Impact of particulate organic matter on the relative humidity dependence of light scattering: A simplified parameterization

Patricia K. Quinn, T. S. Bates, T. Baynard, A. D. Clarke, T. B. Onasch, W. Wang, M. J. Rood, E. Andrews, J. Allan, C. M. Carrico, D. Coffman, D. Worsnop

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Measurements during recent field campaigns downwind of the Indian subcontinent, Asia, and the northeastern United States reveal a substantial decrease in the relative humidity dependence of light scattering, fσsp(RH), with increasing mass fraction of particulate organic matter (POM) for submicrometer aerosol. Using data from INDOEX (INDian Ocean EXperiment), ACE Asia (Aerosol Characterization Experiment - Asia), and ICARTT (International Consortium for Atmospheric Research on Transport and Transformation), we have identified, within measurement limitations, the impact of POM on the fσsp(RH) of accumulation mode sulfate-POM mixtures. The result is a parameterization that quantifies the POM mass fraction - fσsp(RH) relationship for use in radiative transfer and air quality models either as input or as validation. The parameterization is valid where the aerosol consists of an internally mixed sulfate-carbonaceous accumulation mode and other externally mixed components (e.g. sea salt, dust) and is applicable on both global and regional scales.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberL22809
Pages (from-to)1-4
Number of pages4
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume32
Issue number22
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 28 2005
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geophysics
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

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