Lower tropospheric vertical distribution of aerosol particles over Syowa Station, Antarctica from spring to summer 2004

Vertical distributions of atmospheric aerosol particles were measured nine times up to 5200 m a.s.l. using an aircraft over Syowa Station, East Antarctica during September-December 2004. Measurements were made for number concentrations of condensation nuclei (CN, Dp>10 nm), number-size distribution larger than 0.3 μm diameter, air temperature, humidity, and GPS position. During spring, the vertical profile of CN concentration showed large variability (100-1000 cm^(-3)), but it was mostly constant in summer. Vertical profiles of number-size distribution larger than 0.3 μm showed a systematic shift at altitudes greater than 4000 m. Both concentrations of aerosol number for Dp>0.3 μm and integrated volume between 0.3 and 1.0 μm showed constantly lower values at altitudes greater than 4000 m. These data suggest that the shift of aerosol parameters results from depletion of coarse particles such as sea salts. Maximum concentrations of the volume and CN were obtained respectively from the profiles on 7 October and 29 November 2004. These events are interpreted as sources and transport processes based on synoptic meteorological data, an ocean color index produced by SeaWiFS, and backward air trajectory analysis