The Potential of GRASP/GARRLiC Retrievals for Dust Aerosol Model Evaluation: Case Study during the PreTECT Campaign

Dimitra Konsta,Oleg Dubovik,Eleni Tetoni,Panagiotis Nastos,Anton Lopatin,Anna Gialitaki,Stavros Solomos,Vassilis Amiridis,Nikolaos Siomos,Philippe Goloub,Alexandra Tsekeri

doi:10.3390/rs13050873

Abstract

We use the Generalized Retrieval of Aerosol Surface Properties algorithm (GRASP) to compare with dust concentration profiles derived from the NMME-DREAM model for a specific dust episode. The GRASP algorithm provides the possibility of deriving columnar and vertically-resolved aerosol properties from a combination of lidar and sun-photometer observations. Herein, we apply GRASP for analysis of a Saharan dust outburst observed during the “PREparatory: does dust TriboElectrification affect our ClimaTe” campaign (PreTECT) that took place at the North coast of Crete, at the Finokalia ACTRIS station. GRASP provides column-averaged and vertically resolved microphysical and optical properties of the particles. The retrieved dust concentration profiles are compared with modeled concentration profiles derived from the NMME-DREAM dust model. To strengthen the results, we use dust concentration profiles from the POlarization-LIdar PHOtometer Networking method (POLIPHON). A strong underestimation of the maximum dust concentration is observed from the NMME-DREAM model. The reported differences between the retrievals and the model indicate a high potential of the GRASP algorithm for future studies of dust model evaluation.

Highlights

Desert dust is one of the most dominant aerosol types on Earth, produced in arid regions
At higher layers dust concentration decreases with height up to 5km, while an optically thin layer located between 5.5 and 7 km is depicted by Generalized Retrieval of Aerosol Surface Properties algorithm (GRASP)/GARRLiC retrieval
To strengthen the above results, the mass concentration profiles simulated with a NMME-DREAM model and retrieved with GRASP/GARRLiC are compared with the mass concentration profiles retrieved with POLIPHON (Figure 9) for continental, dust and marine particles

Summary

Introduction

Desert dust is one of the most dominant aerosol types on Earth, produced in arid regions. Dust affects the prevailing atmospheric conditions and air quality in the transported areas Sea and Europe), affecting the health of large populations, especially when synoptic conditions favor its advection within the boundary layer [3,4,5,6]. One of the largest sources of dust particles is the Sahara region, which transports dust throughout the year towards the Mediterranean Sea. The dust aerosols strongly. 2021, 13, 873 affect the Mediterranean Sea and South Europe, since they can travel over long distances with varying residence times depending on the meteorological conditions [7,8,9]. Saharan dust transported from the north African coast towards the Mediterranean is very often driven by the south “Khamsin” winds [10]

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Discussion

Conclusion