerosol composition and concentrations are generally uniform in the open sea area. In the case of coastal areas, the composition may be changed within a short period of time. Aerosols in coastal zone can be divided into three groups: the sea, a mixture of continental and maritime, and continental. This chapter describes the most representative day of a research campaign designed to characterize the optical properties of aerosols in the Baltic Sea (open sea and coastal areas). During the campaign, simultaneous measurements of aerosol optical depth were carried out at four stations around the Baltic Sea—Bornholm, Sopot, Preila and Liepaja, using the hand-held Microtops II sun photometers. The studies were supplemented with satellite data (MODIS) and the analysis of air mass back-trajectories at various altitudes and wind fields. Measurements were performed at four stations. Simultaneous measurements at these stations with use of Microtops sun photometer can provide important information on the aerosol optical depth (AOD) and hence on the radiation balance. Data obtained with Microtops complement well with those obtained from MODIS. Using wind field profiles we possibly detected sea surface impact on aerosol concentrations in Bornholm, where on 3 August 2011 the AOD was significantly greater, along with a strong onshore winds.KeywordsAerosolBalticMicrotopsMODISAERONETMAN