Influence of local waste burning on atmospheric aerosol properties in urban environment

Aerosols affect the radiative energy budget on both the regional and global scales. The wavelength-dependent aerosol optical depth (AOD) is a fundamental determinant of the amount by which extra-terrestrial incoming sunlight and outgoing terrestrial radiation are being attenuated in the atmosphere. The present study addresses the influence of local waste burning on aerosol characteristics, black carbon (BC) aerosol mass concentration and spectral solar irradiance using ground-based measurements over the tropical urban environment of Hyderabad, India. AOD has been observed to be maximum during burning days compared to normal days. Aerosol size spectra suggest bimodal distributions during pre-and post-burning periods and trimodal distributions during burning periods. Angstrom wavelength exponent estimated from spectral variation of AOD suggested dominance of accumulation mode particle loading during burning days compared to normal days. Diurnal variation of BC on normal days showed a broad nocturnal peak during ∼20:00 to ∼24:00 h with a maximum value of BC aerosol concentration of ∼14,000 ng m⁻³ whereas on local waste burning days enormous increases in BC concentrations have been observed with a peak at ∼60,000 ng m⁻³. Relative attenuation of global solar irradiance during burning days has been found to be of the order of 30% in the visible and 28% in the near-infrared regions. The results are discussed in detail in this paper.     

Environmental pollution due to black carbon aerosols and its impacts in a tropical urban city

Black carbon (BC) has become the subject of interest in the recent years for a variety of reasons. BC aerosol may cause environmental as well as harmful health effects in densely inhabited regions. BC is a strong absorber of radiation in the visible and near-infrared part of the spectrum, where most of the solar energy is distributed. Black carbon is emitted into the atmosphere as a byproduct of all combustion processes, viz., vegetation burning, industrial effluents, motor vehicle exhausts, etc. In this paper, we present results from our measurements on BC aerosols, total aerosol mass concentration, and aerosol optical depth over an urban environment, namely Hyderabad during January-May, 2003. Diurnal variations of BC suggest that high BC concentrations are observed during 6:00-9:00 h and 19:00-23:00 h. Weekday variations of BC suggest that the day average BC concentrations increases gradually from Monday to Wednesday and gradually decreases from Thursday to Sunday. Fraction of BC to total mass concentration has been observed to be 7%. BC showed positive correlation with total mass concentration and aerosol optical depth at 500 nm. Radiative transfer calculations suggest that during January-May, diurnal averaged aerosol forcing at the surface was calculated to be −33 Wm⁻² and at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) it is to be +9 Wm⁻².     

Retrieval of ozone profile from ground-based measurements with polarization: A synthetic study

We perform a retrieval based on optimal estimation theory to retrieve the vertical distribution of ozone from simulated spectra in the Huggins bands. The model atmosphere includes scattering by aerosol as well as Rayleigh scattering. The virtual instrument is ground-based and zenith-viewing. Using this algorithm, we show that it is possible to retrieve the ozone profile provided that the spectral resolution is at least 0.2 nm and the signal to noise ratio greater than 500. Our synthetic retrievals suggest that if we are able to measure the Stokes parameters Q, U and V with accuracy comparable to that of the intensity, the information contained in the measurements, and therefore the inversion, will improve. Furthermore, we find that the measurement of the full Stokes vector from the ground-based instrument will especially enhance the retrieval of tropospheric ozone. Utilizing concepts from information theory, our arguments are confirmed by increases in the degrees of freedom and the Shannon information content in the simulated measurements.     

深圳城市气溶胶物理光学特性的观测研究

气溶胶是影响气候变化和空气污染的重要因子.在深圳地区展开气溶胶观测实验,可以获得可靠的光学物理特征,进而有助于准确评估气溶胶在新型超极城市区域的气像和环境效应.本文利用2010年12月至2011年8月太阳光度计、黑碳和浊度计等气溶胶观测资料,分析了新型超级城市深圳地区的气溶胶物理光学特性.深圳地区气溶胶呈明显季节变化,冬、春季由于城市污染性气溶胶的影响,气溶胶光学厚度和Angstrom波长指数都较大,夏季受海盐气溶胶的影响,光学厚度较小,Angstrom波长指数也较小.光学厚度与Angstrom 波长指数对比表明城市综合性污染是引起深圳气溶胶高光学厚度的主要原因.深圳地区气溶胶的散射系数、吸收系数的平均值(标准偏差)分别为178.7×10^-6 m^-1(126.6×10^-6 m^-1)和32.5×10^-6 m^-1(18.1×10^-6 m^-1),均低于珠三角腹地多年观测平均值的二分之一和国内其他大型城市观测值.而单次散射反照率为0.81,与珠三角其他地区得到的结果接近.此外,气溶胶吸收、散射和单次散射反照率呈明显日变化,可能主要受大气边界层变化的影响.     

Comparison of CALIPSO and ground-based lidar profiles over Chung-Li, Taiwan

We report the first inter-comparison of vertical profiles of aerosols and clouds derived from space (CALIPSO) and ground based lidar over Chung-Li, Taiwan. Results show that inter-comparison is closer in case of aerosols than clouds. The strength/shortcoming of the comparison has been also discussed. An iterative calculation to retrieve extinction-to-backscatter ratio (lidar ratio) by using sun-photometer and CALIPSO data is also documented. By using the mentioned method, a mean lidar ratio of 23.5±8.2 sr was found. The derived lidar ratios are lower than former studies. The possible reasons for the difference have been discussed in this paper. The discussed methodology will be helpful to reduce the uncertainty of optical parameters derived from lidar data especially near the surface where the atmosphere is inhomogeneous.     

Light scattering properties of sea-salt aerosol particles inferred from modeling studies and ground-based measurements

Direct climate radiative forcing depends on the aerosol optical depth τ, the single scattering albedo ?, and the up-scatter fraction β; these quantities are functions of the refractive index of the particles, their size relative to the incident wavelength, and their shape. Sea-salt aerosols crystallize into cubic shapes or in agglomerates of cubic particles under low relative humidity conditions. The present study investigates the effects of the shape of dried sea-salt particles on the detection of light scattering from the particles. Ground-based measurements of scattering and backscattering coefficients have been performed with an integrating nephelometer instrument for a wavelength . The measurements are compared to two models: the Mie theory assuming a spherical shape for the particles and the Discrete Dipole Approximation (DDA) model for the hypothesis of cubic shape of the sea-salt aerosols. The comparison is made accurately by taking into account the actual range of the scattering angles measured by the nephelometer in both models that is from 7° to 170° for the scattering coefficient and from 90° to 170° for the backscattering coefficient. Modeled scattering and backscattering coefficients increase for nonspherical particles compared to spherical shape of particles with diameter larger than about 1 μm. However, the comparison of the modeling results with the measurements gives best agreement for particles diameter less than about 1 μm. The size distribution of the particles is measured with two instruments with different size bins: an electrical low-pressure impactor (ELPI) and an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS). It is found that the size of the bins of the instruments to determine the number concentration of the particles in accordance with their diameter is critical in the comparison of measurements with modeling.     

Seasonal variability of cloud optical depth over northwestern China derived from CERES/MODIS satellite measurements

The seasonal variability of cloud optical depth over northwestern China derived from Clouds and the Earth＇s Radiant Energy System （CERES） Single Scanner Footprint （SSF） Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer （MODIS） Edition IB data from July 2002 to June 2004 is presented. The regions of interest are those with Asia monsoon influence, the Tianshan and Qilian Mountains, and the Taklimakan Desert. The results show that the instantaneous measurements presented here are much higher than the previous results derived from International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project （ISCCP） D2 monthly mean data. Generally the measurements of cloud optical depth are the highest in summer and the lowest in winter, however, Taklimakan Desert has the lowest measurements in autumn. The regional variation is quite significant over northwestern China.     

基于反射太阳光反演气溶胶光学厚度和有效半径

根据太阳光的极化特性,提出了一种利用单波长太阳光遥感反演球形水凝物气溶胶光学厚度和有效半径的方法.根据矢量辐射传输理论,利用累加法,计算了λ=0.75μm(可见光)和3.3μm(近红外)两种波长太阳光入射时气溶胶的反射矩阵.气溶胶的有效半径为0.01—1.5μm,光学厚度为0.05—1.利用计算机模拟了反演过程,结果表明,当粒子的有效半径小于0.4μm时可以利用可见光波段进行反演;当粒子有效半径大于1.0μm时可以利用近红外波段反演;在0.4—1.0μm之间,利用这两个波段均可以得到精确性很 关键词： 光学厚度 有效半径 极化 反演     

Fundamental limits on the losses of phase and amplitude optical actuators

Amplitude and phase are the basic properties of all wave phenomena; as far as optical waves are concerned, the ability to act on these variables is at the root of a wealth of switching devices. To quantify the performance of an optical switching device, an essential aspect is to determine the tradeoff between the insertion loss and the amplitude or phase modulation depth. Here it is shown that every optical switching device is subject to such a tradeoff, intrinsically connected to the dielectric response of the materials employed inside the switching element itself. This limit finds its roots in fundamental physics, as it directly derives from Maxwell's equations for linear dielectrics, and is hence applicable to a wide class of optical components. Furthermore, a result is that concepts such as filtering, resonance, and critical coupling could be of advantage in approaching the limit.

     

基于地基观测的时序卫星红外光谱建模与分析

针对地基观测的卫星红外光谱受复杂因素的影响和外场试验对测量卫星物性信息的缺乏,无法解释卫星红外光谱反演出特征的有效性和具体物理意义的问题,提出了一种基于地基观测的卫星热红外光谱的建模和分析的方法.首先,考虑了太阳辐射、地球辐射、卫星各面对探测器的可见情况、地基探测器可探测卫星的范围、大气衰减等因素的影响,更加准确地建立卫星热红外光谱模型.然后,以风云三号卫星为例,利用该模型计算了在观测时序上卫星在地基探测器入瞳上的3—14μm红外光谱辐照度;分析了影响卫星红外光谱变化的主要因素.最后,利用普朗克函数拟合卫星红外光谱,提取出特征与卫星的物性比较,并对其进行分析.结果表明:在各种影响因素中,由卫星运动引起的对探测器可见情况的改变是影响卫星红外光谱数据的主要因素.等效温度和等效面积物理含义能被有效地解释,等效温度接近于太阳帆板的温度,温差仅在15 K左右,等效面积能表征卫星投影面积的变化;发现利用帆板和本体有较大的温差,能实现帆板和本体的分离,并实现新特征的提取.     

雪面上光学湍流的测量与估算

用合肥35 m铁塔测量系统,测量了2008年1月28 日至2月1日雪面上折射率结构常数,并用bulk方法和涡旋相关法估算了折射率结构常数,给出了大气层结稳定条件下的相似函数。结果表明：实验期间,大部分时间雪面上大气处于近中性和稳定状态;采用该相似函数,bulk方法和涡旋相关法估算的折射率结构常数与实测结果一致性很好;雪面上折射率结构常数也存在一定的日变化,但与草坪、海洋、沙漠等下垫面相比小1~2个量级,变化范围为1.9×10-16~1×10-14 m-2/3。     

Studies on particulate matter (PM10) and its precursors over urban environment of Reading, UK

The extent to which airborne particles penetrate into the human respiratory system is determined mainly by their size, with possible health effects. The research over the scientific evidence of the role of airborne particles in adverse health effects has been intensified in recent years. In the present study, seasonal variations of PM₁₀ and its relation with anthropogenic activities have been studied by using the data from UK National Air Quality Archive over Reading, UK. The diurnal variation of PM₁₀ shows a morning peak during 7:00-10:00 LT and an evening peak during 19:00-22:00 LT. The variation between 12:00 and 17:00 LT remains more or less steady for PM₁₀ with the minimum value of ∼16 μg m⁻³. PM₁₀ and black smoke (BS) concentrations during weekdays were found to be high compared to weekends. A reduction in the concentration of PM₁₀ has been found during the Christmas holidays compared to normal days during December. Seasonal variations of PM₁₀ showed high values during spring compared to other seasons. A linear relationship has been found between PM₁₀ and NO_x during March, July, November and December suggesting that most of the PM₁₀ is due to local traffic exhaust emissions. PM₁₀ and SO₂ concentrations showed positive correlation with the correlation coefficient of R²=0.65 over the study area. Seasonal variations of SO₂ and NO_x showed high concentrations during winter and low concentrations during spring. Fraction of BS in PM₁₀ has been found to be 50% during 2004 over the study area.     

掺杂偶氮苯聚合物光致异构Z扫描测量及其理论解释

用He_Ne激光对掺有偶氮苯聚合物DR 13的PMMA薄膜样品进行Z扫描研究 ,发现其折射率改变量与光强的关系存在着饱和效应 ,且线偏振光引起的折射率改变明显大于圆偏振光引起的折射率改变 .对于这些现象 ,用光致异构的角烧孔机理进行解释     

基于后向轨迹追踪模式分析SACOL气溶胶 来源及其光学特性

利用2007年11月至2010年10月NCEP/NCAR再分析资料和HYSPLIT模式模拟了后向气流轨迹, 分析了兰州大学半干旱气候环境观测站(SACOL)所在地区的大气输送特征. 采用聚类分析方法将1096条轨迹分类, 得到15簇反映主要特征的典型气流, 研究了不同气流特征、出现频数及季节分布特点, 与主要天气形势和天气系统的关系. 统计主要气流路径所占比例, 其中源于四川和重庆的气流占总路径的16%, 为影响SACOL的主要路径, 其次为源于局地和陕西的气流, 路径最少的是东欧和孟加拉国. 结合同期MFRSR地基辐射计反演的870nm气溶胶光学厚度和波长指数, 分析了不同气团源控制下的气溶胶光学特性和粒子性质特征. 揭示了最大平均气溶胶光学厚度达0.29± 0.12(平均值± 标准差), 气团源于塔克拉玛干沙漠; 最小平均光学厚度的气团源于孟加拉国, 为0.14± 0.02. 根据研究站点周围环境条件和气团源区地理条件以及移动轨迹, 分析其可能影响, 并定量给出不同源区气团对SACOL三年平均气溶胶光学厚度的贡献率. 结果表明, 源于局地和区域性气团贡献平均光学厚度的41.1%, 沙尘区贡献28.4%, 中亚为17.9%, 远距离东欧和中东为12.6%.     

On the impact of non-sphericity and small-scale surface roughness on the optical properties of hematite aerosols

We perform a comparative modelling study to investigate how different morphological features influence the optical properties of hematite aerosols. We consider high-order Chebyshev particles as a proxy for aerosol with a small-scale surface roughness, and spheroids as a model for nonspherical aerosols with a smooth boundary surface. The modelling results are compared to those obtained for homogeneous spherical particles. It is found that for hematite particles with an absorption efficiency of order unity the difference in optical properties between spheres and spheroids disappears. For optically softer particles, such as ice particles at far-infrared wavelengths, this effect can be observed for absorption efficiencies lower than unity. The convergence of the optical properties of spheres and spheroids is caused by absorption and quenching of internal resonances inside the particles, which depend both on the imaginary part of the refractive index and on the size parameter, and to some extent on the real part of the refractive index. By contrast, small-scale surface roughness becomes the dominant morphological feature for large particles. This effect is likely to depend on the amplitude of the surface roughness, the relative significance of internal resonances, and possibly on the real part of the refractive index. The extinction cross section is rather insensitive to surface roughness, while the single-scattering albedo, asymmetry parameter, and the Mueller matrix are strongly influenced. Small-scale surface roughness reduces the backscattering cross section by up to a factor of 2-3 as compared to size-equivalent particles with a smooth boundary surface. This can have important implications for the interpretation of lidar backscattering observations.     

Radiative forcing of aerosols and gases over tropical ocean and its impact on the global atmospheric environment: GCM investigations during INDOEX campaigns

Radiative forcings due to aerosols and the pollutant gases accumulated as haze which are transported from nearby continent to the tropical ocean are essentially important elements of the world climate system. Vertical transport of aerosols and gaseous species takes place within the deep convective cloud clusters of the inter-tropical convergence zone and subsequently these are distributed by the upper atmospheric zonal wind flow, thereby have impact on the global atmospheric environment. The comprehensive global atmospheric models have shown capability of simulating the climate of the atmosphere with proper forcing. We have deduced the radiative forcing, optical depth and the global energy balance components by a global atmospheric model. The results are validated well with INDOEX and other available observational findings.     

Line narrowing effect on the retrieval of HF and HCl vertical profiles from ground-based FTIR measurements

Collision-induced line narrowing, which has been discovered in the 1950s and investigated thoroughly in the laboratory since then, has yet never been taken into account in the spectroscopic remote sensing of the atmosphere. This work investigates the effect of collision-induced line narrowing onto the retrieval of HCl and HF vertical profiles from ground-based solar absorption FTIR measurements made at the NDSC station of the Jungfraujoch (46.5^°N, 8^°E and 3580 m above see level). The retrievals are performed with the Atmosphit software, recently developed at the Université Libre de Bruxelles. It is presented in this paper for the first time and is validated against the widely used SFIT2 software. The impact of the line narrowing onto the retrieval of HCl and HF vertical profiles is examined relying on careful information content and error budget analyses. We report that the effect is relatively weak for HCl but significant for HF. Confirmation of the need to take the line narrowing into account for the retrieval of vertical profiles from ground-based FTIR spectra is given by comparison with data from the HALOE space borne instrument, rather insensitive to this spectroscopic effect.     

基于可口可乐荧光和滤光特性的光谱学实验

通过荧光光谱仪,确定可乐的弱荧光物质和滤光特性,对532nm激光激发的红移现象进行解释.自组微调夹持转向装置,利用教学用光栅单色仪定量研究了激光与可乐作用深度对光谱的影响.实验结合了荧光光谱和物质滤光特性等知识,物理内涵丰富,可通过自组实验装置锻炼学生解决实际问题的能力.     

基于环境星CCD数据的环境植被指数及叶面积指数反演研究

利用PROSAIL前向模型模拟的植被冠层光谱,在植被指数构造时,引入修正大气、土壤背景影响的蓝、绿波段,构建了避免过早饱和的环境植被指数(environmental vegetation index,EVI)。基于多个典型冬小麦生育期的地面观测数据,建立基于EVI-LAI长时间序列反演模型,并对模型进行不同品种间的交叉检验。研究表明,EVI建立的叶面积指数(leaf area index,LAI)反演模型精度优于同类植被指数模型,并具有较好的普适性,能应用于冬小麦遥感多时相长势监测及LAI反演。     

Studies on scattering of fast H and He atoms from Fe films grown on Cu(0 0 1)

The structure of ultrathin epitaxial Fe films grown on Cu(0 0 1) at room temperature is investigated by grazing scattering of fast H and He atoms. By making use of ion beam triangulation, direct information on the atomic structure of the film and substrate surfaces are obtained. We discuss a new variant of this method based on the detection of the number of emitted electrons. The data is analyzed via computer simulations using classical mechanics which provides a quantitative analysis with respect to projectile trajectories.