Climatological analysis of Arctic aerosol quantity and optical properties at resolute, N.W.T

K. McGuffie*, J. G. Cogley, A. Henderson-sellers

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Climatologically representative aerosol optical depths for Resolute (75°N, 95°W) are derived by two methods. Results exhibit the well established seasonal dependence of aerosol optical depth, τae, (e.g. Shaw, 1982). A maximum of τae is reached in spring (April/May) ( = 0.13) followed by a rapid decrease to a low summer value of around 0.05. Results show a low interannual variability and a slight upward trend in optical depth over the period often years for which data were analysed (1970-1979). Use of a 24-band delta-Eddington radiative transfer model has permitted a quantitative estimate to be made of the single scattering albedo of the aerosol present at Resolute. Aerosol single scattering albedo ω0 is found to reach a low value of 0.85 (68 % confidence: + 0.02, - 0.04) in April and attain its highest value of 0.95 (68 % confidence: + 0.02, -0.04) in June, indicating a different composition of the aerosol at these times.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)707-714
Number of pages8
JournalAtmospheric Environment (1967)
Volume19
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1985
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • aerosol
  • Arctic haze
  • Canada
  • climatology

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