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Aerosol optical depth over Lauder, New Zealand
Author(s) -
Liley J. B.,
Forgan B. W.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2008gl037141
Subject(s) - aerosol , environmental science , atmospheric sciences , wavelength , relative humidity , climatology , optical depth , humidity , biomass burning , meteorology , geography , geology , materials science , optoelectronics
Aerosol optical depths (AOD) measured over Lauder in Central Otago, New Zealand in 1996–1997, and continuously since 1999, are amongst the lowest observed worldwide. The Lauder measurements show a seasonal cycle in AOD with a winter minimum and summer local maximum, and there is a springtime peak that is probably due to biomass burning. The wavelength dependence of AOD suggests a relatively stable size distribution but smaller average particle size in spring. Lack of correlation with surface humidity below 90% RH, in both AOD and wavelength dependence, may constrain the likely composition of the aerosol. There was a downward but insignificant trend in mean AOD over the measurement period.