Air mass characterization for optical propagation modeling in the coastal marine atmosphere

Terry E. Battalino

doi:10.1117/12.283898

23 September 1997 Air mass characterization for optical propagation modeling in the coastal marine atmosphere

Terry E. Battalino

Proceedings Volume 3125, Propagation and Imaging through the Atmosphere; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.283898
Event: Optical Science, Engineering and Instrumentation '97, 1997, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

The U.S. Navy Aerosol Model (NAM) was developed to compute aerosol extinction coefficients at visual and infrared wavelengths in the marine boundary layer atmosphere. The NAM provides an empirical assessment of the aerosol particle size distribution, which is derived from an input of background meteorological measurements, representative of real-thne atmospheric conditions. The NAM aerosol size distribution can be specified as the superimposition of three distinct aerosol production mechanisms, the first of which is comprised of an air mass driven component that can be parameterized in a variety of ways. The amplitude of the air mass component is the largest of the three aerosol modes and is the most difficult to measure. The other two modes depend upon wind speed to actuate the aerosol yield and are not of primary interest here. Air mass characterization is accomplished by parameterizing the amplitude of the air mass component four methodologies are discussed: (1) measuring the atmospheric radon gas concentration which is used as an air mass tracer, (2) computing air trajectories to determine air mass histories, (3) indexing trajectories to the radon count, and (4) measuring the condensation nuclei (CN) count. Data bases from the Navy EOPACE (Electro Optical Propagation Assessment in Coastal Environments) program will be employed to test and evaluate the potential air mass parameters. The advantages and disadvantages of each approach are discussed. The air mass index scheme using radon and air trajectories is outlined and the full development of the CN air mass parameter technique, including numerical and analytical solutions, is presented.

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Terry E. Battalino "Air mass characterization for optical propagation modeling in the coastal marine atmosphere", Proc. SPIE 3125, Propagation and Imaging through the Atmosphere, (23 September 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.283898

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KEYWORDS

Radon

Aerosols

Atmospheric particles

Atmospheric modeling

Ocean optics

Atmospheric optics

Coastal modeling

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