Atmospheric Aerosol Climatology over the Globe: Emphasis on Dust Storms

Abstract

Atmospheric aerosols play a major role in climate change science debate. These can influence climate in two ways, directly and indirectly. Since the -concentration and composition of atmospheric aerosols are very variable in time and space, their characteristics cannot be studied individually, but in terms of their climatological effects. This study gives some of the main features that characterize atmospheric aerosols. Four locations in the world are selected due to their different environments (weather and atmospheric conditions). The aerosol optical depth and the Ångström-exponent are examined at these sites for the period 2002-2004. Emphasis is given on the atmospheric aerosols in the form of dust. The aerosol -optical depth and the aerosol index are presented for a dust storm that occurred over Greece in April 2005. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012.