Chemistry, radiation, aerosols and clouds in the atmosphere of Córdoba City

MARÍA LAURA LOPEZ; MARIANA ACHAD; LUIS EDUARDO OLCESE; GUSTAVO GERARDO PALANCAR; BEATRIZ MARGARITA TOSELLI

Actas del Segundo Taller Argentino de Ciencias Ambientales

Universidad Nacional de Rosario

Lugar: Rosario; Año: 2013; p. 315 - 329

Ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B, 280-315 nm) is monitored in Córdoba, Argentina (31º 24´ S,64º 11´ W, 400 m above sea level) using a Yankee Environmental Systems (YES) pyranometer,model UVB-1. Measurements of solar broad band UV-B irradiances are conducted since November 1998. These are, to our knowledge, the first measurements obtained in Córdoba with a high quality pyranometer. For clear sky days, the measurements are in good agreement with results of a radiative transfer model. However, this study shows substantial reductions of UV-B radiation on cloudy days and days with high levels of particle matter. These two effects are comprehensively addressed in this chapter. The effects of cumulus, cirrus, and stratocumulus clouds on surface radiation are specifically analyzed. In addition, the effect of aerosols on air quality is addressed measuring the monthly concentration of PM10 (2009-2010) and PM2.5 (2009-2011) and the average chemical composition (2009-2010) by means of the Synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence technique (SR-XRF). Electronic microcopies (TEM, SEM) are used to analyze individual particles and provide complementary information on shape, size and chemical composition.