Aerosol Spatial and Temporal Variability: Analysis of Observations for Internal Correlations and Sub-Grid Scale Effects

University Of Washington, Seattle WA

Investigators

Abstract

A comprehensive analysis of sub-synoptic-scale variability of aerosol properties will be carried out. For this purpose, the PIs will assemble and merge data from a large number of field campaigns, including ground-based and airborne measurements of aerosol physical, chemical and optical properties relevant to direct climate forcing. Instrumental noise and uncertainty will be quantified. Then the merged data set will be statistically characterized to determine patterns of variation and covariation that apply across multiple regions and aerosol types. A general statistical model of aerosol variability will be built and used to interpret and design future field experiments. This project, if successful, will provide new information about patterns of aerosol variability and covariances of aerosol parameters. This information in turn will be useful for designing future field experiments as well as satellite instruments.