On the importance of nitrate for the droplet concentration in stratocumulus in the North-Sea region

Anthropogenic aerosol particles serve as extra Cloud Condensation Nuclei (CCN), increasing the cloud droplet number concentration and modifying the cloud properties. The influence of manmade aerosol is the highest in a marine environment due to a limited number of natural CCN. Marine stratocumulus-like clouds (MSC) are the most frequent cloud...

Smoke shade as a historic proxy for elemental carbon

The blackness of aerosol filter samples, meant as a proxy for particulate mass concentration, is the earliest parameter for which monitoring data exist. The smoke shade method (developed in the late 1910s) was the standardised approach to collect samples. The blackness was visually appraised by a comparison with a set of reference sheets covered...

Extreme levels and chemistry of PM from the consumer fireworks in the Netherlands

Visibility in the Netherlands during New Year's fireworks: The role of soot and salty aerosol products

The visibility on New Year's nights in the Netherlands is low during stagnant weather. This is due to the scattering and absorption of light by the aerosol-smoke from the fireworks. We made an assessment of the responsible aerosol-species. The investigation took place during the New Year's night of 2009. Measurements were made at a regional site...

Aerosol chemical composition at Cabauw, the Netherlands as observed in two intensive periods in May 2008 and March 2009

Observations of aerosol chemical composition in Cabauw, the Netherlands, are presented for two intensive measurement periods in May 2008 and March 2009. Sub-micron aerosol chemical composition was measured by an Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS) and is compared to observations from aerosol size distribution measurements as well as...

Climate scenarios. Monitoring and profiling with Cesar Observatory

Evaluation of simulated aerosol properties with the aerosol-climate model ECHAM5-HAM using observations from the IMPACT field campaign

In May 2008, the measurement campaign IMPACT for observation of atmospheric aerosol and cloud properties was conducted in Cabauw, The Netherlands. With a nudged version of the coupled aerosol-climate model ECHAM5-HAM we simulate the size distribution and chemical composition of the aerosol and the associated aerosol optical thickness (AOT) for...

Simulation of aerosol optical thickness during IMPACT (May 2008, the Netherlands) with ECHAM5-HAM

In May 2008 the measurement campaign IMPACT for observation of atmospheric aerosol and cloud properties was conducted in Cabauw (The Netherlands). With a nudged version of the coupled aerosol-climate model ECHAM5-HAM we simulate aerosol and aerosol optical thickness (AOT) for the campaign period. Synoptic scale meteorology is represented...

Ground-based atmospheric remote sensing in the Netherlands: European outlook

This paper describes the contours of a Dutch monitoring and research site for climate change and related atmospheric processes. The station has large benefits for atmospheric science, both in The Netherlands and internationally. It provides a platform for collaboration in this important field, and will provide the routine observations needed to...