Retrieval of the single scattering albedo of Asian dust mixed with pollutants using lidar observations

Abstract

The vertical distribution of single scattering albedos (SSAs) of Asian dust mixed with pollutants was derived using the multi-wavelength Raman lidar observation system at Gwangju (35.10°N, 126.53°E). Vertical profiles of both backscatter and extinction coefficients for dust and non-dust aerosols were extracted from a mixed Asian dust plume using the depolarization ratio from lidar observations. Vertical profiles of backscatter and extinction coefficients of non-dust particles were input into an inversion algorithm to retrieve the SSAs of non-dust aerosols. Atmospheric aerosol layers at different heights had different light-absorbing characteristics. The SSAs of non-dust particles at each height varied with aerosol type, which was either urban/industrial pollutants from China transported over long distances at high altitude, or regional/local pollutants from the Korean peninsula. Taking advantage of independent profiles of SSAs of non-dust particles, vertical profiles of SSAs of Asian dust mixed with pollutants were estimated for the first time, with a new approach suggested in this study using an empirical determination of the SSA of pure dust. The SSAs of the Asian dust-pollutants mixture within the planetary boundary layer (PBL) were in the range 0.88–0.91, while the values above the PBL were in the range 0.76–0.87, with a very low mean value of 0.76±0.05. The total mixed dust plume SSAs in each aerosol layer were integrated over height for comparison with results from the Aerosol Robotics Network (AERONET) measurements. Values of SSA retrieved from lidar observations of 0.92±0.01 were in good agreement with the results from AERONET measurements.