The spectral aerosol extinction monitoring system (SÇMS): Setup, observational products, and comparisons

Abstract

The Spectral Aerosol Extinction Monitoring System (SÇMS) is presented that allows us to continuously measure the spectral extinction coefficient of atmospheric aerosol particles along an approximately 2.7 km long optical path at 30-50 m height above ground in Leipzig (51.3 N, 12.4 E), Germany. The fully automated instrument measures the ambient aerosol extinction coefficients from 300 to 1000 nm. The main goal of SÇMS observations are long-term studies of the relationship between particle extinction and relative humidity from below 40% to almost 100%. The setup is presented and observations (a case study and statistical results for 2009) are discussed in terms of time series of 550 nm particle optical depth, Ångström exponent, and particle size distribution retrieved from the spectrally resolved extinction. The SÇMS measurements are compared with simultaneously performed EARLINET (European Aerosol Research Lidar Network) lidar, AERONET (Aerosol Robotic Network) sun photometer, and i. © 2014 Author (s).