EXTENSION OF THE MEDITERRANEAN COASTAL AEROSOL MODEL (MEDEX) TO A REGIONAL COVERAGE

摘要

The performance of electro-optical systems can be substantially affected by aerosol particles that scatter and absorb electromagnetic radiation. The performance assessment of EO systems by propagation prediction codes then requires accurate aerosol models. However, concentrations and optical properties of aerosol particles in the atmosphere are very variable both in time and space. In particular, coastal areas induce specific physical processes. To include coastal effects in the model for the prediction of aerosol concentrations, Piazzola et al. proposed an extension of the Navy Aerosol Model (NAM) to coastal areas. This work has been coupled with Mie theory to develop the aerosol extinction code MEDEX, which is based on an extensive series of measurements in the Mediterranean. The present paper deals with the extension of the predictions of MEDEX to a regional scale. To achieve it, MEDEX has been coupled with a regional meso-scale meteorological model (RAMS). This allows taking into account the details of the orography of the coast and a better modelling of the unsteadiness for both meteorological and oceanic conditions. The results show the feasibility of extending the predictions of MEDEX to any coastal site.