ABSTRACT

Using the European Skynet Radiometers (ESR).pack algorithm and data obtained in the Yinchuan (China) area in 2019 using a Cimel CE-318 sun photometer, this study inverted aerosol parameters such as optical depth, volume size distribution, phase function and single scattering albedo. Additionally, the HYSPLIT backward-trajectory model was used to establish the source characteristics of the aerosols in each season and to determine their climatic impact. Results showed that aerosol optical depth had an evident seasonal trend of change, reaching a maximum (minimum) in spring (summer), and continue to rise in autumn and winter. The relationship between aerosol optical depth and the Ångstrom exponent in each season showed that the types of aerosol in the Yinchuan area changed little between seasons, comprising mainly mixed aerosols followed by continental clean aerosols. The volume size distribution presented a bimodal shape, reflecting that the peak of fine (coarse) particles increased significantly on hazy (dusty) days. Moreover, the biggest change in the trend of the volume size distribution was in summer. The phase function distribution revealed evident side and back scattering by dust aerosol particles. Change in the single scattering albedo on both hazy and dusty days was reasonably stable, but the value on dusty days was larger than that on hazy days. The single scattering albedo was largest (smallest) in summer (winter). Moreover, the clustering results of wind field trajectories show that the Yinchuan area is greatly affected by the wind field from the north throughout the year. The findings of this study have particular importance regarding research into the characteristics of aerosol parameters using CE-318 sun photometers at sites that are not part of the global AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) project.