[CF-metadata] Correct name for aerosol size distribution expressed in numbers ?

From: Jonathan Gregory <j.m.gregory>
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2010 11:27:25 +0000

Dear Bruno

The guidelines exist only to suggest how new standard names should be
constructed. It doesn't imply that a name which conforms to the guidelines
automatically exists. The names still have to be proposed and agreed.

I agree, you could regard your quantity as a kind of histogram. However a
simple solution might be just to use the existing standard name of
number_concentration_of_ambient_aerosol_in_air, and include a coordinate
variable to specify the sizes, and their ranges recorded in the bounds of
the coord variable. Then you need a standard_name to identify this coord
and I don't think we have an appropriate one at present. Perhaps
 size_of_ambient_aerosol_particle
would be right?

Doing it this way means the number concentration is expressed as a function
of size, just as it is (or could be) a function of latitude, longitude,
height and time.

Best wishes

Jonathan
Received on Wed Nov 24 2010 - 04:27:25 GMT