Evolution of biomass burning aerosol properties from an agricultural fire in southern Africa

Abstract

Measurements on the UK Met Office C‐130 within a distinct biomass burning plume during the Southern AFricAn Regional science Initiative (SAFARI 2000) show an increase in the single scattering albedo as the aerosol ages, from 0.84 at source to 0.90 in the aged regional haze in 5 hours. Condensation of scattering material from the gas phase appears to be the dominant mechanism; the change in black carbon morphology, from a chain to clump like structure, does not significantly affect the bulk aerosol single scattering albedo.