Analysis of the Aerosol Extinction Characteristics in Different Areas of China

The multi-wavelength aerosol optical depths and the Angstrom exponent between 450 nm and 900 nm in four locations of China (Miyun, Beijing; Xinfeng, Guangdong; Waliguan, Qinghai and Damxung, Tibet) have been observed by sun-photometers. This paper analyzes their characteristics for a one-year period from February 1998 to January 1999. The results show that in the arid and semi-arid locations like Miyun (117.12°E, 40.65°N) and Waliguan (100.90°E, 36.29°N), there is a maximum of aerosol optical depth in the spring, it is about twice as large as in any other season. In a humid region like Xinfeng (114.2“E, 24.5°N), the aerosol optical depth also has a maximum in the spring, however it is only slightly larger than in other seasons. The Angstrom exponent shows a significant minimum at Waliguan in spring, about 0.15, indicating relatively large dust aerosol particles. Large variability of the monthly mean Angstrom exponent is also found in Miyun and Xinfeng, but there is no tendency with seasons. It means that the source of aerosol in these locations is complicated.

Analysis of extinction characteristics of non-spherical biological particle aggregates [Invited]

In this study,a method was presented to accurately obtain the extinction characteristics of the non-spherical biological particle aggregates.Based on the multi-sphere particle model of non-spherical particles,a randomly oriented aggregation model was firstly built to construct the aggregates.The discrete-dipole approximation method was used to calculate the extinction characteristics of aggregates in the 3–14 μm waveband.The average mass extinction coefficients of three materials are 0.802 m~2/g,0.907 m~2/g,and 0.866 m~2/g in the 3–5 μm waveband and 0.590 m~2/g,0.402 m~2/g,and 0.523 m~2/g in the8–14 μm band,respectively.Smoke chamber experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical analyses.

Optical extinction characteristics of three biofuel producing microalgae determined by an improved transmission method

The optical extinction characteristics of the three kinds of microalgae Nannochloropsis maritirna, Ellip- soidion sp. （277.03）, and Dunaliella tertiolecta were determined using an improved transmission method, in the 300-1800 nm spectral range. These three microalgae are promising candidates for the production of biofuels such as bio-hydrogen and biodiesel. The improved transmission method determines the spec- tral extinction coefficient of the microalgae. This is based on the measured transmittance, and employs an optical model that takes into consideration multiple reflections and refractions at the air-glass and glass-liquid interfaces. Silicon dioxide microspheres of monodisperse size were used as a model to verify the proposed method. The optical constants of the culture medium, size distributions, and extinction cross-sections of the microalgae cells were measured and analyzed. The improved transmission method is demonstrated to yield more accurate results than the traditional method. The spectral extinction effi- ciencies of the three kinds of microalgae show significant differences in the near ultraviolet and visible spectral regions. The spectral extinction efficiencies also exhibit small differences in the longer wave- length range of 950-1800 rim, with values generally less than 1.0. The measured extinction characteristics data of the three microalgae and the presented measurement method will facilitate process modeling in ohotobioreactors for biofuel oroduction.