Aerosol Optical Properties of the Free Troposphere
Abstract
Nearly simultaneous measurements of the physical and optical properties of boundary layer and free tropospheric aerosols near Boulder, Colorado were made on several occasions using aircraft, balloon, and ground based sensors. This effort was conducted with the purpose of obtaining a diverse, self-consistent data set that could be used for testing optical model calculations based on measured physical characteristics such as apparent size distribution, composition, and shape. Support under this grant made it possible to perform a detailed analysis of this unique data set. It was found that even with the uncertainties involved, the model predictions are in good agreement with the measurements in the visible and near infrared wavelength regions. The results also indicate that during the measurement period the aerosol in the boundary layer and free troposphere behaved as spherical particles for optical modeling purposes. The utility of the observation for determining the extinction-to-backscatter ratio relevant to aerosols in the boundary layer and free troposphere is described with typical measured values being in the 20 to 30 sr range. Further data sets and analysis of this type will be made possible by using the specialized instrumentation developed at the University of Wyoming during the last year.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 16, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA253687
Entities
People
- James M. Rosen
Organizations
- University of Wyoming