Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3159
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3159
20 Nov 2024
 | 20 Nov 2024

Investigating the link between mineral dust hematite content and intensive optical properties by means of lidar measurements and aerosol modelling

Sofía Gómez Maqueo Anaya, Dietrich Althausen, Julian Hofer, Moritz Haarig, Ulla Wandinger, Bernd Heinold, Ina Tegen, Matthias Faust, Holger Baars, Albert Ansmann, Ronny Engelmann, Annett Skupin, Birgit Heese, and Kerstin Schepanski

Abstract. This study investigates the relationship between lidar-measured intensive optical properties of Saharan dust and simulated hematite content, using data collected during the Joint Aeolus Tropical Atlantic Campaign (JATAC) in 2021 and 2022. Measurements were taken in Mindelo, São Vicente, Cabo Verde. The study aims to determine how variations in hematite content influence the intensive optical properties of dust particles, particularly in the ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectrum. Given the well-documented impact of hematite on the extinction properties of dust, especially absorption in the UV-VIS range, our hypothesis is that these effects will be detectable in lidar measurements. Specifically, this study focuses on the lidar ratio, particle depolarization ratio and backscatter- and extinction-related Ångström exponents at 355 nm and 532 nm wavelengths. By analyzing dust plume cases separately regarding their size differences, the strongest positive correlation was identified between the backscatter-related Ångström exponent and hematite fraction (r=0.87, p=0.02). These findings contribute to improving the representation of dust in atmospheric models and refining calculations of its direct radiative effect, which often overlook the variability in mineralogical composition in their dust descriptions.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

03 Sep 2025
Investigating the link between mineral dust hematite content and intensive optical properties by means of lidar measurements and aerosol modeling
Sofía Gómez Maqueo Anaya, Dietrich Althausen, Julian Hofer, Moritz Haarig, Ulla Wandinger, Bernd Heinold, Ina Tegen, Matthias Faust, Holger Baars, Albert Ansmann, Ronny Engelmann, Annett Skupin, Birgit Heese, and Kerstin Schepanski
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 9737–9764, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-9737-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-9737-2025, 2025
Short summary
Sofía Gómez Maqueo Anaya, Dietrich Althausen, Julian Hofer, Moritz Haarig, Ulla Wandinger, Bernd Heinold, Ina Tegen, Matthias Faust, Holger Baars, Albert Ansmann, Ronny Engelmann, Annett Skupin, Birgit Heese, and Kerstin Schepanski

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3159', Ali Omar, 10 Dec 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Sofía Gómez Maqueo Anaya, 16 Feb 2025
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC1', Sofía Gómez Maqueo Anaya, 16 Feb 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3159', Anonymous Referee #1, 11 Dec 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Sofía Gómez Maqueo Anaya, 16 Feb 2025
    • AC4: 'Reply on RC2', Sofía Gómez Maqueo Anaya, 16 Feb 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3159', Ali Omar, 10 Dec 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Sofía Gómez Maqueo Anaya, 16 Feb 2025
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC1', Sofía Gómez Maqueo Anaya, 16 Feb 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3159', Anonymous Referee #1, 11 Dec 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Sofía Gómez Maqueo Anaya, 16 Feb 2025
    • AC4: 'Reply on RC2', Sofía Gómez Maqueo Anaya, 16 Feb 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Sofía Gómez Maqueo Anaya on behalf of the Authors (16 Feb 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (24 Feb 2025) by Stelios Kazadzis
RR by Anonymous Referee #3 (22 Apr 2025)
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (23 Apr 2025) by Stelios Kazadzis
AR by Sofía Gómez Maqueo Anaya on behalf of the Authors (03 Jun 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (23 Jun 2025) by Stelios Kazadzis
AR by Sofía Gómez Maqueo Anaya on behalf of the Authors (24 Jun 2025)  Author's response   Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

03 Sep 2025
Investigating the link between mineral dust hematite content and intensive optical properties by means of lidar measurements and aerosol modeling
Sofía Gómez Maqueo Anaya, Dietrich Althausen, Julian Hofer, Moritz Haarig, Ulla Wandinger, Bernd Heinold, Ina Tegen, Matthias Faust, Holger Baars, Albert Ansmann, Ronny Engelmann, Annett Skupin, Birgit Heese, and Kerstin Schepanski
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 9737–9764, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-9737-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-9737-2025, 2025
Short summary
Sofía Gómez Maqueo Anaya, Dietrich Althausen, Julian Hofer, Moritz Haarig, Ulla Wandinger, Bernd Heinold, Ina Tegen, Matthias Faust, Holger Baars, Albert Ansmann, Ronny Engelmann, Annett Skupin, Birgit Heese, and Kerstin Schepanski
Sofía Gómez Maqueo Anaya, Dietrich Althausen, Julian Hofer, Moritz Haarig, Ulla Wandinger, Bernd Heinold, Ina Tegen, Matthias Faust, Holger Baars, Albert Ansmann, Ronny Engelmann, Annett Skupin, Birgit Heese, and Kerstin Schepanski

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Latest update: 03 Sep 2025
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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
This study investigates how hematite (an iron oxide mineral) in the Saharan Desert dust affects how dust particles interact with radiation. Using lidar data from Cabo Verde (2021–2022) and hematite content from atmospheric model simulations, the results show that higher hematite fraction leads to stronger particle backscattering at specific wavelengths. These findings can improve the representaiton of mineral dust in climate models, particularly regarding their radiative effect.
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