Decomposition of three aerosol types using lidar-derived depolarization ratios at two wavelengths

Abstract. Lidar-based algorithms for aerosol-type separation have the potential to improve air-quality assessments, estimates of aerosol direct and indirect radiative forcing, and the detailed characterization of their vertical distribution. In this study, we present an easy-to-apply algorithm that employs lidar-derived particle linear depolarization ratios measured at two wavelengths to separate up to three aerosol-type-specific particle backscatter fractions. These fractions are estimated under the assumptions that the depolarization ratios of each aerosol type in the mixture differ, and that both the depolarization ratios and the backscatter-related Ångström exponents at two wavelengths for each aerosol type are known. The mathematical relationship between particle linear depolarization ratios at two wavelengths for an aerosol mixture has been derived and expressed as a system of equations. These equations define the region of the observational space that can be meaningfully populated, with boundaries determined by the depolarization ratios and backscatter-related Ångström exponents of the pure aerosol types. Data collected in the Arabian Peninsula confirmed the predicted region of the observational space. The proposed algorithm is applied to synthetic dust mixtures as well as to atmospheric lidar observations of Arabian dust, Asian dust, Saharan dust and their mixtures, with the goal of decomposing coarse-mode dust, fine-mode dust, and low-depolarizing non-dust aerosols. We also discuss the impact of uncertainties in the prior optical properties of the pure aerosol types, along with the effects of observational uncertainties and biases. Overall, the method enhances the potential of dual-wavelength depolarization measurements for improving our understanding of the vertical distribution of coarse and fine dust.