Characteristics of Aerosols

1
Characteristics of Aerosols

• The term aerosols, is a common name for dust,
  smoke, and haze in the atmosphere.
• Aerosols are liquid or solid particles suspended
  in air.
• Their mass concentration can be divided into
  fine and coarse modes.
• The fine mode, lt 1-2 mm in diameter, is made up
  of liquid particles.
• Fine particle mass includes sulfates, nitrates,
  organics, and trace metals.
• Coarse particles (gt 1-2 mm) are irregularly
  shaped of soil dust or sea salt crystals.

2
Measures of atmospheric aerosols

• Mass concentrations at the surface, mg/m3
• Light scattering coefficient, bs
  m-1
• Vertical optical depth,
• Backscattering of light to space,

??bsdh
??pbdh
3
Anthropogenic Pollution
Over the past century, humans have become a major
causal factor in the biogeochemical balance of
the Earth. Fossil fuel combustion increases the
flow of carbon, sulfur and trace metals.
Deforestation, increased burning of the biomass
causes additional stress. Finally, burning of
fossil fuels by humans can also be quantity of
smoke and haze.