Maritime Aerosol Network as a component of Aerosol Robotic Network

• Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research
• Main Authors: Smirnov, A, Holben, B N, Slutsker, I, Giles, D M, McClain, C R, Eck, T F, Sakerin, S M, Macke, A, Croot, P, Zibordi, G, Quinn, P K, Sciare, J, Kinne, S, Harvey, M, Smyth, T J, Piketh, S, Zielinski, T, Proshutinsky, A, Goes, J I, Nelson, N B, Larouche, P, Radionov, V F, Goloub, P, Krishna Moorthy, K, Matarrese, R, Robertson, E J, Jourdin, F
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Faculty of Science 2009
• Subjects: Aerosol optical depth; Maritime aerosol; Network; Article; Aerosol Robotic Network
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34510; https://open.uct.ac.za/bitstream/11427/34510/1/SmirnovA_Maritime_Aeroso_2009.pdf

The paper presents the current status of the Maritime Aerosol Network (MAN), which has been developed as a component of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET). MAN deploys Microtops hand-held sunphotometers and utilizes the calibration procedure and data processing (Version 2) traceable to AERONET. A web site dedicated to the MAN activity is described. A brief historical perspective is given to aerosol optical depth (AOD) measurements over the oceans. A short summary of the existing data, collected onboard ships of opportunity during the NASA Sensor Inter-comparison and Merger for Biological and Interdisciplinary Oceanic Studies (SIMBIOS) Project is presented. Globally-averaged oceanic aerosol optical depth (derived from island-based AERONET measurements) at 500 nm is ~0.11 and Angstrom parameter (computed within spectral range 440-870 nm) is calculated to be ~0.6. First results from the cruises contributing to the Maritime Aerosol Network are shown. MAN ship-based aerosol optical depth compare well to simultaneous island and near-coastal AERONET site AOD.