Observational Constraints on the Aerosol Optical Depth-Surface PM_2.5 Relationship during Alaskan Wildfire Seasons.

ABSTRACT: Wildfire is one of the main sources of PM_2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μm) in the Alaskan summer. The complexity in wildfire smokes, as well as limited coverage of ground measurements, poses a big challenge to estimate surface PM_2.5 during wildfire season in Alaska. Here we aim at proposing a quick and direct method to estimate surface PM_2.5 over Alaska, especially in places exposed to strong wildfire events with limited measurements. We compare the AOD-surface PM_2.5 conversion factor (η = PM_2.5/AOD; AOD, aerosol optical depth) from the chemical transport model GEOS-Chem (η_GC) and from observations (η_obs). We show that η_GC is biased high compared to η_obs under smoky

SUBMITTER: Zhao T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11407303 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature