Observation of atmospheric aerosol scattering coefficient, absorption coefficient, and SSA based on nephelometer and aethalometer measurements in Wuhan City, Central China

Atmospheric aerosols have significant effects on raditive forcing and climate systems [1, 2]. Precise measurements of aerosol optical properties are required to be made on a global scale to understand the quantitative aerosol radiation effects. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive aerosol experiment, which is the first of its kind, in urban Wuhan, central China in 2011. The means of the scattering coefficient, absorption coefficient, and SSA were 405.66 Mm
^-1
, 131.64 Mm
^-1
and 0.75, respectively. Atmospheric boundary layer heights (APLHs) played an important role in annual and diurnal variations of aerosol optical properties. Both scattering and absorption coefficients were large in winter and low in summer. And both were high at 7:00 LT because of the abundant motor vehicle exhaust emissions during the morning rush hours. These results can further provide a scientific basis for local environmental policies for the government.