Assessment of a new detection threshold for PM10 concentrations linked to African dust events in the Caribbean Basin

摘要: Abstract The Lesser Antilles is an intermediate zone located between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. This area frequently affected by major long range Saharan dust transportation from West African desert sources. aerosols optical properties are provided AEronet Robotic NETwork (AERONET) measurement sites in Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, Barbados. Thus, Aerosols Optical Depth (AOD), Angstrom Exponent (AE), Volume Particle Size Distribution (VPSD), complex refractive indexes, Single Scattering Albedo (SSA) were used to define predominant type of atmospheric particles namely sea salt aerosols, mineral or mixture. Obtained results show that column (AOD) surface measurements ( P M 10 ) well correlated with correlation coefficients 0.72 0.81 respectively for Guadeloupe. Detailed analysis data associated daily concentrations highlighted phenomenon can be observable below threshold 50 μ g ∕ m 3 given European directives detect episodes. Indeed, islands, episodes have been detected 35 . climatological assessment monthly events observed Martinique 2006 2016 a low season November February high May August. Both seasons separated two transition periods: March April September October. Lastly, day-to-day back trajectories (NOAA-HYSPLIT) illustrated general circulation three main routes: North Path (62.7%); South (20.8%) ; East (15.1%). By computing average bring each path, we notice most loaded because he comes one persistently active intense sources world, i.e. Bodele Depression northern Chad.