Publications

Sumanth, E, Mallikarjuna, K, Stephen, J, Moole, M, Vinoj, V, Satheesh, SK, Moorthy, KK (2004). Measurements of aerosol optical depths and black carbon over Bay of Bengal during post-monsoon season. GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, 31(16), L16115.

Abstract
Extensive and collocated measurements of aerosol optical depths (AODs), mass concentration of composite aerosols and aerosol black carbon (BC) were made over the Bay of Bengal (onboard R/V Sagar Kanya during its cruise #197) region during post-Indian summer monsoon period. These data along with MODIS (onboard TERRA satellite) data shows that aerosol visible AODs were in the range of 0.2 to 0.7 (with mean value of 0.43+/-0.12) and Angstrom wavelength exponent of similar to0.93+/-0.21 which in conjunction with a single scattering albedo (omega) of similar to0.94 indicates the presence of weakly absorbing aerosols. The BC mass fraction was similar to2.9+/-1.1% during post-monsoon season compared to 5.8+/-0.6% (with omega of similar to0.88) during pre-monsoon season. The presence of aerosols over Bay of Bengal during post-monsoon season decreases the short wave radiation reaching the surface by as much as 25 W m(-2) and increases top of the atmosphere reflected radiation by 14 W m(-2).

DOI:
10.1029/2004GL020681

ISSN:
0094-8276