Maritime Aerosol Network as a component of Aerosol Robotic Network

The paper presents the current status of the Maritime Aerosol Network (MAN), which has been developed as a component of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET). MAN deploys Microtops hand-held sunphotometers and utilizes the calibration procedure and data processing (Version 2) traceable to AERONET. A web site dedicated to the MAN activity is described. A brief historical perspective is given to aerosol optical depth (AOD) measurements over the oceans. A short summary of the existing data, collected onboard ships of opportunity during the NASA Sensor Inter-comparison and Merger for Biological and Interdisciplinary Oceanic Studies (SIMBIOS) Project is presented. Globally-averaged oceanic aerosol optical depth (derived from island-based AERONET measurements) at 500 nm is ~0.11 and Angstrom parameter (computed within spectral range 440-870 nm) is calculated to be ~0.6. First results from the cruises contributing to the Maritime Aerosol Network are shown. MAN ship-based aerosol optical depth compare well to simultaneous island and near-coastal AERONET site AOD