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. The Mediterranean atmosphere is impacted by a variety ofnatural and anthropogenic aerosols which exert a complex and variablepressure on the regional climate and air quality. This study focuses on theWestern Mediterranean Sea (west of longitude 20∘ E) using the fullPOLarization andDirectionality of the Earth's Reflectances version 3 (POLDER-3)/Polarization &amp;amp; Anisotropy of Reflectances forAtmospheric Sciences coupled with Observations from a Lidar (PARASOL) aerosol data record derived from the operational clear-skyocean algorithm (collection 3) available from March 2005 to October 2013.This 8.5-year satellite data set includes retrievals at 865 nm of the total,fine-, and coarse-mode aerosol optical depth (AOD, AODF, and AODC,respectively), Ångström exponent (AE), and the spherical/non-sphericalpartition of the coarse-mode AOD (AODCS and AODCNS, respectively),that have been carefully validated over the study region (Formenti et al.,2018). Here, we analyze the spatial distribution, the seasonal cycle, andinterannual variability of this ensemble of advanced aerosol products inthree latitude bands (34–38, 38–42, and&gt; 42∘ N) and for three sites (Ersa, Barcelona,Lampedusa) distributed on the western basin. POLDER-3 retrieves the highinfluence of north African desert dust over the region, which largelycontrols the spatial distributions (south-to-north decreasing gradient) andseasonal cycles (spring/summer maximum) of both AOD and coarse AOD,including its non-spherical component. In contrast, the coarse sphericalcomponent of AOD remains relatively homogenously low all year long over theregion, whereas fine-mode AODs are generally more elevated in the easternpart of the region of study, especially north of the Adriatic Sea. From 2005to 2013, annual POLDER-3 AOD evolution shows a decreasing trend of 0.0030 yr−1in absolute value at 865 nm (0.0060 yr−1 at 550 nm). Such adownward evolution is much more pronounced and spatially extended forAODF (−0.0020 yr−1 at 865 nm) than for AODC. Our analysisalso suggests that the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index explains asignificant part of the interannual variability of POLDER-3 AODC,reflecting its role on the frequency of Saharan dust transport over theregion. Finally, the POLDER-3 data set highlights an improvement of airquality related to the fine aerosol component, with a marked evolutiontoward more frequent occurrence of clean conditions (≥ 75 % of dailyAODF-865 nm&lt;0.05) at the end of the period of study(2010–2013) over most of the Western Mediterranean Sea, and much lessevidence of such a large-scale evolution for the coarse fraction. Therefore,despite the high and variable influence of mostly natural north African dustover the region, the POLDER-3 advanced aerosol data set appears sufficientlyaccurate to successfully resolve the concurrent downward trend of fine,primarily anthropogenic particles, most likely related to reduced emissionsin the surrounding European countries.

atmospheric chemistry and physics

Aerosol optical properties derived from POLDER-3/PARASOL (2005–2013) over the Western Mediterranean Sea – Part 2: Spatial distribution and temporal variability