Effective albedo of an optically thin scattering layer

Abstract

An examination of the sensitivity of the effective albedo of an optically thin scattering layer for day-long solar irradiation at equinox to (1) the anisotropy parameter, which is controlled by the size of the scatterers, (2) the exclusion of the sun-near-horizon irradiation, and (3) the assumption of a spherical vs an irregular shape of the scatterers, is discussed. The albedo is analyzed assuming that for a specified phase function, which is split into a point-symmetrical component and an asymmetrical remainder, the albedo is proportional to the vertical optical thickness. It is shown that if the optical thickness and the phase function are not accurately known, lidar measurements of a thin dust layer can provide useful information for the climatic effect of the scatterers.