Department of Physics and Astronomy: Publications and Other Research
Date of this Version
2014
Citation
Atmospheric Research 149 (2014) 120–135; http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2014.05.021
Abstract
The Pierre Auger Observatory ismaking significant contributions towards understanding the nature and origin of ultra-high energy cosmic rays. One of its main challenges is the monitoring of the atmosphere, both in terms of its state variables and its optical properties. The aim of this work is to analyse aerosol optical depth τa(z) valuesmeasured from2004 to 2012 at the observatory,which is located in a remote and relatively unstudied area of Pampa Amarilla, Argentina. The aerosol optical depth is in average quite low – annual mean τa(3.5 km) ∼ 0.04 – and shows a seasonal trend with a winter minimum – τa(3.5 km) ∼ 0.03 –, and a summer maximum – τa(3.5 km) ∼ 0.06 –, and an unexpected increase from August to September — τa(3.5 km) ∼ 0.055. We computed backward trajectories for the years 2005 to 2012 to interpret the air mass origin. Winter nights with low aerosol concentrations show air masses originating from the Pacific Ocean. Average concentrations are affected by continental sources (wind-blown dust and urban pollution), whilst the peak observed in September and October could be linked to biomass burning in the northern part of Argentina or air pollution coming from surrounding urban areas.
Comments
A US government work.