Physical and optical aerosol properties at the Dutch North Sea coast based on AERONET observations J. Kusmierczyk-Michulec1,*, G. De Leeuw1, and M. M. Moerman1 1TNO-DSS, P.O. Box 96864, 2509 JG, The Hague, The Netherlands *on leave from: Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sopot, Poland
Abstract. Sun photometer measurements at the AERONET station at the North Sea coast in
The Hague (The Netherlands) provide a climatology of optical and physical
aerosol properties for the area. Results are presented from the period
January 2002 to July 2003. For the analysis and interpretation these data
are coupled to chemical aerosol data from a nearby station of the Dutch
National Air Quality Network. This network provides PM10 and black carbon
concentrations. Meteorological conditions and air mass trajectories are also
used. Due to the location close to the coast, the results are strongly
dependent on wind direction, i.e. air mass trajectory. In general the
aerosol optical properties are governed by industrial aerosol emitted form
various industrial, agricultural and urban areas surrounding the site in
almost all directions over land. For maritime air masses industrial aerosols
are transported from over the North Sea, whereas very clean air is
transported from the NW in clean polar air masses from the North Atlantic.
In the winter the effect of the production of sea salt aerosol at high wind
speeds is visible in the optical and physical aerosol data. In these cases
fine and coarse mode radii are similar to those reported in the literature
for marine aerosol. Relations are derived between the Ångström
coefficients with both the fine/coarse mode fraction and the ratio of black
carbon and PM10.
Citation: Kusmierczyk-Michulec, J., De Leeuw, G., and Moerman, M. M.: Physical and optical aerosol properties at the Dutch North Sea coast based on AERONET observations, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 7, 3481-3495, doi:10.5194/acp-7-3481-2007, 2007.