Paper Title
Variability Of Aerosol Optical, Physical And Radiative Properties At Seven Asian Aeronet Stations During March 2012 Dust Event
Abstract
Aerosol optical, physical and radiative properties at seven Asian Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) stations
during the dust storm event of March 2012 have been analysed. Highest aerosol optical depth (AOD500 nm) observed at these
seven AERONET stations may be due to the combined effect of natural (desert dust) and anthropogenic aerosols, thus,
indicating the strong influence of dust storm induced aerosols. Aerosol system is a complex mixture of fine- and coarsemode
aerosols with coarse-mode exerting a strong influence on the system at the AERONET stations in India and Pakistan.
However, it comprises of coarse-mode aerosols at KAUST_Campus and Mezaira since the origin of dust outbreak is Arabian
Desert. The observed large differences in top of the atmosphere (TOA) and bottom of the atmosphere (BOA) radiative
forcing demonstrate that the solar radiation is being absorbed within the atmosphere corresponding to the heating of the
atmosphere while at same time the earths’ surface becomes cooler which can substantially alter the atmospheric stability and
influence the dynamic system of the atmosphere.
Keywords- Aerosol optical depth, AERONET, Aerosol system, Radiative forcing