Approximation for the absorption coefficient of airborne atmospheric aerosol particles in terms of measurable bulk properties

Abstract

The absorption coefficient of airborne atmospheric aerosol particles can be approximated by where λ is the wavelength of radiation, n — ik is the mean complex refractive index, ρ the mean bulk density, and M / V k the mass of the particles per unit volume of air. This approximation gives good results at relative humidities between 0 and 0.95 for the wavelengths of radiation between 0.55 μm and 2.0 μm and between 9.25 μm and 12.0 μm. Basing on this approximation it is possible to determine the single scattering albedo of airborne atmospheric aerosol particles with known measuring techniques. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1977.tb00711.x