© Author(s) 2006. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Aerosol physical and optical properties in the Eastern Mediterranean Basin, Crete, from Aerosol Robotic Network data

• Main Authors: A. Fotiadi, N. Hatzianastassiou, E. Drakakis, C. Matsoukas, K. G. Pavlakis, D. Hatzidimitriou, E. Gerasopoulos, N. Mihalopoulos, I. Vardavas
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerosol Robotic Network
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.404.8361; http://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/docs/00/29/60/87/PDF/acp-6-5399-2006.pdf

Abstract. In this study, we investigate the aerosol optical properties, namely aerosol extinction optical thickness (AOT), Angström parameter and size distribution over the Eastern Mediterranean Basin, using spectral measurements from the recently established FORTH (Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas) AERONET station in Crete, for the two-year period 2003–2004. The location of the FORTH-AERONET station offers a unique opportunity to monitor aerosols from different sources. Maximum values of AOT are found primarily in spring, which together with small values of the Angström parameter indicate dust transported from African deserts, whereas the minimum values of AOT occur in winter. In autumn, large AOT values observed at near-infrared wavelengths arise also from dust transport. In summer, large AOT values at ultraviolet (340 nm) and