Atmospheric aerosol distribution in the Belarus-Ukraine region by the GEOS–Chem model and AERONET measurements

ABSTRACT

We use a global chemical transport model, GEOS–Chem (Goddard Earth Observing System – Chemistry model), to simulate the spatial and temporal distribution of atmospheric concentrations of specific aerosol types over the Belarus-Ukraine region for period 2010–2013. Results of the model simulation are evaluated with observations from Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) sites. To provide accurate comparison, we convert simulated aerosol components concentration into coarse, fine, and total aerosol column volume concentrations taking into account the hygroscopic growth of particles. Model-predicted and remotely sensed aerosol volume concentrations are in reasonable agreement. Comparison of the GEOS–Chem model results to the spatial distribution of the aerosol sources of coarse- and fine-mode fractions for the region investigated shows correspondence in general for coarse mode but differences for fine mode.

Acknowledgements

We thank B. Holben (NASA/GSFC) for managing the AERONET programme and its sites. The authors also thank the GEOS–Chem Model development team for access to model resources.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

We acknowledge support by the Special Complex Program for Space Research 2012–2016 of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (the NASU); by Le Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and the NASU [project PICS 2013-2015]; by the Belarusian Republican Foundation for Fundamental Research [the project F13B-012]; and by Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv [project numbers 16BF051-02 and 16BF023-01].