Aerosol properties and radiative effects in the United States East Coast haze plume: An overview of the Tropospheric Aerosol Radiative Forcing Observational Experiment (TARFOX)

摘要: Aerosol effects on atmospheric radiation are a leading source of uncertainty in predicting climate change. The Tropospheric Radiative Forcing Observational Experiment (TARFOX) was designed to reduce this by measuring and analyzing aerosol properties the United States eastern seaboard, where one world's major plumes urban/industrial haze moves from continent over Atlantic Ocean. TARFOX intensive field campaign conducted July 10–31, 1996. It included coordinated measurements four satellites (GOES-8, NOAA-14, ERS-2, Landsat), aircraft (ER-2, C-130, C-131A, modified Cessna), land sites, ships. A variety conditions sampled, ranging relatively clean, behind frontal passages, moderately polluted, with optical depths exceeding 0.5 at midvisible wavelengths. Gradients thickness were sampled aid separating other radiative more tightly constrain closure tests, including those satellite retrievals. Early results include demonstration unexpected importance carbonaceous compounds water condensed East Coast plume, chemical apportionment depth, aerosol-induced changes upwelling downwelling shortwave fluxes, generally good agreement between measured flux calculated properties. This overview presents objectives, rationale, overall experimental approach, key initial findings as guide complete reported special section elsewhere.