Influence of atmospheric models on the aerosol optical parameters inversion and classification

Aerosols have a significant impact on the global ecosystem, material cycle, so it is important to study the accuracy of basic data such as aerosol optical parameters. Using the data from four observing stations (Potenza, Leipzig, Lille, Evora) of the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network during two intensive measurement campaigns, the effects of temperature and pressure profiles provided by different atmospheric models on the inversion of aerosol optical parameters (extinction and backscatter coefficients) and aerosol classification are analyzed. The results show that: different atmoshpere models have an influence on the retrieval results of aerosol optical parameters, resulting in deviations in the calculation results, more influence can be found from the aerosol extinction coefficients obtained by the Raman method, with the maximum deviation ~20% at both 355 nm and 532 nm. Atmosphere aerosol concentration can also affect the retrieval results of aerosol optical parameter with different models and vary with the wavelength of observation. In addition, different models can influence the retrieval results of the aerosol lidar ratio and Ångström exponent, which are related to aerosol types, and ultimately affect the aerosol classification. The results are significant for revealing the importance of the selection of atmospheric models in the retrieval of aerosol optical parameters, for aerosol classification and related research in atmospheric science.