Abstract
Abstract. This paper presents results of the extensive field campaign CLACE 2010 (Cloud and Aerosol Characterization Experiment) performed in summer 2010 at the Jungfraujoch (JFJ) and the Kleine Scheidegg (KLS) in the Swiss Alps. The main goal of this campaign was to investigate the vertical variability of aerosol optical properties around the JFJ and to show the consistency of the different employed measurement techniques considering explicitly the effects of relative humidity (RH) on the aerosol light scattering. Various aerosol optical and microphysical parameters were recorded using in-situ and remote sensing techniques. In-situ measurements of aerosol size distribution, light scattering, light absorption and scattering enhancement due to water uptake were performed at the JFJ at 3580 m a.s.l.. A unique set-up allowed remote sensing measurements of aerosol columnar and vertical properties from the KLS located about 1500 m below and within the line of sight to the JFJ (horizontal distance of approx. 4.5 km). In addition, two satellite retrievals from the Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI) and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) as well as back trajectory analyses were added to the comparison to account for a wider geographical context. All in-situ and remote sensing measurements were in clear correspondence. The ambient extinction coefficient measured in situ at the JFJ agreed well with the KLS-based LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) retrieval at the altitude-level of the JFJ under plausible assumptions on the LIDAR ratio. However, we can show that the quality of this comparison is affected by orographic effects due to the exposed location of the JFJ on a saddle between two mountains and next to a large glacier. The local RH around the JFJ was often higher than in the optical path of the LIDAR measurement, especially when the wind originated from the south via the glacier, leading to orographic clouds which remained lower than the LIDAR beam. Furthermore, the dominance of long-range transported Saharan dust was observed in all measurements for several days, however only for a shorter time period in the in-situ measurements due to the vertical structure of the dust plume. The optical properties of the aerosol column retrieved from SEVIRI and MODIS showed the same magnitude and a similar temporal evolution as the measurements at the KLS and the JFJ. Remaining differences are attributed to the complex terrain and simplifications in the aerosol retrieval scheme in general.
Highlights
Atmospheric aerosols impact the Earth’s climate by scattering and absorbing incoming solar radiation and influence the Earth’s global energy budget (Trenberth et al, 2009)
The JFJ research station is part of the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) program coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and continuous aerosol insitu measurements have been performed within this framework since 1995
The aerosol optical depth τa (AOD) measurements are only feasible during clear sky conditions, which were possible at eight days out of the 14 day long intensive operation period (IOP)
Summary
Atmospheric aerosols impact the Earth’s climate by scattering and absorbing incoming solar radiation and influence the Earth’s global energy budget (Trenberth et al, 2009). P. Zieger et al.: Spatial variation of aerosol optical properties South A North. WetNeph, DryNeph, aethalometer, SMPS & OPC Sun photometer Jungfraujoch B C 3580 m a.s.l.
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