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Index Geophysics

A Multi-Year Aerosol Characterization for the Greater Tehran Area Using Satellite, Surface, and Modeling Data

Item

Title (Dublin Core)

A Multi-Year Aerosol Characterization for the Greater Tehran Area Using Satellite, Surface, and Modeling Data

Description (Dublin Core)

This study reports a multi-year (2000–2009) aerosol characterization for metropolitan Tehran and surrounding areas using multiple datasets (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Multi-angle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR), Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS), Goddard Ozone Chemistry Aerosol Radiation and Transport (GOCART), and surface and upper air data from local stations). Monthly trends in aerosol characteristics are examined in the context of the local meteorology, regional and local emission sources, and air mass back-trajectory data. Dust strongly affects the region during the late spring and summer months (May–August) when aerosol optical depth (AOD) is at its peak and precipitation accumulation is at a minimum. In addition, the peak AOD that occurs in July is further enhanced by a substantial number of seasonal wildfires in upwind regions. Conversely, AOD is at a minimum during winter; however, reduced mixing heights and a stagnant lower atmosphere trap local aerosol emissions near the surface and lead to significant reductions in visibility within Tehran. The unique meteorology and topographic setting makes wintertime visibility and surface aerosol concentrations particularly sensitive to local anthropogenic sources and is evident in the noteworthy improvement in visibility observed on weekends. Scavenging of aerosol due to precipitation is evident during the winter when a consistent increase in surface visibility and concurrent decrease in AOD is observed in the days after rain compared with the days immediately before rain.

Creator (Dublin Core)

Ewan Crosbie
Armin Sorooshian
Negar Abolhassani Monfared
Taylor Shingler
Omid Esmaili

Subject (Dublin Core)

aerosol
Iran
MODIS
MISR
wet scavenging
visibility
Meteorology. Climatology
QC851-999

Publisher (Dublin Core)

MDPI AG

Date (Dublin Core)

2014-04-01T00:00:00Z

Type (Dublin Core)

article

Identifier (Dublin Core)

2073-4433
10.3390/atmos5020178
https://doaj.org/article/3e6d507616fe44809fa8b64eeeb47fec

Source (Dublin Core)

Atmosphere, Vol 5, Iss 2, Pp 178-197 (2014)

Language (Dublin Core)

EN

Relation (Dublin Core)

http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/5/2/178
https://doaj.org/toc/2073-4433

Provenance (Dublin Core)

Journal Licence: CC BY