Retrieval and evaluation of tropospheric aerosol extinction profiles using MAX-DOAS measurements over Athens, Greece.

In this study, we report on the retrieval of aerosol extinction profiles from ground-based scattered sunlight multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) measurements, carried out at Athens, Greece. It is the first time that aerosol profiles are retrieved from MAX-DOAS measurements in Athens. The reported aerosol vertical distributions at 477 nm are derived from the oxygen dimer (O4) differential slant column density observations at different elevation angles by applying the BOREAS retrieval algorithm. Four case studies have been selected for validation purposes; the retrieved aerosol profiles and the corresponding aerosol optical depths (AODs) from the MAX-DOAS are compared with lidar extinction profiles and with sun photometric measurements (AERONET observations), respectively. Despite the different approach of each method regarding the retrieval of the aerosol information, the comparison with the lidar measurements at 532 nm reveals a very good agreement in terms of vertical distribution, with r > 0.85 in all cases. The AODs from the MAX-DOAS and the sun-photometer (the latter at 500 nm) show a satisfactory correlation (with r ≈ 0.6 in three out of the four cases). The comparison indicates that the MAX-DOAS systematically underestimates the AOD in the cases of large particles (small Ångström exponent) and for measurements at small relative azimuthal angles between the viewing direction and the Sun. Better agreement is achieved in the morning, at large relative azimuthal angles. Overall, the aerosol profiles retrieved from MAX-DOAS measurements are of good quality; thus, new perspectives are opened up for assessing urban aerosol pollution on a long term-basis in Athens from continuous and uninterrupted MAX-DOAS measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]