Aerosol Composition in the Marine and Coastal Boundary Layer

Abstract

This paper focuses on aerosol composition data obtained in the North Atlantic, in the Mediterranean, in the northern Gulf of Mexico, off the coasts of California, Nova Scotia and Portugal, and on shore on Cape Cod and on the North Sea Coast of West Germany. The data show that the marine aerosol population varies considerably in composition, particularly in coastal areas, and does not necessarily comprise primarily sea salt aerosols. As a result of these compositional differences, response of the aerosol to fluctuations in relative humidity is expected to differ from one locale or airmass to another. Therefore, aerosol size spectra alone are not sufficient for the prediction of visibility or the potential performance of EO systems under changing humidity conditions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1981
Accession Number
ADA107308

Entities

People

  • B. J. Wattle
  • C. K. Akers
  • E. J. Mack
  • J. T. Hanley
  • R. J. Pilie

Organizations

  • Calspan

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Airborne
  • Atmospheres
  • Atmospheric Sciences
  • Boundaries
  • Boundary Layer
  • California
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Ecology
  • Marine Atmospheres
  • New England
  • New York
  • Particles
  • Sea Water
  • Shores
  • West Germany
  • Wind Direction

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Aerosol Science/Aerosol Physics
  • Oceanography.