Inferring Polluted Asian Absorbing Aerosol Properties Using Decadal
Scale AERONET Measurements and a MIE Model
Abstract
Absorbing aerosols uniquely impact radiative forcing, aerosol chemical
transport, and meteorology. This paper uniquely quantifies BC core and
sulfate shell size and mass using decadal measurements of multi-spectral
AOD, SSA, and AE from AERONET stations located throughout East,
Southeast, and South Asia, in connection with a MIE model. All sites are
uniquely characterized into four types: urban, biomass burning,
long-range transport, and clean. The size and mass of the core and shell
are calculated as probability distributions, and found to be unique
within each classification. Well known urban, biomass burning, and clean
sites are all properly identified. Furthermore, two unique sites
previously thought to not have multiple characteristics are identified,
with urban and biomass burning significant in Beijing and long-range
transport significant in the otherwise clean South China Sea at Taiping
island. It is hoped that these results will allow for advances in
attribution and radiative forcing studies.