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Convenient models of the atmosphere: optics and solar radiation

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Abstract

Simple optical models of clear and cloudy atmosphere are proposed. Four versions of atmospheric aerosols content are considered: a complete lack of aerosols in the atmosphere, low background concentration (500 cm−3), high concentrations (2000 cm−3) and very high content of particles (5000 cm−3). In a cloud scenario, the model of external mixture is assumed. The values of optical thickness and single scattering albedo for 13 wavelengths are calculated in the short wavelength range of 0.28–0.90 µm, with regard to the molecular absorption bands, that is simulated with triangle function. A comparison of the proposed optical parameters with results of various measurements and retrieval (lidar measurement, sampling, processing radiation measurements) is presented. For a cloudy atmosphere models of single-layer and two-layer atmosphere are proposed. It is found that cloud optical parameters with assuming the “external mixture” agrees with retrieved values from airborne observations. The results of calculating hemispherical fluxes of the reflected and transmitted solar radiation and the radiative divergence are obtained with the Delta-Eddington approach. The calculation is done for surface albedo values of 0, 0.5, 0.9 and for spectral values of the sandy surface. Four values of solar zenith angle: 0°, 30°, 40° and 60° are taken. The obtained values are compared with data of radiative airborne observations. Estimating the local instantaneous radiative forcing of atmospheric aerosols and clouds for considered models is presented together with the heating rate.

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Acknowledgments

The equipment of the Resources Centre “Observatory of Environmental Safety” of Research Park, St. Petersburg State University has been used for the study. The authors are grateful for the support of work: The reported study was funded by RFBR according to the research project № 16-55-00131 Bel_a—Pollution and warming of the atmospheric above a megapolis on the base of radiation transfer modelling and remote sensing data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. A.M.Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric Physics of Russian Academy of Sciences, Pyghevsky, 8, Moscow, 119017, Russia

    Ginsburg Alexander

  2. Voeikov Main Geophysical Observatory, Karbysheva 7, St. Petersburg, Russia, 194021

    Frolkis Victor

  3. St. Petersburg State University of Economics, Sadovaya 21, St. Petersburg, Russia, 191023

    Frolkis Victor

  4. St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya, 7/9, St. Petersburg, Russia, 199034

    Melnikova Irina & Samulenkov Dmitriy

  5. Russian State Hydrometeorological University, Malookhtinsky, 98, St. Petersburg, Russia, 195196

    Novikov Sergey & Sapunov Maxim

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  1. Ginsburg Alexander
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  2. Frolkis Victor
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  3. Melnikova Irina
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  4. Novikov Sergey
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Correspondence to Melnikova Irina.

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Responsible Editor: S.-W. Kim.

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Alexander, G., Victor, F., Irina, M. et al. Convenient models of the atmosphere: optics and solar radiation. Meteorol Atmos Phys 131, 157–174 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-017-0561-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-017-0561-6

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