Aerosol optical depth over the Arctic: a comparison of ECHAM-HAM and TM5 with ground-based, satellite and reanalysis data

• Published in: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
• Main Authors: J. von Hardenberg, L. Vozella, C. Tomasi, V. Vitale, A. Lupi, M. Mazzola, T. P. C. van Noije, A. Strunk, A. Provenzale
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2012
• Subjects: Physics; QC1-999; Chemistry; QD1-999; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-12-6953-2012; https://doaj.org/article/70195ce264db4823951c96a351574c86

We compare ground-based measurements of aerosol optical depth and Ångström parameter at six Arctic stations in the period 2001–2006 with the results from two global aerosol dynamics and transport models, ECHAM-HAM and TM5. Satellite measurements from MODIS and the MACC reanalysis product are used to examine the spatial distribution and the seasonality of these parameters and to compare them with model results. We find that both models provide a good reproduction of the Ångström parameter but significantly underestimate the observed AOD values. We also explore the effects of changes in emissions, model resolution and the parametrization of wet scavenging.