Optical Properties Of The Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer: Aerosol Profiles

K. L. Davidson; C. W. Fairall

doi:10.1117/12.964211

7 August 1986 Optical Properties Of The Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer: Aerosol Profiles

K. L. Davidson, C. W. Fairall

Proceedings Volume 0637, Ocean Optics VIII; (1986) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.964211
Event: 1986 Technical Symposium Southeast, 1986, Orlando, United States

Abstract

The distribution of aerosols in the marine boundary layer can be viewed as a dynamic balance of production, transport and removal processes. The balance of these processes can be represented by a simple mixed-layer model. The vertical distribution of aerosols is dominated by turbulent transport. When mixing is dominated by surface shear or cloudtop cooling (as is typical in mid-latitudes), a single "well-mixed" layer is sufficient to describe the aerosol profile. When scattered cumulus clouds are present (called the "trade wind" or "weak cumulus convection" regime), the well-mixed layer is confined to the region below cloud base. In the region above cloudbase and below cloudtops, strong vertical gradients of aerosol concentration may be observed. A simple parameterization of this gradient is presented.

Citation Download Citation

K. L. Davidson and C. W. Fairall "Optical Properties Of The Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer: Aerosol Profiles", Proc. SPIE 0637, Ocean Optics VIII, (7 August 1986); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.964211

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