Characterization of aerosol optical depth (AOD) anomalies in September and October 2022 over Skukuza in South Africa

Abstract

Abstract. Most major field campaigns, such as the Southern Africa Fire Atmosphere Research Initiative (SAFARI-92 and SAFARI-2000) and AErosol, RadiatiOn and CLOuds in southern Africa (AEROCLO-sA), have focused on the west coast of southern Africa, leaving the east coast underexplored. To address this, the Biomass Burning Aerosol Campaign (BiBAC) was initiated by the IRP ARSAIO (International Research Project – Atmospheric Research in Southern Africa and Indian Ocean) during the 2022 biomass burning season to study aerosol optical properties over southern Africa and the southwestern Indian Ocean (SWIO). This study analyzes aerosol properties during the intensive observation period (IOP) of BiBAC at Skukuza in Kruger National Park during two events: 18–23 September (Event 1) and 9–17 October (Event 2). Sun-photometer data, consistent with CALIOP (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization), revealed a predominance of biomass burning aerosols. Transport analyses show southeastward movement of carbon monoxide (CO) and aerosols, reaching up to 6 km during Event 1 and 10 km during Event 2. Synoptic conditions, including frontal systems and baroclinic waves, drove regional and intercontinental pollutant transport, impacting the Mozambique Channel and surrounding areas. A “river of smoke” observed in Event 1 suggests novel synoptic conditions compared to previous studies. This study is the first to highlight two distinct transport mechanisms of aerosol plumes and CO from southern Africa and South America toward the SWIO basin, underscoring the significance of east-coast observations in understanding regional and global atmospheric dynamics.