Establishing the Linkages between Particle Physical, Chemical, and Optical Properties at the Kosan Supersite during Aerosol Characterization Experiment (ACE)-Asia

Brechtel Manufacturing Incorporated, Hayward CA

Investigators

Abstract

The goal of this project is to determine the influence of aerosol hygroscopic growth on the optical properties of ambient aerosols during dust and pollution input periods of the Aerosol Characterization Experiment (ACE) Asia at the Kosan Supersite on Cheju Island, Korea. Of special interest is whether the hygroscopic and optical properties of dust are significantly altered during periods when the dust has experienced anthropogenic influence. This work will take advantage of the very comprehensive data set that was collected on aerosol chemical, physical, and optical properties and related parameters. Thermodynamic models that predict water uptake by ambient aerosols will be extended to include complex mixtures of inorganic and organic compounds as well as Asian dust. Results from this work will reveal how particle size, concentration, and chemical composition impact the ambient light extinction coefficient, single-scatter albedo, phase function, and Angstrom exponent, as well as the wavelength dependencies of these parameters. Closure calculations will test our understanding of these relationships and provide information on the quality of available measurement techniques and models and point to the most urgently needed improvements in the future. In collaboration with Prof. John Seinfeld at CalTech, a graduate student will be involved in this project.