Simulated depolarization ratios for dust and smoke at laser wavelengths: implications for lidar application

Polarization measurements have been widely used to detect aerosol properties by remote sensing in recent decades. To better understand the polarization characteristics of aerosols by lidar, the numerically exact T-matrix method was used to simulate the depolarization ratio (DR) of dust and smoke aerosols at typical laser wavelengths in this study. The results show that the DRs of dust and smoke aerosols have obviously different spectral dependences. Moreover, the ratio of DRs at two wavelengths has an obvious linear relationship with the microphysical properties of aerosols, including aspect ratio, effective radius and complex refractive index. At short wavelengths, we can use it to invert the absorption characteristics of particles, further improving the detection ability of lidar. Comparing the simulation results of different channels, DR, (color ratio) CR and (lidar ratio) LR have a good logarithmic fitting relationship at 532 nm and 1064 nm, which helps to classify the aerosol types. On this basis, a new inversion algorithm, "1β+1α+2δ", was presented. By this algorithm, the backscattering coefficient (β), extinction coefficient (α), DR (δ) at 532 nm and 1064 nm can be used to expand the range of inversion and compare lidar data with different configurations to obtain more extensive optical characteristics of aerosols. Our study enhances the application of laser remote sensing in aerosol observations more accurately.

Saharan dust and giant quartz particle transport towards Iceland

Mineral dust emissions from Saharan sources have an impact on the atmospheric environment and sedimentary units in distant regions. Here, we present the first systematic observations of long-range Saharan dust transport towards Iceland. Fifteen Saharan dust episodes were identified to have occurred between 2008 and 2020 based on aerosol optical depth data, backward trajectories and numerical models. Icelandic samples from the local dust sources were compared with deposited dust from two severe Saharan dust events in terms of their granulometric and mineralogical characteristics. The episodes were associated with enhanced meridional atmospheric flow patterns driven by unusual meandering jets. Strong winds were able to carry large Saharan quartz particles (> 100 µm) towards Iceland. Our results confirm the atmospheric pathways of Saharan dust towards the Arctic, and identify new northward meridional long-ranged transport of giant dust particles from the Sahara, including the first evidence of their deposition in Iceland as previously predicted by models.

Dust storms: recent developments

Dust storms have a number of impacts upon the environment including radiative forcing, and biogeochemical cycling. They transport material over many thousands of kilometres. They also have a range of impacts on humans, not least on human health. In recent years the identification of source areas for dust storms has been an important area or research, with the Sahara (especially Bodélé) and western China being recognised as the strongest sources globally. Another major development has been the recognition of the degree to which dust storm activity has varied at a range of time scales, millennial, century, decadal, annual and seasonal.