Dust storm and black cloud influence on aerosol optical properties over Cairo and the Greater Delta region, Egypt

We have analysed aerosol and cloud properties, obtained from moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, over Cairo and the Greater Delta region during the spring months of March, April and May (MAM) and the autumn months of September, October and November (SON) in the years 2004, 20...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inInternational journal of remote sensing Vol. 29; no. 24; pp. 7199 - 7211
Main Authors El-Askary, H., Kafatos, M.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Abingdon Taylor & Francis 01.12.2008
Subjects
Applied geophysics
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Internal geophysics
North Africa
Africa
Egypt
Egypt, Arab Rep., Cairo
MED, Egypt, Arab Rep
atmosphere
Atmospheric condition
detection
aerosols
Haze
fine-grained materials
remote sensing
clouds
pressure
pollution
Profile
dust storms
optical properties
water vapor
Air temperature
condensation
Optical thickness
deltas
dust
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Summary:We have analysed aerosol and cloud properties, obtained from moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, over Cairo and the Greater Delta region during the spring months of March, April and May (MAM) and the autumn months of September, October and November (SON) in the years 2004, 2005 and 2006. During these two time periods, we have examined dust storms, dense haze and a smog-like phenomenon known, locally, as the 'black cloud'. Our work is based on the aerosol optical depth (AOD), fine mode fraction (FMF) and cloud properties (cloud top temperature (CTT), cloud top pressure (CTP), atmospheric infrared sounder (AIRS) temperature profiles and water vapour column). High anomalous water vapour is detected, which we believe is as a result of pollution aerosols rather than dust and is hence acting as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). The CTT shows increasing and decreasing trends, corresponding to the dust occurring at ∼750-800 hpa and pollution episodes at >900 hpa, respectively as observed from the CTP. Temperature inversion conditions, as well as adverse weather conditions, contribute to the pollution observed by preventing pollutants from escaping to the higher atmosphere.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
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ISSN:0143-1161
1366-5901
DOI:10.1080/01431160802144179