Classification of Aerosols and Determination of Mineral Dust Transport Paths to Eastern Mediterranean Regions of Turkey

Abstract

Atmospheric aerosols are liquid and solid particles dispersed in a gas. Aerosols are emitted into the atmosphere through anthropogenic sources or natural sources. They cause adverse effects on human health. Additionally, they can scatter and absorb light from the sun. While they reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the atmosphere with their scattering properties, they increase the amount of radiation retained in the atmosphere with their absorption properties. Most of them scatter solar radiation, while some absorb it. Its net effects are known to cause cooling in the atmosphere. They should be classified according to their source, size, and chemical structure to evaluate their impacts. Dust is one of the most common aerosols of natural origin in the atmosphere. It is thought that dust transport from the deserts in the south of Turkey, especially to the southern regions, occurs and increases the aerosol load. This study classified aerosols in the region according to their optical properties. As a result of the classification, aerosols released from combustion, industrial aerosols, newly formed smoke aerosols, and dust aerosols were found in the region. It was determined that the aerosol load in the region increased with dust transport, and the highest increase was observed in the spring, while the lowest increase was observed in the winter. The rough mode volume density ratio representing dust to the total amount of aerosol is 95-99% for spring and 90-93% for other seasons when the dust is transported. As a result of the wind analysis, it was determined that the region received wind from the deserts located in the south.