[CF-metadata] new standard names for surface aerosol optical properties

From: Markus Fiebig <Markus.Fiebig>
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2012 13:29:13 +0000

Dear all,

since the WMO Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) programme is moving towards using CF standard names as standard vocabulary, I'd like to propose a few standard names that represent aerosol properties being observed at the GAW surface sites. Since there seem to be various opinions about the procedure, I opened a corresponding ticket on the cf metadata track system and will now also post my proposal on this mailing list. Here's the list of variables and definitions:


1) volume_scattering_coefficient_in_air_due_to_dry_aerosol

The volume scattering coefficient is the fractional change of radiative flux per unit path length due to redirection of an incident light beam by a component in the reference volume. "Aerosol" means the suspended liquid or solid particles in air (except cloud droplets). "Dry aerosol" is aerosol at a relative humidity < 40% where it hasn't taken up ambient water by hygroscopic growth. The specification of a physical process by the phrase "due_to_" process means that the quantity named is a single term in a sum of terms which together compose the general quantity named by omitting the phrase.


2) volume_absorption_coefficient_in_air_due_to_dry_aerosol

The volume absorption coefficient is the fractional change of radiative flux per unit path length due to absorption of an incident light beam by a component in the reference volume. "Aerosol" means the suspended liquid or solid particles in air (except cloud droplets). "Dry aerosol" is aerosol at a relative humidity < 40% where it hasn't taken up ambient water by hygroscopic growth. The specification of a physical process by the phrase "due_to_" process means that the quantity named is a single term in a sum of terms which together compose the general quantity named by omitting the phrase.


3) volume_hemispheric_backscattering_coefficient_in_air_due_to_dry_aerosol

The volume hemispheric backscattering coefficient is the fractional change of radiative flux per unit path length due to redirection of an incident light beam into the rearward hemisphere relative to the incident beam by a component in the reference volume. It is distinct from the backscattering coefficient which isn't integrated over the rearward hemisphere. "Aerosol" means the suspended liquid or solid particles in air (except cloud droplets). "Dry aerosol" is aerosol at a relative humidity < 40% where it hasn't taken up ambient water by hygroscopic growth. The specification of a physical process by the phrase "due_to_" process means that the quantity named is a single term in a sum of terms which together compose the general quantity named by omitting the phrase.


4) surface_volume_scattering_coefficient_at_stp_in_air_due_to_pm1_dry_aerosol

The volume scattering coefficient is the fractional change of radiative flux per unit path length due to redirection of an incident light beam by a component in the reference volume. "Aerosol" means the suspended liquid or solid particles in air (except cloud droplets). "Dry aerosol" is aerosol at a relative humidity < 40% where it hasn't taken up ambient water by hygroscopic growth. The specification of a physical process by the phrase "due_to_" process means that the quantity named is a single term in a sum of terms which together compose the general quantity named by omitting the phrase. "surface" means the lower boundary of the atmosphere. "at_stp" refers to a volume at standard conditions of temperature (273.15 K) and pressure (1013.25 hPa). "pm1" refers to the fraction of aerosol particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to 1 micrometer.


5) surface_volume_scattering_coefficient_at_stp_in_air_due_to_pm10_dry_aerosol

The volume scattering coefficient is the fractional change of radiative flux per unit path length due to redirection of an incident light beam by a component in the reference volume. "Aerosol" means the suspended liquid or solid particles in air (except cloud droplets). "Dry aerosol" is aerosol at a relative humidity < 40% where it hasn't taken up ambient water by hygroscopic growth. The specification of a physical process by the phrase "due_to_" process means that the quantity named is a single term in a sum of terms which together compose the general quantity named by omitting the phrase. "surface" means the lower boundary of the atmosphere. "at_stp" refers to a volume at standard conditions of temperature (273.15 K) and pressure (1013.25 hPa). "pm10" refers to the fraction of aerosol particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to 10 micrometers.


6) surface_volume_absorption_coefficient_at_stp_in_air_due_to_pm1_dry_aerosol

The volume absorption coefficient is the fractional change of radiative flux per unit path length due to absorption of an incident light beam by a component in the reference volume. "Aerosol" means the suspended liquid or solid particles in air (except cloud droplets). "Dry aerosol" is aerosol at a relative humidity < 40% where it hasn't taken up ambient water by hygroscopic growth. The specification of a physical process by the phrase "due_to_" process means that the quantity named is a single term in a sum of terms which together compose the general quantity named by omitting the phrase. "surface" means the lower boundary of the atmosphere. "at_stp" refers to a volume at standard conditions of temperature (273.15 K) and pressure (1013.25 hPa). "pm1" refers to the fraction of aerosol particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to 1 micrometers.


7) surface_volume_absorption_coefficient_at_stp_in_air_due_to_pm10_dry_aerosol

The volume absorption coefficient is the fractional change of radiative flux per unit path length due to absorption of an incident light beam by a component in the reference volume. "Aerosol" means the suspended liquid or solid particles in air (except cloud droplets). "Dry aerosol" is aerosol at a relative humidity < 40% where it hasn't taken up ambient water by hygroscopic growth. The specification of a physical process by the phrase "due_to_" process means that the quantity named is a single term in a sum of terms which together compose the general quantity named by omitting the phrase. "surface" means the lower boundary of the atmosphere. "at_stp" refers to a volume at standard conditions of temperature (273.15 K) and pressure (1013.25 hPa). "pm10" refers to the fraction of aerosol particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to 10 micrometers.


8) surface_volume_hemispheric_backscattering_coefficient_at_stp_in_air_due_to_pm1_dry_aerosol

The volume hemispheric backscattering coefficient is the fractional change of radiative flux per unit path length due to redirection of an incident light beam into the rearward hemisphere relative to the incident beam by a component in the reference volume. It is distinct from the backscattering coefficient which isn't integrated over the rearward hemisphere. "Aerosol" means the suspended liquid or solid particles in air (except cloud droplets). "Dry aerosol" is aerosol at a relative humidity < 40% where it hasn't taken up ambient water by hygroscopic growth. The specification of a physical process by the phrase "due_to_" process means that the quantity named is a single term in a sum of terms which together compose the general quantity named by omitting the phrase. "surface" means the lower boundary of the atmosphere. "at_stp" refers to a volume at standard conditions of temperature (273.15 K) and pressure (1013.25 hPa). "pm1" refers to the fraction of aerosol particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less
than or equal to 1 micrometers.


9) surface_volume_hemispheric_backscattering_coefficient_at_stp_in_air_due_to_pm10_dry_aerosol

The volume hemispheric backscattering coefficient is the fractional change of radiative flux per unit path length due to redirection of an incident light beam into the rearward hemisphere relative to the incident beam by a component in the reference volume. It is distinct from the backscattering coefficient which isn't integrated over the rearward hemisphere. "Aerosol" means the suspended liquid or solid particles in air (except cloud droplets). "Dry aerosol" is aerosol at a relative humidity < 40% where it hasn't taken up ambient water by hygroscopic growth. The specification of a physical process by the phrase "due_to_" process means that the quantity named is a single term in a sum of terms which together compose the general quantity named by omitting the phrase. "surface" means the lower boundary of the atmosphere. "at_stp" refers to a volume at standard conditions of temperature (273.15 K) and pressure (1013.25 hPa). "pm10" refers to the fraction of aerosol particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less
 than or equal to 10 micrometers.


10) volume_scattering_coefficient_in_air_due_to_aerosol

The volume scattering coefficient is the fractional change of radiative flux per unit path length due to redirection of an incident light beam by a component in the reference volume. "Aerosol" means the suspended liquid or solid particles in air (except cloud droplets). "Aerosol" without further qualification such as dry or ambient means that the aerosol humidity state is stated in the data. The specification of a physical process by the phrase "due_to_" process means that the quantity named is a single term in a sum of terms which together compose the general quantity named by omitting the phrase.


11) volume_absorption_coefficient_in_air_due_to_aerosol

The volume absorption coefficient is the fractional change of radiative flux per unit path length due to absorption of an incident light beam by a component in the reference volume. "Aerosol" means the suspended liquid or solid particles in air (except cloud droplets). "Aerosol" without further qualification such as dry or ambient means that the aerosol humidity state is stated in the data. The specification of a physical process by the phrase "due_to_" process means that the quantity named is a single term in a sum of terms which together compose the general quantity named by omitting the phrase.


12) volume_hemispheric_backscattering_coefficient_in_air_due_to_aerosol

The volume hemispheric backscattering coefficient is the fractional change of radiative flux per unit path length due to redirection of an incident light beam into the rearward hemisphere relative to the incident beam by a component in the reference volume. It is distinct from the backscattering coefficient which isn't integrated over the rearward hemisphere. "Aerosol" without further qualification such as dry or ambient means that the aerosol humidity state is stated in the data. The specification of a physical process by the phrase "due_to_" process means that the quantity named is a single term in a sum of terms which together compose the general quantity named by omitting the phrase.


13) surface_volume_scattering_coefficient_at_stp_in_air_due_to_pm1_aerosol

The volume scattering coefficient is the fractional change of radiative flux per unit path length due to redirection of an incident light beam by a component in the reference volume. "Aerosol" means the suspended liquid or solid particles in air (except cloud droplets). "Aerosol" without further qualification such as dry or ambient means that the aerosol humidity state is stated in the data. The specification of a physical process by the phrase "due_to_" process means that the quantity named is a single term in a sum of terms which together compose the general quantity named by omitting the phrase. "surface" means the lower boundary of the atmosphere. "at_stp" refers to a volume at standard conditions of temperature (273.15 K) and pressure (1013.25 hPa). "pm1" refers to the fraction of aerosol particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to 1 micrometer.


14) surface_volume_scattering_coefficient_at_stp_in_air_due_to_pm10_aerosol

The volume scattering coefficient is the fractional change of radiative flux per unit path length due to redirection of an incident light beam by a component in the reference volume. "Aerosol" means the suspended liquid or solid particles in air (except cloud droplets). "Aerosol" without further qualification such as dry or ambient means that the aerosol humidity state is stated in the data. The specification of a physical process by the phrase "due_to_" process means that the quantity named is a single term in a sum of terms which together compose the general quantity named by omitting the phrase. "surface" means the lower boundary of the atmosphere. "at_stp" refers to a volume at standard conditions of temperature (273.15 K) and pressure (1013.25 hPa). "pm10" refers to the fraction of aerosol particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to 10 micrometers.


15) surface_volume_absorption_coefficient_at_stp_in_air_due_to_pm1_aerosol

The volume absorption coefficient is the fractional change of radiative flux per unit path length due to absorption of an incident light beam by a component in the reference volume. "Aerosol" means the suspended liquid or solid particles in air (except cloud droplets). "Aerosol" without further qualification such as dry or ambient means that the aerosol humidity state is stated in the data. The specification of a physical process by the phrase "due_to_" process means that the quantity named is a single term in a sum of terms which together compose the general quantity named by omitting the phrase. "surface" means the lower boundary of the atmosphere. "at_stp" refers to a volume at standard conditions of temperature (273.15 K) and pressure (1013.25 hPa). "pm1" refers to the fraction of aerosol particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to 1 micrometers.


16) surface_volume_absorption_coefficient_at_stp_in_air_due_to_pm10_aerosol

The volume absorption coefficient is the fractional change of radiative flux per unit path length due to absorption of an incident light beam by a component in the reference volume. "Aerosol" means the suspended liquid or solid particles in air (except cloud droplets). "Aerosol" without further qualification such as dry or ambient means that the aerosol humidity state is stated in the data. The specification of a physical process by the phrase "due_to_" process means that the quantity named is a single term in a sum of terms which together compose the general quantity named by omitting the phrase. "surface" means the lower boundary of the atmosphere. "at_stp" refers to a volume at standard conditions of temperature (273.15 K) and pressure (1013.25 hPa). "pm10" refers to the fraction of aerosol particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to 10 micrometers.


17) surface_volume_hemispheric_backscattering_coefficient_at_stp_in_air_due_to_pm1_aerosol

The volume hemispheric backscattering coefficient is the fractional change of radiative flux per unit path length due to redirection of an incident light beam into the rearward hemisphere relative to the incident beam by a component in the reference volume. It is distinct from the backscattering coefficient which isn't integrated over the rearward hemisphere. "Aerosol" means the suspended liquid or solid particles in air (except cloud droplets). "Aerosol" without further qualification such as dry or ambient means that the aerosol humidity state is stated in the data. The specification of a physical process by the phrase "due_to_" process means that the quantity named is a single term in a sum of terms which together compose the general quantity named by omitting the phrase. "surface" means the lower boundary of the atmosphere. "at_stp" refers to a volume at standard conditions of temperature (273.15 K) and pressure (1013.25 hPa). "pm1" refers to the fraction of aerosol particles with an aerodynamic diameter
of less than or equal to 1 micrometers.


18) surface_volume_hemispheric_backscattering_coefficient_at_stp_in_air_due_to_pm10_aerosol

The volume hemispheric backscattering coefficient is the fractional change of radiative flux per unit path length due to redirection of an incident light beam into the rearward hemisphere relative to the incident beam by a component in the reference volume. It is distinct from the backscattering coefficient which isn't integrated over the rearward hemisphere. "Aerosol" means the suspended liquid or solid particles in air (except cloud droplets). "Aerosol" without further qualification such as dry or ambient means that the aerosol humidity state is stated in the data. The specification of a physical process by the phrase "due_to_" process means that the quantity named is a single term in a sum of terms which together compose the general quantity named by omitting the phrase. "surface" means the lower boundary of the atmosphere. "at_stp" refers to a volume at standard conditions of temperature (273.15 K) and pressure (1013.25 hPa). "pm10" refers to the fraction of aerosol particles with an aerodynamic diameter
 of less than or equal to 10 micrometers.

_______________________________________
Dr. Markus Fiebig

Dept. Atmospheric and Climate Research (ATMOS)
Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU)
P.O. Box 100
N-2027 Kjeller
Norway

Tel.: +47 6389-8235
Fax : +47 6389-8050
e-mail: Markus.Fiebig at nilu.no
skype: markus.fiebig
Received on Wed Mar 07 2012 - 06:29:13 GMT