Atmospheric aerosol variability in Estonia calculated from solar radiation measurements

Abstract

Direct solar radiation data obtained during 1955—1994 at the Tõravere Actinometric Station (Estonia) have been used to study the long-term variations of the atmospheric aerosol. In a linear approximation, the optical thickness of atmospheric aerosol averaged over months from April to August has increased by 73% at Tõravere during the last 40 years. The aerosol loading of the atmosphere depends on wind direction, the southern and southeastern winds being the main carriers of aerosol. During the last decade, the increase in the optical thickness of aerosol in the case of W-, NW- and N-winds has slowed down. This is most likely caused by a reduction in the SO₂ emission in Western and Central Europe as well as in Finland. In April, the advection of aerosol is greatest from the NE-direction. We suppose that this effect points to the possibility of aerosol transfer to Estonia through the Arctic regions.