Dataset supporting: Advanced classification of light-absorbing aerosols using a two-dimensional Absorption Ångström Exponent (2D AAE) space
Year: 2026
Type: dataset
Abstract: This repository contains the data supporting the study “Advanced classification of light-absorbing aerosols using a two-dimensional Absorption Ångström Exponent (2D AAE) space.” The dataset was generated using the AE36s Aethalometer, a nine-wavelength filter-based absorption photometer measuring aerosol light absorption between 340 and 950 nm. Continuous field observations from multiple European monitoring sites were combined with laboratory experiments to characterise the spectral absorption properties of light-absorbing aerosols (LAA) and to develop a novel aerosol classification framework based on the combined use of AAE400–590, AAE590–950, and Δ340. The dataset enables discrimination between major aerosol types, including fresh and aged black carbon (BCfresh, BCaged), residential biomass burning (BBres), open biomass burning (BBopen), aged biomass-burning aerosol (BBaged), and mineral dust. The 2D AAE approach preserves information on spectral curvature that is lost in conventional single-range AAE analysis, improving aerosol source identification and interpretation of atmospheric light absorption measurements.
Authors: Gregorič, Asta, Ivančič, Matic, Brecelj, Irena J., Lavrič, Gašper, Alföldy, Balint, Muñoz, Amalia, Ródenas, Mila, Ferrero, Luca, D'Angelo, Luca, David, Julia, Vogel, Alexander L., Gysel-Beer, Martin, Brem, Benjamin Tobias, Pandolfi, Marco, Rovira Carpi, Jordi, Alastuey, Andres, Kalkavouras, Panayiotis, Grivas, Georgios, Mihalopoulos, Nikos, Ahonen, Lauri, Petäjä, Tuukka, Hammer, Tobias, Vasilatou, Konstantina, Rigler, Martin
Institutions: University of Nova Gorica, Aerosol d.o.o. (Slovenia), Mediterranean Center for Environmental Studies, University of Milano-Bicocca, Azienda Regionale per la protezione dell'ambiente Lombardia, Goethe University Frankfurt, Paul Scherrer Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway, National Observatory of Athens, University of Helsinki, Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology
Language: English
Subfield: Atmospheric Science
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7204462014