Validation of LIRIC algorithm for estimating fine mode particles concentration, using airborne chemical composition dataset.
Case study of smoke layer over Athens-Greece (September 2011). Retrievals regarding aerosol optical and chemical properties.
High AOD (0.82 at 340 nm) and Ångström exponent values (~ 1.8) have been observed in the atmospheric column with AERONET.
In the height range of 2-4 km, fine mode particle fraction found to consist of sulphates (57.6%) and organic carbon (31.6%).
Correlation coefficient between airborne in-situ and LIRIC values found to be 0.853 reaching even the 0.968.
An overall good performance of LIRIC has been revealed for fine mode particles, with higher discrepancies observed below 2 km.