Aerosol optical properties and radiative forcing over three AERONET sites in Morocco

A better understanding of the optical, microphysical and radiative properties of aerosols is a critical challenge for climate change studies. In this study, the aerosol optical, microphysical, and radiative properties were investigated over three sites (Oujda, Saada, and Ouarzazate) in Morocco, Northern-Africa. Using ground-based Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET),the annual mean aerosol optical depth at 440 nm (AOD440) was found high at saada (0.21 ± 0.11) followed by Ouarzazate (0.17 ± 0.11), and low at Oujda (0.17 ± 0.09). The maximum values of AE440–870, FMF500 coincide with a peak of activity production of dust from each region. The evolution of single scattering albedo is almost similar for every sites and indicates a very important trend in the diffusion. The averaged aerosol direct radiative forcing (ARF) retrieved from the AERONET showed a strong cooling effect at the bottom of the atmosphere (BOA) and significant warming within the atmosphere (ATM), representing the important role of aerosols played in this sites of Morocco. However, the ARF in Oujda and Ouarzazate seem identical despite the great weather disparity between the two sites.