Assessment of Dust Impact on Shortwave Surface Irradiance: A Seven-Year Study at Agia Marina Xyliatou, Cyprus

Aerosols impact surface solar irradiance, both directly, by scattering and absorbing solar irradiance, and indirectly, by acting as cloud condensation nuclei. Dust aerosols, a major component of tropospheric aerosols, play a significant role in climate change by engaging in various physical processes and interactions. The Direct Radiative Effect (DRE) of dust aerosols can significantly influence local atmospheric temperatures - typically cooling the ground - and affects broader climatic conditions. The effect of dust on energy production is substantial, as it can reduce the efficiency of solar panels by scattering incoming solar energy. The degree of this reduction depends on the properties of the airborne dust. Additionally, dust’s impact at the Top of the Atmosphere (TOA), includes altering the Earth's radiation budget by reflecting incoming solar radiation back to space and absorbing certain wavelengths, which can affect global temperature patterns and atmospheric dynamics. Despite the crucial impact of dust on climate systems, the understanding of this parameter remains limited.

This study explores the impact of dust aerosols on surface solar radiation and the shortwave radiation at the Top of the Atmosphere (TOA) at Agia Marina Xyliatou, Cyprus (35.04 N; 33.06 E; 535m above sea level), a region heavily influenced by dust originated from two desert regions: the Sahara and the Arabian Peninsula. The direct radiative effects of dust on solar shortwave radiation at ground level and TOA are evaluated, utilizing measurements from the Agia Marina Xyliatou Station and radiative transfer (RT) modeling with LibRadtran RT package for the years 2015-2022. The findings underscore the significant influence of dust, particularly during the spring and autumn seasons when dust events are most frequent. Seasonal variations in aerosol optical properties and their climatic implications are detailed, highlighting the differences in dust origins and their respective impacts on surface solar radiation levels (mean value of DRE -53.01±27.02 W/m²). This research contributes to a better understanding of the regional climatic effects of aerosols and aids in the management of solar energy resources in dust-prone regions.

 

Acknowledgments: “This research is performed under the auspices of the Memorandum of Understanding between ERASTOTHENES CoE and The Cyprus Institute. The authors acknowledge the ‘EXCELSIOR’: ERATOSTHENES: EΧcellence Research Centre for Earth Surveillance and Space-Based Monitoring of the Environment H2020 Widespread Teaming project (www.excelsior2020.eu).The ‘EXCELSIOR’ project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 857510, from the Government of the Republic of Cyprus through the Directorate General for the European Programmes, Coordination and Development and the Cyprus University of Technology”. This project has also received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 856612 and the Cyprus Government (EMME-CARE).