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Particle Size Distributions:

Theory and Application to Aerosols, Clouds, and Soils
by Charlie Zender
University of California, Irvine
Department of Earth System Science zender@uci.edu

University of California Voice: (949) 891-2429
Irvine, CA 92697-3100 Fax: (949) 824-3256
Copyright c 19982013, Charles S. Zender

Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU
Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or any later version published by the Free Software
Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. The
license is available online at http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html.
Contents
Contents i
List of Tables 1
1 Introduction 1
1.1 Modal vs. Sectional Represenatation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.2 Nomenclature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.3 Distribution Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.4 Probability Density Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.4.1 Independent Variable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 Statistics of Size Distributions 4

2.1 Generic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.2 Mean Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.3 Variance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.4 Standard Deviation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3 Cloud and Aerosol Size Distributions 5

3.1 Gamma Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3.2 Normal Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3.3 Lognormal Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.3.1 Distribution Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.3.2 Lognormal Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.3.3 Related Forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.3.4 Variance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.3.5 Non-standard terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.3.6 Bounded Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.3.7 Statistics of Bounded Distributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3.3.8 Overlapping Distributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.3.9 Median Diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3.3.10 Mode Diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3.3.11 Multimodal Distributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
3.4 Higher Moments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.4.1 Aspherical Particles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.4.2 Normalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
4 Implementation in NCAR models 24

4.1 NCAR-Dust Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4.2 Mie Scattering Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.2.1 Input switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.2.2 Moments of Size Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.2.3 Generating Properties for Multi-Bin Distributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5 Appendix 27
5.1 Properties of Gaussians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5.2 Error Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5.3 Command Line Switches for mie Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Bibliography 58
Index 61
List of Tables
1 Lognormal Distribution Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2 Measured Lognormal Dust Size Distributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3 Analytic Lognormal Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4 Source Size Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
5 Command Line Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
6 SWNB Output Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
7 CLM Output Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
1 Introduction
This document describes mathematical and computational considerations pertaining to size distri-
butions. The application of statistical theory to define meaningful and measurable parameters for
2 1 INTRODUCTION
defining generic size distributions is presented in 2. The remaining sections apply these defini-
tions to the size distributions most commonly used to describe clouds and aerosol size distributions
in the meteorological literature. Currently, only the lognormal distribution is presented.
1.1 Modal vs. Sectional Represenatation

mdlsxn Lu and Bowman (2004) designed and optimal non-linear least squares-based procedure for
converting from sectional to modal representations.
1.2 Nomenclature
nomenclature There is a bewildering variety of nomenclature associated with size distributions,
probability density functions, and statistics thereof. The nomenclature in this article generally fol-
lows the standard references, (see, e.g., Hansen and Travis, 1974; Patterson and Gillette, 1977;
Press et al., 1988; Flatau et al., 1989; Seinfeld and Pandis, 1997), at least where those references
are in agreement. Quantities whose nomenclature is often confusing, unclear, or simply not stan-
dardized are discussed in the text.
1.3 Distribution Function

This section follows the carefully presented discussion of Flatau et al. (1989). The size distribution
function nn (r) is defined such that nn (r) dr is the total concentration (number per unit volume of
air, or # m3 ) of particles with sizes in the domain [r, r + dr]. The total number concentration of
particles N0 is obtained by integrating nn (r) over all sizes
Z
N0 = nn (r) dr (1)
0
The size distribution function is also called the spectral density function. The dimensions of nn (r)
and N0 are # m3 m1 and # m3 , respectively. Note that nn (r) is only normalized if N0 = 1.0 (cf.
Section 3.4.2).
Often N0 is not an observable quantity. A variety of functional forms, some of which are over-
loaded for clarity, describe the number concentrations actually measured by instruments. Typically
an instrument has a lower detection limit rmin and an upper detection limit rmax of particle sizes
which it can measure.
Z rmax
N (r < rmax ) = nn (r) dr (2)
0
Z
N (r > rmax ) = nn (r) dr (3)
rmax
Z rmax
N (rmin , rmax ) = N (rmin < r < rmax ) = nn (r) dr (4)
rmin
Equations (2)(4) define the cumulative concentration, lower bound concentration, and truncated
concentration, respectively. The cumulative concentration is used to define the median radius rn .
1.4 Probability Density Function 3
Half the particles are larger and half smaller than rn
N0
N (r < rn ) = N (r > rn ) = (5)
2
These functions are often used to define nn (r) via
dN
nn (r) = (6)
dr
Note that the concentration nomenclature in (6) is N not N (r). Using N (r) would indicate that
the concentration has not been completely integrated over all sizes. By definition, the total concen-
tration N0 is integrated over all sizes, as defined by (1). A concentration denoted N (r) makes no
sense without an associated size bin width r, or truncation convention, as in (2)(4). We try to
use N and N0 for normalized (N = 1) and non-normalized (N0 6= 1, i.e., absolute concentrations).
However this convention is not absolute and (1) defines both N and N0 .
1.4 Probability Density Function

Describing size distributions is easier when they are normalized into probability density functions,
or PDFs. In this context, a PDF is a size distribution function normalized to unity over the domain
of interest, i.e., p(r) = Cn nn (r) where the normalization constant Cn is defined such that
Z
p(r) dr = 1 (7)
0
In the following sections we usually work with PDFs because this normalization property is very
convenient mathematically. Comparing (7) and (1), it is clear that the normalization constant Cn
which transforms a size distribution function (1) into a PDF p(r) is N01
1
p(r) = nn (r) (8)
N0
1.4.1 Choice of Independent Variable

The merits of using radius r, diameter D, or some other dimension L, as the independent variable
of a size distribution depend on the application. In radiative transfer applications, r prevails in the
literature probably because it is favored in electromagnetic and Mie theory. There is, however,
a growing recognition of the importance of aspherical particles in planetary atmospheres. Defin-
ing an equivalent radius or equivalent diameter for these complex shapes is not straighforward
(consider, e.g., a bullet rosette ice crystal). Important differences exist among the competing defi-
nitions, such as equivalent area spherical radius, equivalent volume spherical radius, (e.g., Ebert
and Curry, 1992; McFarquhar and Heymsfield, 1997).
A direct property of aspherical particles which can often be measured is its maximum dimen-
sion, i.e., the greatest distance between any two surface points of the particle. This maximum
dimension, usually called L, has proven to be useful for characterizing size distributions of as-
pherical particles. For a sphere, L is also the diameter. Analyses of mineral dust sediments in ice
core deposits or sediment traps, for example, are usually presented in terms of L. The surface area
4 2 STATISTICS OF SIZE DISTRIBUTIONS
and volume of ice crystals have been computed in terms of power laws of L (e.g., Heymsfield and
Platt, 1984; Takano and Liou, 1995). Since models usually lack information regarding the shape of
particles (early exceptions include Zender and Kiehl, 1994; Chen and Lamb, 1994), most modelers
assume spherical particles, especially for aerosols. Thus, the advantages of using the diameter D
as the independent variable in size distribution studies include: D is the dimension often reported
in measurements; D is more analogous than r to L.
The remainder of this manuscript assumes spherical particles where r and D are equally useful
independent variables. Unless explicitly noted, our convention will be to use D as the independent
variable. Thus, it is useful to understand the rules governing conversion of PDFs from D to r and
the reverse.
Consider two distinct analytic representations of the same underlying size distribution. The
first, nD r
n (D), expresses the differential number concentration per unit diameter. The second, nn (r),
expresses the differential number concentration per unit radius. Both nD r
n (D) and nn (r) share the
3 1
same dimensions, # m m .
D = 2r (9)
dD = 2 dr (10)
nn (D) dD = nrn (r) dr
D
(11)
1 r
nD
n (D) = n (r) (12)
2 n
2 Statistics of Size Distributions

2.1 Generic
Consider an arbitrary function g(x) which applies over the domain of the size distribution p(x).
For now the exact definition of g is irrelevant, but imagine that g(x) describes the variation of some
physically meaningful quantity (e.g., area) with size. The mean value of g is the integral of g over
the domain of the size distribution, weighted at each point by the concentration of particles
Z
g= g(x) p(x) dx (13)
0
Once p(x) is known, it is always possible to compute g for any desired quantity g. Typical quan-
tities represented by g(x) are size, g(x) = x; area, g(x) = A(x) x2 ; and volume g(x) =
V (x) x3 . More complicated statistics represented by g(x) include variance, g(x) = (x x)2 .
The remainder of this section considers some of these examples in more detail.
2.2 Mean Size

The number mean size x of a size distribution p(x) is defined as
Z
x = p(x) x dx (14)
0
Synonyms for number mean size include mean size, average size, arithmetic mean size, and
n D,
number-weighted mean size (Hansen and Travis, 1974). Flatau et al. (1989) define D
a convention we adopt in the following.
2.3 Variance 5
2.3 Variance
The variance x2 of a size distribution p(x) is defined in accord with the statistical variance of a
continuous mathematical distribution.
Z
2
x = p(x)(x x)2 dx (15)
0
The variance measures the mean squared-deviation of the distribution from its mean value. The
units of x2 are [m2 ]. Because x2 is a complicated function for standard aerosol and cloud size
distributions, many prefer to work with an alternate definition of variance, called the effective
variance.
2
The effective variance x,eff of a size distribution p(x) is the variance about the effective size
of the distribution, normalized by xeff (e.g., Hansen and Travis, 1974)
Z
2 1
x,eff = 2 p(x)(x xeff )2 x2 dx (16)
xeff 0
Because of the x2 2
eff normalization, x,eff is non-dimensional in contrast to typical variances, e.g.,
2
(15). In the terminology of Hansen and Travis (1974), x,eff = v.
2.4 Standard Deviation

The standard deviation x of a size distribution p(x) is the square root of the variance (15),
p
x = x2 (17)
x has units of [m]. For standard aerosol and cloud size distributions, x is an ugly expression.
Therefore many authors prefer to work with alternate definitions of standard deviation. Unfortu-
nately, nomenclature for these alternate definitions is not standardized.
3 Cloud and Aerosol Size Distributions

3.1 Gamma Distribution
Statistics of the gamma distribution are presented in http://asd-www.larc.nasa.gov/
yhu/paper/thesisall/node8.html. Currently, the aerosol property program mie im-
plements gamma distributions in a limited sense.
3.2 Normal Distribution

The normal distribution is the most common statistical distribution. The normal distribution n(x)
is expressed in terms of its mean x (14) and standard deviation x (17)
" 2 #
1 1 x x
n(x) = exp (18)
2 x 2 x
6 3 CLOUD AND AEROSOL SIZE DISTRIBUTIONS
With our standard nomenclature for number distribution nn and particles diameter D, (18) appears
as " #
dN 1

1 DD n 2
nn (D) = exp (19)
dD 2 D 2 D
The cumulative normal distribution is called the error function and is discussed in Section (5.1).
Integration of the error function shows that 68.3% of the values of (19) are in D n D , 95.4% are

in Dn 2D , and 99.7% are in Dn 3D .
3.3 Lognormal Distribution
The lognormal distribution is perhaps the most commonly used analytic expression in aerosol
studies.
3.3.1 Distribution Function
In a lognormal distribution, the logarithm of abscissa is normally distributed (Section 3.2). Substi-
tuting x = ln D into (18) yields
!2
dN 1 1 n
ln D ln D
nn (ln D) = exp (20)
d ln D 2 ln g 2 ln g
where g and D n are parameters whose physical significance is to be defined. In particular, there is
no closed-form algebraic relationship between D (19) and g (20). The former is a true standard
deviation and the properties of the latter are as yet unknown.
Substituting d ln D = D1 dD in (20) leads to the most commonly used form the lognormal
distribution function
!2
dN 1 1 ln(D/D n)
nn (D) = exp (21)
dD 2 D ln g 2 ln g
One of the most confusing aspects of size distributions in the meteorological literature is in the
usage of g , the geometric standard deviation. Some researchers (e.g., Flatau et al., 1989) prefer
a different formulation (21) which is equivalent to
!2
1 1 ln(D/D n)
nn (D) = exp (22)
2 g D 2 g
where
g ln g (23)
In practice, (21) is used more widely than (22) and we adopt (21) in the following.
3.3 Lognormal Distribution 7
The definition of g in (22) may be more satisfactory from a mathematical point of view (Flatau
et al., 1989), and it subsumes an ln which reduces typing. This is seen by transforming x in (18)
with

1 D
x = ln
g Dn
D = D n exp(g x)
dD = g D n exp(g x) dx
dx = (g D n )1 dD
This maps x (, +) into D [0, ).

One is occasionally given a standard deviation or geometric standard deviation parameter
without clear specification whether it represents g (or ln g , or exp g , or x ) in (17), (21), or (22).
As a true standard deviation, x has dimensions of x, whereas both g and g are dimensionless
so units cannot disambiguate them. A useful rule of thumb is that g in (21) and eg in (22)
are usually between 1.52.5 for realistic aerosol populations. Since we adopted (21), physically
realistic values are g (1.5, 2.5).
Seinfeld and Pandis (1997) p. 423 describe the physical meaning of the geometric standard
deviation g . Define the special particle sizes
n g
D+g D (24a)
D D n /g (24b)
g
The cumulative concentration smaller than D+g , simplifies from (38) to

+ N0 N0 1
N (D < Dg ) = + erf = 0.841344746069N0 (25)
2 2 2
Numerical integration must be used to obtain the final result, 0.841N0 , as erf() has no closed-form
solution here. Using (25) to invert (24), we may define g as the ratio of the diameter D+g (larger
n . Monodisperse populations have g 1.
than 84.1% of all particles) to the median diameter D
Similarly the cumulative concentration smaller than Dg , simplifies from (38) to

N0 N0 1
N (D < Dg ) = + erf = 0.158655253931N0 (26)
2 2 2
where we have used the numerical result in (26) with the error functions anti-symmetric property,
erf(x) = erf(x). Subtracting (26) from (25) shows that 68.3% of all particles in a lognormal
distribution lie in D [Dg , D+g ].
By raising g to any power x in (24), it is straightforward to verify that the number of particles
within D [D n gx , D
n gx ] is

N (D n gx ) = N0 erf(x/ 2)
n gx < D < D (27)
n /g < D <
Application of (27) for small integer x shows that 68.3% of all particles lie within D
1 2 2
Dn g , that 95.4% of all particles lie within Dn g < D < Dn g , and that 99.7% of all particles
1
Seinfeld and Pandis (1997) p. 423 has a typo on this point. That page erroneously states that the bounds bracketing
n /(2g ) < D < 2D
95% of a lognormal distribution are D n g .
n 3 < D < D
lie within D n 3 . These bounds are identical to the fraction of particles enclosed
g g
within one, two, and three standard deviations of the mean of a normal distribution (Section 3.2).
3.3.2 Lognormal Relations

Table 1 summarizes the standard lognormal distribution parameters. Note that g ln g . The
statistics in Table 1 are easy to misunderstand because of the plethora of subtly different definitions.
A common mistake is to assume that patterns which seems to apply to one distribution, e.g., the
number distribution nn (D), apply to distributions of all other moments. For example, the number
distribution nn (D) is the only distribution for which the moment mean size (i.e., number mean
size D n ) equals the moment-weighted size (i.e., number-weighted size Dn ). Also, the number
mean size D n differs from the number median size D n by a factor exp(g2 /2). But this factor
is not constant and depends on the moment of the distribution. For instance, D s differs from D
s
2
by exp(g ), while D s differs from D
s by exp(3g /2). Thus converting from mean diameter to
2
median diameter is not the same for number as for mass distributions.
Table 1: Lognormal Distribution Relations234
3.3
Symbol Value Units Description Defining Relation

Z
3
N0 N0 #m Total number concentration N0 = nn (D) dD
Z 0
D0 N0 D
n exp(g2 ) m m3 Total diameter D0 = Dnn (D) dD
Z 0
2 2
A0 ND exp(g2 /2) m2 m3 Total cross-sectional area A0 = D nn (D) dD
Lognormal Distribution
4 0 n
Z0 4
S0 2 exp(2g2 )
N0 D n m2 m3 Total surface area S0 = D2 nn (D) dD
Z 0
3 3 3 3
V0 ND
6 0 n
exp(9g2 /2) m m Total volume V0 = D nn (D) dD
0 6
Z
3
M0 N D
6 0
n3 exp(9g2 /2) kg m3 Total mass M0 = D nn (D) dD
0 6
D D
n exp(g2 /2) m #1 Mean diameter N0 D = N0 D n = D0
2 2 1
A 4
Dn exp(2g2 ) m # Mean cross-sectional area s2 = A0
N0 A = N0 4 D
S D n2 exp(2g2 ) m2 #1 Mean surface area N0 S = N0 D s2 = S0
3 3 1
V D exp(9g2 /2)
6 n
m # Mean volume N0 V = N0 6 D 3 = V0
v
M 3
Dn exp(9g2 /2) kg #1 Mean mass 3
6
N0 M = N0 6 Dv = M0
Z
6
N0
M0 D
n3 exp(9g2 /2) # m3 Number concentration N0 = nn (D) dD
0
1/3 Z D n
6M0 N0
D
n
N0
exp(3g2 /2) m Median diameter nn (D) dD =
Z0 2
6M0 1 2
Deff S0
m Effective diameter Deff = D D nn (D) dD
A0 0 4
6
S Deff
m2 kg1 Specific surface area S = S0 /M0
9
10
Table 1: (continued)
Symbol Value Units Description Defining Relation
Z D
n
N0
D
n D
n exp(g2 /2) m Median diameter, Scaling nn (D) dD =
0 2
diameter, Number median
diameter. Half of particles are
larger than, and half smaller than,
Dn
Z
D
n , D, D
n exp(g2 /2) m Mean diameter, Average diameter, D
n = 1 Dnn (D) dD
N0 0
Dn Number-weighted mean diameter
D
s D
n exp(g2 ) m Surface mean diameter N0 D
2 = N0 S = S0
s
3
3
D
v D
n exp(3g2 /2) m Volume mean diameter, Mass N0 Dv = N0 V = V0
6
mean diameter
Z D
s
S0
D
s D
n exp(2g2 ) m Surface median diameter D2 nn (D) dD =
0 Z 2
1 2
Ds , D
n exp(5g2 /2) m Area-weighted mean diameter, Ds = D D nn (D) dD
A0 0 4
Deff effective diameter
Z D v
3 V0
D
v D
n exp(3g2 ) m Volume median diameter D nn (D) dD =
0 6 2
Mass median diameter Z
1
Dv D
n exp(7g2 /2) m Mass-weighted mean diameter, Dv = D D3 nn (D) dD
V0 0 6
Volume-weighted mean diameter
CLOUD AND AEROSOL SIZE DISTRIBUTIONS
For brevity Table 1 presents the lognormal relations in terms of diamter D. Change the relations
to befunctions of radius r is straightforward. For example, direct substitution of D = 2r into (21)
yields
" 2 #
1 1 ln(2r/2 rn )
nn (D) = exp
2 2r ln g 2 ln g
" 2 #
1 1 1 ln(r/ rn )
= exp
2 2 r ln g 2 ln g
1 r
= n (r) (28)
2 n
in agreement with (12).
Table 2 lists applies the relations in Table 1 to specific size distributions typical of tropospheric
aerosols.
Table 2: Measured Lognormal Dust Size Distributions5
Dn Dv g M Ref.
m m
Patterson and Gillette (1977) 6

0.08169 0.27 1.88 ??
0.8674 5.6 2.2 ??
28.65 57.6 1.62 ??
7
Shettle (1984)
0.003291 0.0111 1.89 2.6 104 ??
0.5972 2.524 2.08 0.781 ??, ??
7.575 42.1 2.13 0.219 ??
Balkanski et al. (1996)9
0.1600 0.832 2.1 0.036 ??
1.401 4.82 1.90 0.957 ??
9.989 19.38 1.60 0.007 ??
6
Detailed fits to dust sampled over Colorado and Texas in Patterson and Gillette (1977), p. 2080 Table 1. Original
values have been converted from radius to diameter. M was not given. Patterson and Gillette (1977) showed soil
aerosol could be represented with three modes which they dubbed, in order of increasing size, modes C, A, and B.
Mode A is the mineral dust transport mode, seen in source regions and downwind. Mode B is seen in the source soil
itself, and in the atmosphere during dust events. Mode C is seen most everywhere, but does not usually correlate with
local dust amount. Mode C is usually a global, aged, background, anthropogenic aerosol, typically rich in sulfate
and black carbon. Sometimes, however, Mode C has a mineral dust component. Modes C and B are averages from
Patterson and Gillette (1977) Table 1 p. 2080. Mode B is based on the summary recommendation that rs = 1.5 and
g = 2.2.
7
Background Desert Model from Shettle (1984), p. 75 Table 1.
9
Balkanski et al. (1996), p. 73 Table 2. These are the background modes of DAlmeida (1987).
Dn Dv g M Ref.
m m
Alfaro et al. (1998) 10

0.6445 1.5 1.7 (0.22, 0.15) ??
3.454 6.7 1.6 (0.69, 0.76) ??
8.671 14.2 1.5 (0.09, 0.09) ??
Dubovik et al. (2002a), Bahrain (19982000) 1112
0.1768 0.30 0.08 0.42 0.04 ??
1.664 5.08 0.08 0.61 0.02 ??
Dubovik et al. (2002a), Solar Village Saudi Arabia (19982000) 13
0.1485 0.24 0.10 0.40 0.05 ??
1.576 4.64 0.06 0.60 0.03 ??
14
Dubovik et al. (2002a), Cape Verde (19932000)
0.1134 0.24 0.06 0.49 + 0.10 0.04 ??
1.199 3.80 0.06 0.63 0.10 0.03 ??
15
Maring et al. (2003)
3.6 0.3 none ??
4.1 none ??
16
Arimoto et al. (2006)
0.0 1.1 0.0 ??
0.0 5.5 0.0 ??
0.0 14 0.0 ??
Mokhtari et al. (2012) 17
0.0 0.2 1.75 0.0008 ??
0.0 1.67 1.76 0.0092 ??
0.0 11.6 1.70 0.99 ??
10
Mass fractions are reported as (a,b) for measurements and model, respectively, of Spanish soil sample at u =
66 cm s1
11
All Dubovik et al. (2002a) measurements follow certain conventions. Standard deviation of measurements follows
sign. Reported g is not the geometric standard deviation. Their g is defined as the standard deviation of the
logarithm of the size distribution (Dubovik et al., 2002a, p. 606, Equation A2).
12
Bahrain is an island in the Red Sea.
13
The Solar Village AERONET station is located in empty land a few kilometers west of Riyadhs international
airport.
14
Values of D n were computed using g based on = 0.1.
15
Measurements during PRIDE, July 2000, from Izana and Puerto Rico. Only D v reported as measurements did
not fit lognormal distributions.
16
Original manuscript does not contain g .
17
AMMA size distribution used in DEAD coupled with SURFEX.
Table 3: Analytic Lognormal Size Distribution Statistics ab

Dn n , Dn
D Ds Dv Ds Ds Dv Dv g
rn rn , rn rs rv rs rs rv rv
m m m m m m m m
0.1 0.1272 0.1619 0.2056 0.2614 0.3323 0.4227 0.5373 2.0
0.1861 0.2366 0.3009 0.3825 0.4864 0.6185 0.7864 1.0 2.0
0.2366 0.3008 0.3825 0.4864 0.6185 0.7864 1.0 1.272 2.0
0.3009 0.3825 0.4864 0.6185 0.7864 1.0 1.272 1.617 2.0
0.3825 0.4864 0.6185 0.7864 1.0 1.272 1.617 2.056 2.0
0.4864 0.6185 0.7864 1.0 1.272 1.617 2.056 2.614 2.0
0.5915 0.7521 0.9563 1.216 1.546 1.966 2.5 3.179 2.0
0.6185 0.7864 1.0 1.272 1.617 2.056 2.614 3.324 2.0
0.7864 1.0 1.272 1.617 2.056 2.614 3.324 4.225 2.0
0.8281 1.053 1.339 1.702 2.165 2.753 3.5 4.450 2.0
1.0 1.272 1.617 2.056 2.614 3.324 4.227 5.373 2.0
1.183 1.504 1.913 2.432 3.092 3.932 5.0 6.356 2.0
2.366 3.008 3.825 4.864 6.184 7.864 10.0 12.72 2.0
a v = 0.1, 2.5, 3.5, 5.0, 10.0 m.

Shown are statistics for each moment equalling 1 m, and for D
b
Dn , Ds , and Dv are number, surface, and volume-mean diameters, respectively. D n, D s , and D
v are number,
surface, and volume median diameters, respectively. Dn , Ds , and Dv are number, surface, and volume-weighted
diameters, respectively.
Perry et al. (1997) and Perry and Cahill (1999) describe measurements and transport of dust
across the Atlantic and Pacific, respectively. Reid et al. (2003) summarize historical measurements
of dust size distributions, and analyze the influence of measurement technique on the derived size
distribution. They show the derived size distribution is strongly sensitive to the measurment tech-
nique. During PRIDE, measured D v varied from 2.59 m depending on the instrument employed.
Maring et al. (2003) show that the change in mineral dust size distribution across the sub-tropical
Atlantic is consistent with a slight updraft of 0.33 cm s1 during transport. Ginoux (2003) and
Colarco et al. (2003) show that the effects of asphericity on particle settling velocity play an im-
portant role in maintaining the large particle tail of the size distribution during long range transport.
Table 3 applies the relations in Table 1 to specific size distributions typical of tropospheric
aerosols. Values in Table 3 are valid for radius and diameter distributions. Table 1 shows that
all moments of the size distribution depend linearly on D n (or rn ). Therefore all rows in Table 3
scale linearly (for a constant geometric standard deviation). For example, values in the row with
D n = 1.0 m are ten times the corresponding values for the row D n = 0.1 m. Hence it suffices
for Table 3 to show a decade range in D n.
3.3.3 Related Forms
Many important applications make available size distribution information in a form similar to, but
hard to recognize as, the analytic lognormal PDF (21). The Aerosol Robotic Network, AERONET,
for example, retrieves size distributions from solar almucantar radiances18 (Dubovik and King,
2000; Dubovik et al., 2000, 2002b). AERONET labels the retrieved size distribution dV (r)/d ln r
and reports the values in [m3 m2 ] units. The correspondence between the AERONET retrievals
and dN/d ln r (21) in [# m3 m1 ] units is not exactly clear. Unfortunately, Table 1 does not help
much here. Let us now show how to bridge the gap between theory and measurement.
First, total distributions contain N0 particles per unit volume and thus N0 applies as a multi-
plicative factor to (21)
!2
N0 1 ln(D/D n)
nn (D) = exp (29)
2 D ln g 2 ln g
Note that (29) is only normalized if N0 = 1.0 (cf. Section 3.4.2).

Applying (6) to (29) yields
!2
dN N0 1 ln(D/D n)
= exp (30)
dD 2 D ln g 2 ln g
Multiplying each side of (30) by D and substituting d ln D = D1 dD leads to

!2
dN N0 1 ln(D/D n)
= exp (31)
The derivative in (31) is with respect to the logarithm of the diameter. The change in the inde-
pendent variable of differentiation defines a new distribution which could be written nn (ln D) to
distinguish it from the normal linear distribution nn (D) (6). However, the nomenclature nn (ln D)
could be misinterpreted. We follow Seinfeld and Pandis (1997) and denote logarithmically-defined
distributions with a superscript e on the distribution that re-inforces the use of ln D as the indepen-
dent variable
dN
nen (ln D) nn (ln D) (32)
d ln D
The SI units of nn (D) (6) and nen (ln D) (32) are [# m3 m1 ] and [# m3 ], respectively.
Remote sensing applications often retrieve columnar distributions rather than volumetric dis-
tributions. The columnar number distribution ncn (D), for example, is simply the vertical integral
18
The almucantar radiances are radiance measurements in a circle of equal scattering angle centered in a plane
about the Sun, i.e., radiance measurements at known forward scattering phase function angles.
of the particle number distribution nn (D),
Z z=
c dN0c
nn (D) = nn (D, z) dz = same (33a)
dD z=0
Z z= Z z=
c dAc0 2
nx (D) = nx (D, z) dz = D nn (D, z) dz (33b)
dD z=0 z=0 4
Z z= Z z=
c dS0c
ns (D) = ns (D, z) dz = D2 nn (D, z) dz (33c)
dD z=0
z= Zz=0
z=
dV0c
Z
c 3
nv (D) = nv (D, z) dz = D nn (D, z) dz (33d)
dD z=0 6
z= Zz=0
z=
dM0c
Z
3
ncm (D) = nm (D, z) dz = D nn (D, z) dz (33e)
dD z=0 z=0 6
SI units of the columnar distributions ncx for x = n, x, s, v, m (33) are one less per meter than the
corresponding volumetric distributions, e.g., nv and ncv are in [m3 m3 m1 ] and [m3 m2 m1 ],
respectively. This is because of integration over the vertical coordinate.
Combining (33) with (31) leads to
!2
dN0 c
N c
1 ln(D/Dn )
ne,c
n (ln D) = 0 exp (34a)
!2

c
r c 2
dA0 N0 D 1 ln(D/Dn )
ne,c
x (ln D) = exp (34b)
d ln D 2 4 ln g 2 ln g
!2

c
r c 2
dS0 N0 D 1 ln(D/Dn )
ne,c
s (ln D) = exp (34c)
!2
n)
c
r c 3
dV0 N0 D 1 ln(D/D
ne,c
v (ln D) = exp (34d)
!2

c
r c 3
dM0 N0 D 1 ln(D/Dn )
ne,c
m (ln D) = exp (34e)
These logarithmic columnar (vertically integrated) distributions (34) are one less per meter than
3 2 1
the corresponding linear columnar distributions (33), e.g., ncv and ne,c
v are in [m m m ] and
3 2
[m m ], respectively. In order for the area under the curve to be proportional to the integrated
distributions, logarithmic distributions should be plotted on semi-log axes, e.g., horizontal axis
with logarithmic size D and vertical axis with linearly spaced values of nev (ln D) (Seinfeld and
Pandis, 1997, p. 415).
Measurements (or retrievals such as AERONET) are usually reported in historical units that
can be counted rather than in pure SI. SI units for nv (D) = dV (D)/dD are [m3 m3 m1 ], i.e.,
particle volume per unit air volume per unit particle diameter. These units condense to [m3 m2 ],
or, multiplying by 106 , [m3 m2 ]. These condensed units may be confused with particle volume
per unit particle surface area (V (D)/S(D)), or with columnar particle volume per unit horizontal
R
surface (e.g., ground or ocean) area ( V (z) dz).
R AERONET most definitely does not report any of
e,c
these three quantities dV /dr, V (D)/S(D), or V (z) dz. AERONET reports nv (ln D) the verti-
cally integrated logarithmic volume distribution (34d), the logarithmic derivative of the columnar
volume V0c .
3.3.4 Variance
2
According to (15), the variance D of the lognormal distribution (21) is
!2
1
Z
1
1 ln(D/Dn )
2
D = exp 2 dD
(D D) (35)
2 ln g 0 D 2 ln g
3.3.5 Non-standard terminology

Non-standard terminology leads to much confusion in the literature. For example, Dubovik et al.
(2002a) provide precise analytic definitions of their supposedly lognormal size distribution param-
eters. However, their terminology is inconsistent with their definitions. Distributions computed
according to their definitions are not lognormal distributions. Dubovik et al. (2002a) Equation A1
(their p. 606) defines the mean logarithmic radius rv of the volume distribution which they confus-
ingly name the volume median radius rv . Dubovik et al. (2002a) Equation A2 (their p. 606) defines
the standard deviation of the logarithm of the volume distribution. This differs from the geometric
standard deviation g of a lognormal distribution. The correct parameters of a lognormal distribu-
tion (21) are rn and g (or g ln g ) For a lognormal volume path distribution
p ne,c
v (ln D) (34d)
2
the appropriate parameters are rv and g (or g ln g ), not rv and r (35). Dubovik et al.
(2002a) Equation 1 (their p. 593) is the correct form for ne,c
v (ln D) (34d).
3.3.6 Bounded Distribution

The statistical properties of a bounded lognormal distribution are expressed in terms of the error
function (5.2). The cumulative concentration bounded by Dmax is given by applying (2) to (21)
!2
N0
Z Dmax
1 1 ln(D/ n)
D
N (D < Dmax ) = exp dD (36)
2 ln g 0 D 2 ln g

n )/ 2 ln g
We make the change of variable z = (ln D ln D

z = (ln D ln D n )/ 2 ln g

D = D n e 2 z ln g

= D n g 2 z

dz = ( 2 D ln g )1 dD

dD = 2 ln g D n e 2 z ln g dz

= 2 ln g D n 2 z dz (37)
g

n )/ 2 ln g ). In terms of z we obtain
which maps D (0, Dmax ) into z (, ln Dmax ln D
Z (ln Dmax ln D n )/2 ln g
2
N0 1
N (D < Dmax ) = ez 2 ln g D n e 2 z ln g dz
2 ln g n e 2 z ln g
D

N0 (ln Dmax ln Dn )/ 2 ln g z2
Z
= e dz

Z 0 Z (ln Dmax ln D n )/2 ln g !
N0 2 2
= ez dz + ez dz
0
Z + Z (ln Dmax ln D n )/2 ln g !
N0 2 2 2 2
= ez dz + ez dz
2 0 0
" !#
N0 ln(Dmax /D n)
= erf() + erf
2 2 ln g
!
N0 N0 ln(Dmax /D n)
= + erf (38)
2 2 2 ln g
where we have used the properties of the error function (5.2). The same procedure can be per-
formed to compute the cumulative concentration of particles smaller than Dmin . When N (D <
Dmin ) is subtracted from (38) we obtain the truncated concentration (4)
" ! !#
N0
ln(Dmax /Dn )
ln(Dmin /Dn )
N (Dmin , Dmax ) = erf erf (39)
2 2 ln g 2 ln g
We are also interested in the bounded distributions of higher moments, e.g., the mass of par-
ticles lying between Dmin and Dmax . The cross-sectional area, surface area, volume, and mass
distributions of spherical particles are related to their number distribution by
2
nx (D) = D nn (D) (40a)
4
ns (D) = D2 nn (D) (40b)

nv (D) = D3 nn (D) (40c)
6
3
nm (D) = D nn (D) (40d)
6
n = D
so that we may simply substitute D v , for example, in (39) and we obtain
" ! !#
N0 ln(Dmax /D v) ln(Dmin /D v)
V (Dmin , Dmax ) = erf erf (41)
2 2 ln g 2 ln g
3.3.7 Statistics of Bounded Distributions

All of the relations given in Table 1 may be re-expressed in terms of truncated lognormal distribu-
tions, but doing so is tedious, and requires new terminology. Instead we derive the expression for a
typical size distribution statistic, and allow the reader to generalize. We generalize (13) to consider
Z Dmax

g = D p (D) dD (42)
Dmin
Note the domain of integration, D (Dmin , Dmax ), reflects the fact that we are considering a
bounded distribution. The superscript indicates that the average statistic refers to a truncated
distribution and reminds us that g 6= g. Defining a closed form expression for p (D) requires
some consideration. This truncated distribution has N0 defined by (39), and is completely specified
on D (0, ) by

0 , 0 < D < Dmin
p (D) = N (Dmin , Dmax ) p(D)/N0 , Dmin D Dmax (43)
0 , Dmax < D <

n , g , and N0 are defined

The difficulty is that the three parameters of the lognormal distribution, D
in terms of an untruncated distribution. Using (39) we can write
1
p (D) = nn (D)N0 = N (Dmin , Dmax ) (44)
N0
If we think of p order to be properly normalized to unity, note that (fxm) Thus when we speak
of truncated distributions it is important to keep in mind that the parameters D n , g , and N0 refer
to the untruncated distribution.
The properties of the truncated distribution will be expressed in terms of D , , and N ,
n g 0
respectively.
Consider the mean size, D. In terms of (13) we have g(D) = D so that
Z Dmax
D= D p(D) dx (45)
Dmin
3.3.8 Overlapping Distributions

Consider the problem of distributing I independent and possibly overlapping distributions of par-
ticles into J independent and possibly overlapping distributions of particles. To reify the problem
we call the I bins the source bins (these bins represent the parent size distributions in mineral dust
source areas) and the J bins as sink bins (which represent sizes transported in the atmosphere).
Typically we know the total mass M0 or number N0 of source particles to distribute into the sink
bins and we know the fraction of the total mass to distribute which resides in each source distribu-
tion, Mi . The problem is to determine matrices of overlap factors Ni,j and Mi,j which determine
what number and mass fraction, respectively, of each source bin i is blown into each sink bin j.
The mass and number fractions contained by the source distributions are normalized such that
I
X I
X
Mi = Ni = 1 (46)
i=1 i=1
In the case of dust emissions, Mi and Ni may vary with spatial location.
The overlap factors Ni,j and Mi,j are defined by the relations
I
X
Nj = Ni,j Ni
i=1
I
X
= N0 Ni,j Ni (47)
i=1
I
X
Mj = Mi,j Mi
i=1
I
X
= M0 Mi,j Mi (48)
i=1
Using (39) and (46) we find

" ! !#
1
ln(Dmax,j /Dn,i )
ln(Dmin,j /Dn,i )
Ni,j = erf erf (49)
2 2 ln g,i 2 ln g,i
" ! !#
1
ln(Dmax,j /Dv,i )
ln(Dmin,j /Dv,i )
Mi,j = erf erf (50)
2 2 ln g,i 2 ln g,i
fxm: The mathematical derivation appears correct but the overlap factor appears to asymptote to
0.5 rather than to 1.0 for Dmax D n Dmin .
A mass distribution has the same form as a lognormal number distribution but has a different
median diameter. Thus the overlap matrix elements apply equally to mass and number distributions
depending on the median diameter used in the following formulae. For the case where both source
and sink distributions are complete lognormal distributions,
i=I
X
M (D) = Mi (D)
i=1
3.3.9 Median Diameter

n into (38) we obtain
Substituting D = D
n ) = N0
N (D < D (51)
2
n is the median diameter (5). The lognormal distribution is the only distribution
This proves that D
known (to us) which is most naturally expressed in terms of its median diameter.
3.3.10 Mode Diameter

The mode is the most frequently occuring value of a distribution. The mode diameter or modal
n that satisfies
diameter of the number distribution nn (D) is the diameter D

dnn (D)
=0 (52)
dD D=D n
Applying condition (52) to (21) proves that the median and modal diameters are identical for
lognormal distributions
n = D
D n (53)
The number, surface, volume, and mass distributions are all lognormal if any one is. Therefore
s = D
(53) implies D s , and D
v = D
v.
3.3.11 Multimodal Distributions

Realistic particle size distributions may be expressed as an appropriately weighted sum of individ-
ual modes.
X I
nn (D) = nin (D) (54)
i=1
where nin (D) is the number distribution of the ith component mode19 . Such particle size distribu-
tions are called multimodal istributions because they contain one maximum for each component
distribution. Generalizing (1), the total number concentration becomes
I Z
X
N0 = nin (D) dD
i=1 0
XI
= N0i (55)
i=1
where N0i is the total number concentration of the ith component mode.
The median diameter of a multimodal distribution is obtained by following the logic of (36)
(39). The number of particles smaller than a given size is
I
!
X Ni 0 Ni ln(Dmax /D ni )
N (D < Dmax ) = + 0 erf (56)
i=1
2 2 2 ln gi
(57)
n , and we can move the unknown D

For the median particle size, Dmax D n to the LHS yielding
I
!
X Ni Ni n /D
ln(D i ) N0
0
+ 0 erf n
=
i=1
2 2 2 ln gi 2
I
!
X n /D
ln(D ni )
N0i erf = 0 (58)
i=1
2 ln gi
where we have used N0 = Ii N0i . Obtaining D n for a multimodal distribution requires numeri-
P
i i i
cally solving (58) given the N0 , Dn , and g .
19
Throughout this section the i superscript represents an index of the component mode, not an exponent.
3.4 Higher Moments 21
3.4 Higher Moments
It is often useful to compute higher moments of the number distribution. Each factor of the inde-
pendent variable weighting the number distribution function nn (D) in the integrand of (14) counts
as a moment. The kth moment of nn (D) is
Z
F (k) = nn (D)Dk dD (59)
0
The statistical properties of higher moments of the lognormal size distribution may be obtained
by direct integration of (59).
!2
N0
Z
1 1 ln(D/D n)
F (k) = exp Dk dD
2 ln g 0 D 2 ln g
!2
N0
Z
1 ln(D/Dn )
= Dk1 exp dD (60)
2 ln g 0 2 ln g

We make the same change of variable z = (ln D ln D n )/ 2 ln g as in (37). This maps D
(0, +) into z (, +). In terms of z we obtain
N0
Z +
F (k) = (D n e 2 z ln g )k1 ez2 2 ln g D n e 2 z ln g dz
2 ln g
N0 + 2 z ln g k z2
Z
= (Dn e ) e dz

nk Z +
N0 D 2
= e 2kz ln g ez dz

k Z +
N0 D 2

= n ez + 2kz ln g dz

nk
N0 D
2 2
2k ln g
= exp
4
= N0 D nk exp( 1 k 2 ln2 g ) (61)
2

where we have used (74) with = 1 and = 2k ln g .
Applying the formula (61) to the first five moments of the lognormal distribution function we
obtain
Z
F (0) = nn (D) dD = N0 = N0 = N0
0
Z
F (1) = nn (D)D dD = N0 D n exp( 1 ln2 g ) = D0 = N0 D n
2
0
Z
F (2) = nn (D)D2 dD = N0 D 2 exp(2 ln2 g ) = S0 = N0 D 2 (62)
n s
Z0
F (3) = nn (D)D3 dD = N0 D n3 exp( 9 ln2 g ) = 6V0 = N0 D v3
2
Z0
F (4) = nn (D)D4 dD = N0 D n4 exp(8 ln2 g )
0
Table 1 includes these relations appear in slightly different forms.
The first few moments of the number distribution are related to measurable properties of the
size distribution. In particular, F (k = 0) is the number concentration. Other quantities of merit
are ratios of consecutive moments. For example, the volume-weighted diameter Dv is computed
by weighted each diameter by the volume of particles at that diameter and then normalizing by the
total volume of all particles.
Z Z
3 3
Dv = D D nn (D) dD D nn (D) dD
0 6 0 6
Z Z
4
= D nn (D) dD D3 nn (D) dD
0 0
= F (4)/F (3)
N0 D n4 exp(8 ln2 g )
=
N0 D n3 exp( 9 ln2 g )
2

= Dn exp( ln2 g )
7
(63)
2
The surface-weighted diameter Ds is defined analogously to Dv . Ds is more often known by

its other name, the effective diameter (twice the effective radius). The term effective refers to
the light extinction properties of the distribution. Light impinging on a particle distribution is, in
the limit of geometric optics, extinguished in proportion to the cross-sectional area of the particles.
Hence the effective diameter (or radius) characterizes the extinction properties of the distribution.
Following (63), the effective diameter is
Ds = F (3)/F (2)
N0 D n3 exp( 9 ln2 g )
2
=

N0 D exp(2 ln2 g )
2
n
n exp( 5 ln2 g )
= D (64)
2
Moment-weighted diameters, such as the volume-weighted diameter Dv (63), characterize dis-

perse distributions. A disperse mass distribution nm (D) behaves most like a monodisperse dis-
tribution with all mass residing at D = Dv . Due to approximations, physical operators may
be constrained to act on a single, representative diameter rather than an entire distribution. The
least-wrong diameter to pick is the moment-weighted diameter most relevant to the process be-
ing modeled. For example, Dv best represents the gravitational sedimentation of a distribution of
particles. On the other hand, Ds (64) best represents the scattering cross-section of a distribution
of particles.
3.4.1 Aspherical Particles

The useful relation (??) is a property of the lognormal distribution itself, rather than the particle
shape. A lognormal distribution of aspherical particles also obeys (??). Important measurable
properties of most convex aspherical habits may be represented by a constant times the k th moment
F (k) of the distribution. For example, the surface area Sh [m2 ] and volume Vh [m3 ] of hexagonal
prisms are given by (??)(??). To be consistent with the diameter-centric expressions in Table 1,
3.4 Higher Moments 23
we introduce Dh , the hexagonal prism diameter. Adopting the convention that Dh 2a, the
full-width of the basal face, we obtain
!
3 3
Sh = + 3 Dh2 (65)
4

3 3
Vh = Dh3 (66)
8
The functional forms for Sh and Vh consist of constants multiplying the diameters second and
third moments, respectively. The surface area (D2 ) and volume (D3 /6) of spheres have the
same form. Therefore the higher moments of aspherical particle distributions must be the same
as spherical particle distributions modulo the leading constant expressions. Inserting Sh and Vh
into (65), (66), and (??) leads to analytic expressions for the total surface area S0,h [m2 m3 ] and
volume V0,h [m3 m3 ] of a lognormal distribution of hexagonal prisms:
!
3 3 2
S0,h = 3 + Dn,h exp(2g2 ) (67)
4

3 3 3
V0,h = Dn,h exp(9g2 /2) (68)
8
The total concentration N0,V/S of equivalent V/S-spheres corresponding to a known distribution
of hexagonal prisms must be computed numerically unless the size dependence of the aspect ratio
(D) takes an analytic form. In the simplest case, one can imagine or assume distributions of
hexagonal prisms with constant aspect ratio, i.e, 6= (D). In this idealized case, the ratio
NV/S /Nh (??) is constant throughout the distribution. Then the analytic number concentration of
equivalent V/S-spheres is simply NV/S /Nh times the analytic number concentration of hexagonal
prisms which is presumably known directly from the lognormal size distribution parameters (cf.
Table 1).
3.4.2 Normalization
We show that (21) is normalized by considering
!2
Cn 1 ln(D/D n)
nn (D) = exp (69)
D 2 ln g
where Cn is the normalization constant determined by (7). First we change variables to y =

ln(D/D n)
y = ln D ln Dn
D = D n ey
dy = D1 dD
dD = D n ey dy (70)
24 4 IMPLEMENTATION IN NCAR MODELS
This transformation maps D (0, +) into y (, +). In terms of y, the normalization
condition (7) becomes
Z + " 2 #
Cn 1 y n expy dy = 1
exp D

Dn exp y 2 ln g
Z + " 2 #
1 y
Cn exp dy = 1
2 ln g
Next we change variables to z = y/ ln g

z = y/ ln g
y = z ln g
dz = (ln g )1 dy
dy = ln g dz (71)
This transformation does not change the limits of integration and we obtain
Z + 2
z
Cn exp ln g dz = 1
2

Cn 2 ln g = 1
1
Cn = (72)
2 ln g
In the above we used
R + the well-known normalization property of the Gaussian distribution function,
x2 /2

e dx = 2 (73).
4 Implementation in NCAR models

The discussion thus far has centered on the theoretical considerations of size distributions. In
practice, these ideas must be implemented in computer codes which model, e.g., Mie scattering
parameters or thermodynamic growth of aerosol populations. This section describes how these
ideas have been implemented in the NCAR-Dust and Mie models.
4.1 NCAR-Dust Model

The NCAR-Dust model uses as input a time invariant dataset of surface soil size distribution. The
two such datasets currently used are from Webb et al. (1993) and from IBIS (Foley, 1998). The
Webb et al. dataset provides global information for three soil texture types: sand, clay and silt.
At each gridpoint, the mass flux of dust is partitioned into mass contributions from each of these
soil types. To accomplish this, the partitioning scheme assumes a size distribution for the source
soil of the deflated particles. Table 4 lists the lognormal distribution parameters associated with
the surface soil texture data of Webb et al. (1993) and of Foley (1998). The dust model is a size
resolving aerosol model. Thus, overlap factors are computed to determine the fraction of each
parent size type which is mobilized into each atmospheric dust size bin during a deflation event.
4.1 NCAR-Dust Model 25
n
Soil Texture D g Description
Sand Sand
Silt Silt
Clay Clay
n
Soil Texture D g Description
Sand Sand
Silt Silt
Clay Clay
Table 4: Source size distribution associated with surface soil texture data of Webb et al. (1993) and
of Foley (1998).
26 4 IMPLEMENTATION IN NCAR MODELS
4.2 Mie Scattering Model
This section documents the Mie scattering code mie. mie is box model intended to provide ex-
act simulations of microphysical processes for the purpose of parameterization into larger scale
models. mie provides instantaneous and equilibrium decriptions of many processes ranging from
surface flux exchange, dust production, reflection of polarized radiation, and, as its name suggests,
the interaction of particles and radiation. Thus the inputs to mie are the instantaneous state (bound-
ary and initial conditions) of the environment. Given these, the program solves for the associated
rates of change and unknown variables.
There is no time-stepping loop primarily because mie generates an extraordinary amount of
information about the instantaneous state. Time-stepping this environment in a box-model-like
format would be prohibitive if all quantities were allowed to evolve.
4.2.1 Input switches

The flexibility and power of mie can only be exercised by actively using the hundreds of in-
put switches which control its behavior. This section describes how some of these switches are
commonly used to control fundamental properties of the microphysical environment. A complete
reference table for these switches, there default values, and dimensional units, is presented in Ap-
pendix 5.3.
The heart of mie is an aerosol size distribution. Most users will wish to initialize this size
distribution to a particular type of aerosol, and to a particular shape. This is accomplished with the
cmp aer and psd typ keywords. The linearity, range, and resolution of the grid on which the
analytic size distribution is discretized are controlled by the sz grd, sz mnm, sz mxm, sz nbr
switches, respectively. Compute size distribution characteristics of a lognormal distribution
mie -dbg -no_mie --psd_typ=lognormal --sz_grd=log --sz_mnm=0.01 \

--sz_mxm=10.0 --sz_nbr=300 --rds_nma=0.4 --gsd_anl=2.2
mie -dbg -no_mie --psd_typ=lognormal --sz_grd=log --sz_mnm=1.0 \
--sz_mxm=10.0 --sz_nbr=25 --rds_nma=2.0 --gsd_anl=2.2
4.2.2 Moments of Size Distribution

Determine the analytic (or resolved) moments of an arbitrary size distribution.
1. Generate the size distribution. (It may have more than one moment)
2. Select the statistics of interest
# 1. Lognormal distribution with mass median diameter 3.5 um, GSD = 2.0
mie -no_mie --psd_typ=lognormal --sz_grd=log --sz_nbr=1000 \
--sz_mnm=0.005 --sz_mxm=50.0 --dmt_vma=3.5 --gsd_anl=2.0
# 2. Extract median and weighted analytic moments of diameter
ncks -H -v dmt_vwa,dmt_vma,dmt_swa,dmt_sma,dmt_nwa,dmt_nma ${DATA}/mie/mie.n
# 3. Extract median and weighted resolved moments of diameter
ncks -H -v dmt_vwr,dmt_vmr,dmt_swr,dmt_smr,dmt_nwr,dmt_nmr ${DATA}/mie/mie.n
# 4. Extract median and weighted analytic moments of diameter
27
ncks -H -v rds_vwa,rds_vma,rds_swa,rds_sma,rds_nwa,rds_nma ${DATA}/mie/mie.n
# 5. Extract median and weighted resolved moments of diameter
ncks -H -v rds_vwr,rds_vmr,rds_swr,rds_smr,rds_nwr,rds_nmr ${DATA}/mie/mie.n
# 6. Extract number, surface area, and volume distributions at specific size
ncks -H -C -F -u -v dst,dst_rds,dst_sfc,dst_vlm -d sz,1.0e-6 ${DATA}/mie/mie
4.2.3 Generating Properties for Multi-Bin

On occasion, a seriouly masochistic scientist will decide to create the ultimate hybrid bin-spectral
aerosol method by discretizing the size distribution into a finite number of bins each with an inde-
pendently configurable analytic sub-bin distribution. Generating properties for all the bins in such
a scheme requires enormous amounts of bookkeeping, or, if a computer is available, a relatively
simple Perl batch script named psd.pl.
The psd.pl batch script calls mie repeatedly in a loop over particle bin. As input, psd.pl
accepts concise array representations of each property of a bin. For example, --sz_nbr={200,25,25,25}
specifies that bin 1 is discretized into 200 sub-bins, and the remaining three bins are each dis-
cretized into only 25 sub-bins.
/dst/psd.pl --dbg=1 --CCM_SW --ftn_fxd --psd_nbr=4 --spc_idx_sng={01,02,03,

--sz_mnm={0.05,0.5,1.25,2.5} --sz_mxm={0.5,1.25,2.5,5.0} --sz_nbr={200,25,25
--dmt_vma_dfl=3.5 > ${DATA}/dst/mie/psd_CCM_SW.txt.v3 2>&1 &
5 Appendix
5.1 Properties of Gaussians
The area under a Gaussian distribution may be expressed in closed form for infinite domains.
This result can be obtained (IIRC) by transforming to polar coordinates in the complex plane
x = r(cos + i sin ). Z +
2
ex /2 dx = 2 (73)

This is a special case of a more general result

+
Z r 2
2
exp(x x) dx = exp where > 0 (74)
4
To obtain this result, complete the square under the integrand, change variables to y = x + /2,
and then apply (73). Substituting = 1/2 and = 0 into (74) yields (73).
5.2 Error Function

The error function erf(x) may be defined as the partial integral of a Gaussian curve
Z z
2 2
erf(z) = ex dx (75)
0
28 5 APPENDIX
Using (73) and the symmetry of a Gaussian curve, it is simple to show that the error function is
bounded by the limits erf(0) = 0 and erf() = 1. Thus erf(z) is the cumulative probability func-
tion for a normally distributed variable z (fxm: True??). Most compilers implement erf(x) as an
intrinsic function. Thus erf(x) is used to compute areas bounded by finite lognormal distributions
(3.3.6).
5.3 Command Line Switches for mie Code

Table 5 summarizes all of the command line arguments available to control the behavior of the mie
program. This is a summary onlyit is impractical to think that written documentation could every
convey the exact meaning of all the switches20 . The most frequently used switches are described
in Section 4.2.1. The only way to learn the full meaning of the more obscure switches is to read
the source code itself.
20
Perhaps the most useful way to begin to contribute to this FACT would be to systematize and extend the docu-
mentation of command line switches
Table 5: Command Line Switches for mie code2122
5.3
Switch Purpose Default Units
Boolean flags
--abc flg Alphabetize output with ncks true Flag
--abs ncl wk mdm flg Absorbing inclusion in weakly-absorbing sphere false Flag
--bch flg Batch behavior false Flag
--coat flg Assume coated spheres false Flag
--drv rds nma flg Derive rds nma from bin boundaries false Flag
--fdg flg Tune the extinction of a particular band false Flag
--hxg flg Aspherical particles are hexagonal prisms true Flag
--vts flg Apply equal-V/S approximation for aspherical false Flag
Command Line Switches for mie Code
optical properties
--ftn fxd flg Fortran fixed format false Flag
--hrz flg Print size-resolved optical properties at debug false Flag
wavelength
--mca flg Multi-component aerosol with effective medium false Flag
approximation
--mie flg Perform Mie scattering calculation true Flag
--no abc flg Set abc flg to false Flag
--no bch flg Set bch flg to false Flag
--no hrz flg Set hrz flg to false Flag
--no mie flg Set mie flg to false Flag
--no wrn ntp flg Set wrn ntp flg to false Flag
--wrn ntp flg Print WARNINGs from ntp vec() true Flag
Variables
--RH lqd Relative humidity w/r/t liquid water 0.8 Fraction
--asp rat hxg dfl Hexagonal prism aspect ratio 1.0 Fraction
29
30
--asp rat lps dfl Ellipsoidal aspect ratio 1.0 Fraction

--bnd SW LW Boundary between SW and LW weighting 5.0 106 m
--bnd nbr Number of sub-bands per output band 1 Number
--cmp cor Composition of core air String
--cmp mdm Composition of medium air String
--cmp mnt Composition of mantle air String
--cmp mtx Composition of matrix air String
--cmp ncl Composition of inclusion air String
--cmp prt Composition of particle saharan dust String
--cnc nbr anl dfl Number concentration analytic, default 1.0 # m3
--cnc nbr pcp anl Number concentration analytic, raindrop 1.0 # m3
--cpv foo Intrinsic computational precision temporary 0.0 Fraction
variable
--dbg lvl Debugging level 0 Index
--dmn nbr max Maximum number of dimensions allowed in 2 Number
single variable in output file
--dmn frc Fractal dimensionality of inclusions 3.0 Fraction
--dmn rcd Record dimension name String
--dmt dtc Diameter of detector 0.001 m
--dmt nma mcr Number median analytic diameter cmd ln dfl m
5
--dmt pcp nma mcr Diameter number median analytic, raindrop, 1000.0 m
microns
--dmt swa mcr Surface area weighted mean diameter analytic cmd ln dfl m
--dmt vma mcr Volume median diameter analytic cmd ln dfl m
--dns cor Density of core 0.0 kg m3
APPENDIX
5.3
--dns mdm Density of medium 0.0 kg m3

--dns mnt Density of mantle 0.0 kg m3
--dns mtx Density of matrix 0.0 kg m3
--dns ncl Density of inclusion 0.0 kg m3
--dns prt Density of particle 0.0 kg m3
--doy Day of year [1.0..367.0) 135.0 day
--drc dat Data directory /data/zender/aca String
--drc in Input directory ${HOME}/nco/data String
--drc out Output directory ${HOME}/c++ String
--dsd dbg mcr Debugging size for raindrops 1000.0 m

--dsd mnm mcr Minimum diameter in raindrop distribution 999.0 m
--dsd mxm mcr Maximum diameter in raindrop distribution 1001.0 m
--dsd nbr Number of raindrop size bins 1 Number
--fdg idx Band to tune by fdg val 0 Index
--fdg val Tuning factor for all bands 1.0 Fraction
--fl err File for error messages cerr String
--fl idx rfr cor File or function for refractive indices of core String
--fl idx rfr mdm File or function for refractive indices of medium String
--fl idx rfr mnt File or function for refractive indices of mantle String
--fl idx rfr mtx File or function for refractive indices of matrix String
--fl idx rfr ncl File or function for refractive indices of inclusion String
--fl idx rfr prt File or function for refractive indices of particle String
--fl slr spc File or function for solar spectrum String
--flt foo Intrinsic float temporary variable 0.0 Fraction
31
32
--flx LW dwn sfc Longwave downwelling flux at surface 0.0 W m2

--flx SW net gnd Solar flux absorbed by ground 450.0 W m2
--flx SW net vgt Solar flux absorbed by vegetation 0.0 W m2
--flx frc drc sfc cmd ln Surface insolation fraction in direct beam 0.85 Fraction
--flx vlm pcp rsl Precipitation volume flux, resolved 1.0 m3 m2 s1
--gsd anl dfl Geometric standard deviation, default 2.0 Fraction
--gsd pcp anl Geometric standard deviation, raindrop 1.86 Fraction
--hgt mdp Midlayer height above surface 95.0 m
--hgt rfr Reference height (i.e., 10 m) at which surface 10.0 m
winds are evaluated for dust mobilization
--hgt zpd dps cmd ln Zero plane displacement height cmd ln dfl m
--hgt zpd mbl Zero plane displacement height for erodible 0.0 m
surfaces
--idx rfr cor usr Refractive index of core 1.0 + 0.0i Complex
--idx rfr mdm usr Refractive index of medium 1.0 + 0.0i Complex
--idx rfr mnt usr Refractive index of mantle 1.33 + 0.0i Complex
--idx rfr mtx usr Refractive index of matrix 1.0 + 0.0i Complex
--idx rfr ncl usr Refractive index of inclusion 1.0 + 0.0i Complex
--idx rfr prt usr Refractive index of particle 1.33 + 0.0i Complex

--lat dgr Latitude 40.0
5
--lbl sng Line-by-line test CO2 String

--lgn nbr Number of terms in Legendre expansion of phase 8 Number
function
--lnd frc dry Dry land fraction 1.0 Fraction
--mmw prt Mean molecular weight 0.0 kg mol1
APPENDIX
5.3
--mno lng dps cmd ln Monin-Obukhov length cmd ln dfl m

--mss frc cly Mass fraction clay 0.19 Fraction
--mss frc snd Mass fraction sand 0.777 Fraction
--ngl nbr Number of angles in Mie computation 11 Number
--oro Orography: ocean=0.0, land=1.0, sea ice=2.0 1.0 Fraction
--pnt typ idx Plant type index 14 Index
--prs mdp Environmental pressure 100825.0 Pa
--prs ntf Environmental surface pressure prs STP Pa
--psd typ Particle size distribution type lognormal String
--q H2O vpr Specific humidity cmd ln dfl kg kg1

--rds ffc gmm mcr Effective radius of Gamma distribution 50.0 m
--rds nma mcr Number median analytic radius 0.2986 m
--rds swa mcr Surface area weighted mean radius analytic cmd ln dfl m
--rds vma mcr Volume median radius analytic cmd ln dfl m
--rgh mmn dps cmd ln Roughness length momentum cmd ln dfl m
--rgh mmn ice std Roughness length over sea ice 0.0005 m
--rgh mmn mbl Roughness length momentum for erodible 100.0 106 m
surfaces
--rgh mmn smt Smooth roughness length 10.0 106 m
--rfl gnd dff Diffuse reflectance of ground (beneath snow) 0.20 Fraction
--sfc typ LSM surface type [0..28] 2 Index
--slf tst typ Self-test type BoH83 String
--slr cst Solar constant 1367.0 W m2
--slr spc key Solar spectrum string LaN68 String
33
34
--slr zen ngl cos Cosine solar zenith angle 1.0 Fraction
--slv sng Mie solver to use Wis79 String
--snw hgt lqd Equivalent liquid water snow depth 0.0 m
--soi typ LSM soil type [1..5] 1 Index
--spc heat prt Specific heat capacity 0.0 J kg1 K1
--spc abb sng Species abbreviation for Fortran data foo String
--spc idx sng Species index for Fortran data foo String
--ss alb cmd ln Single scattering albedo 1.0 Fraction
--sz dbg mcr Debugging size 1.0 m
--sz grd sng Type of size grid logarithmic String
--sz mnm mcr Minimum size in distribution 0.9 m
--sz mxm mcr Maximum size in distribution 1.1 m
--sz nbr Number of particle size bins 1 Number
--sz prm rsn Size parameter resolution 0.1 Fraction
--thr nbr Thread number 0 Number
--tm dlt Timestep 1200.0 s
--tpt bbd wgt Blackbody temperature of radiation 273.15 K
--tpt gnd Ground temperature 300.0 K
--tpt ice Ice temperature tpt frz pnt K
--tpt mdp
5
Environmental temperature 300.0 K

--tpt prt Particle temperature 273.15 K
--tpt soi Soil temperature 297.0 K
--tpt sst Sea surface temperature 300.0 K
--tpt vgt Vegetation temperature 300.0 K
APPENDIX
5.3
--tst sng Name of test to perform (htg, lbl, nc, nsz, String
psd ntg dgn)
--var ffc gmm Effective variance of Gamma distribution 1.0 Fraction
--vlm frc mntl Fraction of volume in mantle 0.5 Fraction
--vmr CO2 Volume mixing ratio of CO2 355.0 106 molecule molecule1
--vmr HNO3 gas Volume mixing ratio of gaseous HNO3 0.05 109 molecule molecule1
--vwc sfc Volumetric water content 0.03 m3 m3
--wbl shp Weibull distribution shape parameter 2.4 Fraction
--wnd frc dps cmd ln Friction speed cmd ln dfl m s1
--wnd mrd mdp Surface layer meridional wind speed 0.0 m s1

--wnd znl mdp Surface layer zonal wind speed 10.0 m s1
--wvl dbg mcr Debugging wavelength 0.50 m
--wvl grd sng Type of wavelength grid regular String
--wvl dlt mcr Bandwidth 0.1 m
--wvl mdp mcr Midpoint wavelength cmd ln dfl m
--wvl mnm mcr Minimum wavelength 0.45 m
--wvl mxm mcr Maximum wavelength 0.55 m
--wvl nbr Number of output wavelength bands 1 Number
--wvn dlt xcm Bandwidth 1.0 cm1
--wvn mdp xcm Midpoint wavenumber cmd ln dfl cm1
--wvn mnm xcm Minimum wavenumber 18182 cm1
--wvn mxm xcm Maximum wavenumber 22222 cm1
--wvn nbr Number of output wavenumber bands 1 Number
--xpt dsc Experiment description String
35
36 5 APPENDIX
Table 6 summarizes the fields output by SWNB.
Table 6: SWNB Output Fields23
5.3
Name(s) Purpose Units
abs bb SAS Broadband absorptance of surface-atmosphere fraction

system
abs bb atm Broadband absorptance of surface fraction
abs bb sfc Broadband absorptance of atmosphere fraction
abs nst SAS FSBR absorptance of surface-atmosphere system fraction
abs nst atm FSBR absorptance of surface fraction
abs nst sfc FSBR absorptance of atmosphere fraction
abs spc SAS Spectral absorptance of surface-atmosphere fraction
system
abs spc atm Spectral absorptance of atmosphere fraction

abs spc sfc Spectral absorptance of surface fraction
alb sfc Specified Lambertian surface albedo fraction
alt cld btm Highest interface beneath all clouds in column meter
alt cld thick Thickness of region containing all clouds meter
alt ntf Interface altitude meter
alt Altitude meter
azi dgr Azimuthal angle (degrees) degree
azi Azimuthal angle (radians) radian
bnd Midpoint wavelength meter
flx abs atm rdr Flux absorbed in atmosphere at longer W m2
wavelengths
flx bb abs atm Broadband flux absorbed by atmospheric column W m2
only
flx bb abs sfc Broadband flux absorbed by surface only W m2
37
38
flx bb abs ttl Broadband flux absorbed by surface-atmosphere W m2

system
flx bb abs Broadband flux absorbed by layer W m2
flx bb dwn TOA Broadband incoming flux at TOA (total W m2
insolation)
flx bb dwn dff Diffuse downwelling broadband flux W m2
flx bb dwn drc Direct downwelling broadband flux W m2
flx bb dwn sfc Broadband downwelling flux at surface W m2
flx bb dwn Total downwelling broadband flux W m2
(direct+diffuse)
flx bb net Net broadband flux (downwellingupwelling) W m2
flx bb up Upwelling broadband flux W m2
flx nst abs atm FSBR flux absorbed by atmospheric column only W m2
flx nst abs sfc FSBR flux absorbed by surface only W m2
flx nst abs ttl FSBR flux absorbed by surface-atmosphere W m2
system
flx nst abs FSBR flux absorbed by layer W m2
flx nst dwn TOA FSBR incoming flux at TOA (total insolation) W m2
flx nst dwn sfc FSBR downwelling flux at surface W m2
flx nst dwn Total downwelling FSBR flux (direct+diffuse) W m2
flx nst net Net FSBR flux (downwellingupwelling) W m2
5
flx nst up Upwelling FSBR flux W m2

flx slr frc Fraction of solar flux fraction
flx spc abs SAS Spectral flux absorbed by surface-atmosphere W m2 m1
system
APPENDIX
5.3
flx spc abs atm Spectral flux absorbed by atmospheric column W m2 m1

only
flx spc abs sfc Spectral flux absorbed by surface only W m2 m1
flx spc abs Spectral flux absorbed by layer W m2 m1
flx spc act pht TOA Spectral actinic photon flux at TOA # m2 s1 m1
flx spc act pht sfc Spectral actinic photon flux at surface # m2 s1 m1
flx spc dwn TOA Spectral solar insolation at TOA W m2 m1
flx spc dwn dff Spectral diffuse downwelling flux W m2 m1
flx spc dwn drc Spectral direct downwelling flux W m2 m1
flx spc dwn sfc Spectral solar insolation at surface W m2 m1

flx spc dwn Spectral downwelling flux W m2 m1
flx spc pht dwn sfc Spectral photon flux downwelling at surface # m2 s1 m1
flx spc up Spectral upwelling flux W m2 m1
frc ice ttl Fraction of column condensate that is ice fraction
htg rate bb Broadband heating rate K s1
j NO2 Photolysis rate for NO2 + h O(3 P) + NO s1
j spc NO2 sfc Spectral photolysis rate at sfc for s1 m1
NO2 + h O(3 P) + NO
lat dgr Latitude (degrees) degree
lcl time hr Local day hour hour
lcl yr day Day of year in local time day
levp Interface pressure pascal
lev Layer pressure pascal
mpc CWP Total column Condensed Water Path kg m2
39
40
nrg pht Energy of photon at band center joule photon-1

ntn bb aa Broadband azimuthally averaged intensity W m2 sr1
ntn bb mean Broadband mean intensity W m2 sr1
ntn spc aa ndr sfc Spectral intensity of nadir radiation at surface W m2 m1 sr1
ntn spc aa ndr Spectral intensity of nadir radiation W m2 m1 sr1
ntn spc aa sfc Spectral intensity of radiation at surface W m2 m1 sr1
ntn spc aa zen sfc Spectral intensity of zenith radiation at surface W m2 m1 sr1
ntn spc aa zen Spectral intensity of zenith radiation W m2 m1 sr1
ntn spc chn Full spectral intensity of particular band W m2 m1 sr1
ntn spc mean Spectral mean intensity W m2 m1 sr1
odac spc aer Aerosol absorption optical depth to surface fraction
odac spc bga Background aerosol absorption optical depth to fraction
surface
odac spc ice Liquid water absorption optical depth to surface fraction
odac spc lqd Ice water absorption optical depth to surface fraction
odal obs aer Layer aerosol absorption optical depth fraction
odal obs bga Layer background aerosol absorption optical fraction
depth
odsl obs aer Layer aerosol scattering optical depth fraction
odsl obs bga Layer background aerosol scattering optical depth fraction
5
odxc obs aer Column aerosol extinction optical depth fraction

odxc obs bga Column background aerosol extinction optical fraction
depth
odxc spc CO2 CO2 optical depth to surface fraction
odxc spc H2OH2O H2O dimer optical depth to surface fraction
APPENDIX
5.3
odxc spc H2O H2O optical depth to surface fraction

odxc spc NO2 NO2 optical depth to surface fraction
odxc spc O2N2 O2N2 optical depth to surface fraction
odxc spc O2O2 O2O2 optical depth to surface fraction
odxc spc O2 O2 optical depth to surface fraction
odxc spc O3 O3 optical depth to surface fraction
odxc spc OH OH optical depth to surface fraction
odxc spc Ray Rayleigh scattering optical depth to surface fraction
odxc spc aer Aerosol extinction optical depth to surface fraction
odxc spc bga Background aerosol extinction optical depth to fraction

surface
odxc spc ice Ice water extinction optical depth to surface fraction
odxc spc lqd Liquid water extinction optical depth to surface fraction
odxc spc ttl Total extinction optical depth to surface fraction
odxl obs aer Layer aerosol extinction optical depth fraction
odxl obs bga Layer background aerosol extinction optical fraction
depth
plr cos Cosine polar angle (degrees) fraction
plr dgr Polar angle (degrees) degree
plr Polar angle (radians) radian
rfl bb SAS Broadband albedo of entire surface-atmosphere fraction
system
rfl bb sfc Broadband albedo of surface fraction
rfl nst SAS FSBR albedo of entire surface-atmosphere system fraction
rfl nst sfc FSBR albedo of surface fraction
41
42
rfl spc SAS Spectral planetary flux reflectance fraction

slr zen ngl cos Cosine solar zenith angle fraction
tau prs Optical level (pressure) pascal
tau Optical level (optical depth) fraction
tpt ntf Interface temperature kelvin
tpt Layer Temperature kelvin
trn bb atm Broadband transmission of atmospheric column fraction
trn nst atm FSBR transmission of atmospheric column fraction
trn spc atm CO2 Column transmission due to CO2 absorption fraction
trn spc atm H2OH2O Column transmission due to H2O dimer fraction
absorption
trn spc atm H2O Column transmission due to H2O absorption fraction
trn spc atm NO2 Column transmission due to NO2 absorption fraction
trn spc atm O2N2 Column transmission due to O2-N2 absorption fraction
trn spc atm O2O2 Column transmission due to O2-O2 absorption fraction
trn spc atm O2 Column transmission due to O2 absorption fraction
trn spc atm O3 Column transmission due to O3 absorption fraction
trn spc atm OH Column transmission due to OH absorption fraction
trn spc atm Ray Column transmission due to Rayleigh scattering fraction
trn spc atm aer Column transmission due to aerosol extinction fraction
5
trn spc atm bga Column transmission due to background aerosol fraction
extinction
trn spc atm ice Column transmission due to ice extinction fraction
trn spc atm lqd Column transmission due to liquid extinction fraction
APPENDIX
5.3
trn spc atm ttl Spectral flux transmission of entire column fraction
wvl ctr Midpoint wavelength in band meter
wvl dlt Width of band meter
wvl grd Wavelength grid meter
wvl max Maximum wavelength in band meter
wvl min Minimum wavelength in band meter
wvl obs aer Wavelength of aerosol optical depth specification meter
wvl obs bga Wavelength of background aerosol optical depth meter
specification
wvn ctr Midpoint wavenumber in band centimeter-1

wvn dlt Bandwidth in wavenumbers centimeter-1
wvn max Maximum wavenumber in band centimeter-1
wvn min Minimum wavenumber in band centimeter-1
43
44 5 APPENDIX
Table 7 summarizes the fields output by CLM.
Table 7: CLM Output Fields24
5.3
CO2 vmr clm Carbon Dioxide volume mixing ratio fraction

N2O vmr clm Nitrous Oxide volume mixing ratio fraction
CH4 vmr clm Methane volume mixing ratio fraction
CFC11 vmr clm CFC11 volume mixing ratio fraction
CFC12 vmr clm CFC12 volume mixing ratio fraction
RH ice Relative humidity w/r/t ice fraction
RH Relative humidity fraction
RH lqd Relative humidity w/r/t liquid fraction
alb sfc NIR drc Albedo for NIR radiation at strong zenith angles fraction
alb sfc NIR dff Albedo for NIR radiation at weak zenith angles fraction
alb sfc Prescribed surface albedo fraction
alb sfc vsb drc Albedo for visible radiation at strong zenith fraction
angles
alb sfc vsb dff Albedo for visible radiation at weak zenith angles fraction
alt cld btm Highest interface beneath all clouds in column meter
alt cld mid Altitude at midpoint of all clouds in column meter
alt cld thick Thickness of region containing all clouds meter
alt cld top Lowest interface above all clouds in column meter
alt dlt Layer altitude thickness meter
alt Altitude meter
alt ntf Interface altitude meter
cld frc Cloud fraction fraction
cnc CO2 CO2 concentration molecule m3
cnc CH4 CH4 concentration molecule m3
45
46
cnc N2O N2O concentration molecule m3

cnc CFC11 CFC11 concentration molecule m3
cnc CFC12 CFC12 concentration molecule m3
cnc H2OH2O H2O dimer concentration molecule m3
cnc H2O H2O concentration molecule m3
cnc N2 N2 concentration molecule m3
cnc NO2 NO2 concentration molecule m3
cnc O2O2 O2O2 concentration molecule m3
cnc O2 cnc N2 O2 number concentration times N2 number molecule2 m6
concentration
cnc O2 cnc O2 O2 number concentration squared molecule2 m6
cnc O2 O2 concentration molecule m3
cnc O2 npl N2 clm Column total O2 number concentration times N2 molecule2 m5
number path
cnc O2 npl N2 O2 number concentration times N2 number path molecule2 m5
cnc O2 npl O2 clm Column total O2 number concentration times O2 molecule2 m5
number path
cnc O2 npl O2 clm frc Fraction of column total O2-O2 at or above each fraction
layer
cnc O2 npl O2 O2 number concentration times O2 number path molecule2 m5
cnc O3 O3 concentration # m3
5
cnc OH OH concentration # m3
cnc dry air Dry concentration # m3
cnc mst air Moist air concentration # m3
dns CO2 Density of CO2 kg m3
APPENDIX
5.3
dns CH4 Density of CH4 kg m3

dns N2O Density of N2O kg m3
dns CFC11 Density of CFC11 kg m3
dns CFC12 Density of CFC12 kg m3
dns H2OH2O Density of H20H2O kg m3
dns H2O Density of H2O kg m3
dns N2 Density of N2 kg m3
dns NO2 Density of NO2 kg m3
dns O2O2 Density of O2-O2 kg m3
dns O2 dns N2 O2 mass concentration times N2 mass kg2 m6

concentration
dns O2 dns O2 O2 mass concentration squared kg2 m6
dns O2 Density of O2 kg m3
dns O2 mpl N2 clm Column total O2 mass concentration times N2 kg2 m5
mass path
dns O2 mpl N2 O2 mass concentration times N2 mass path kg2 m5
dns O2 mpl O2 clm Column total O2 mass concentration times O2 kg2 m5
mass path
dns O2 mpl O2 O2 mass concentration times O2 mass path kg2 m5
dns O3 Density of O3 kg m3
dns OH Density of OH kg m3
dns aer Aerosol density kg m3
dns bga Background aerosol density kg m3
dns dry air Density of dry air kg m3
dns mst air Density of moist air kg m3
47
48
eqn time sec foo second

ext cff mss aer Aerosol mass extinction coefficient m2 kg1
ext cff mss bga Background aerosol mass extinction coefficient m2 kg1
frc ice Fraction of condensate that is ice fraction
frc ice ttl Fraction of column condensate that is ice fraction
frc str zen ngl sfc Surface fraction of strong zenith angle fraction
dependence
gas cst mst air Specific gas constant for moist air joule kilogram-1 kelvin-1
gmt day foo day
gmt doy foo day
gmt hr foo hour
gmt mnt foo minute
gmt mth foo month
gmt sec foo second
gmt ydy foo day
gmt yr foo year
grv Gravity meter second-2
oro Orography flag flag
lat cos Cosine of latitude fraction
lat dgr Latitude (degrees) degree
5
lat Latitude (radians) radian

lcl time hr Local day hour hour
lcl yr day Day of year in local time day
lev Layer pressure pascal
APPENDIX
5.3
levp Interface pressure pascal

lmt day foo day
lmt doy foo day
lmt hr foo hour
lmt mnt foo minute
lmt mth foo month
lmt sec foo second
lmt ydy foo day
lmt yr foo year
lon dgr foo degree

lon foo radian
lon sec foo second
ltst day foo day
ltst doy foo day
ltst hr foo hour
ltst mnt foo minute
ltst mth foo month
ltst sec foo second
ltst ydy foo day
ltst yr foo year
mmw mst air Mean molecular weight of moist air kilogram mole-1
mpc CO2 Mass path of CO2 in column kg m2
mpc CH4 Mass path of CH4 in column kg m2
mpc N2O Mass path of N2O in column kg m2
49
50
mpc CFC11 Mass path of CFC11 in column kg m2

mpc CFC12 Mass path of CFC12 in column kg m2
mpc CWP Total column Condensed Water Path kg m2
mpc H2OH2O Mass path of H2O dimer in column kg m2
mpc H2O Mass path of H2O in column kg m2
mpc IWP Total column Ice Water Path kg m2
mpc LWP Total column Liquid Water Path kg m2
mpc N2 Mass path of N2 in column kg m2
mpc NO2 Mass path of NO2 in column kg m2
mpc O2O2 Mass path of O2-O2 in column kg m2
mpc O2 Mass path of O2 in column kg m2
mpc O3 DU Mass path of O3 in column Dobson
mpc O3 Mass path of O3 in column kg m2
mpc OH Mass path of OH in column kg m2
mpc aer Total column mass path of aerosol kg m2
mpc bga Total column mass path of background aerosol kg m2
mpc dry air Mass path of dry air in column kg m2
mpc mst air Mass path of moist air in column kg m2
mpl CO2 Mass path of CO2 in layer kg m2
mpl CH4
5
Mass path of CH4 in layer kg m2

mpl N2O Mass path of N2O in layer kg m2
mpl CFC11 Mass path of CFC11 in layer kg m2
mpl CFC12 Mass path of CFC12 in layer kg m2
mpl CWP Layer Condensed Water Path kg m2
APPENDIX
5.3
mpl H2OH2O Mass path of H2O dimer in layer kg m2

mpl H2O Mass path of H2O in layer kg m2
mpl IWP Layer Ice Water Path kg m2
mpl LWP Layer Liquid Water Path kg m2
mpl N2 Mass path of N2 in layer kg2 m5
mpl NO2 Mass path of NO2 in layer kg m2
mpl O2O2 Mass path of O2-O2 in layer kg m2
mpl O2 Mass path of O2 in layer kg2 m5
mpl O3 Mass path of O3 in layer kg m2
mpl OH Mass path of OH in layer kg m2

mpl aer Layer mass path of aerosol kg m2
mpl bga Layer mass path of aerosol kg m2
mpl dry air Mass path of dry air in layer kg m2
mpl mst air Mass path of moist air in layer kg m2
npc CO2 Column number path of CO2 molecule m2
npc CH4 Column number path of CH4 molecule m2
npc N2O Column number path of N2O molecule m2
npc CFC11 Column number path of CFC11 molecule m2
npc CFC12 Column number path of CFC12 molecule m2
npc H2OH2O Column number path of H2O dimer molecule m2
npc H2O Column number path of H2O molecule m2
npc N2 Column number path of O2 molecule m2
npc NO2 Column number path of NO2 molecule m2
npc O2O2 Column number path of O2O2 molecule m2
51
52
npc O2 Column number path of O2 molecule m2

npc O3 Column number path of O3 molecule m2
npc OH Column number path of OH molecule m2
npc dry air Column number path of dry air molecule m2
npc mst air Column number path of moist air molecule m2
npl CO2 Number path of CO2 in layer molecule m2
npl CH4 Number path of CH4 in layer molecule m2
npl N2O Number path of N2O in layer molecule m2
npl CFC11 Number path of CFC11 in layer molecule m2
npl CFC12 Number path of CFC12 in layer molecule m2
npl H2OH2O Number path of H2O dimer in layer molecule m2
npl H2O Number path of H2O in layer molecule m2
npl N2 Number path of N2 in layer molecule2 m5
npl NO2 Number path of NO2 in layer molecule m2
npl O2O2 Number path of O2-O2 in layer molecule m2
npl O2 Number path of O2 in layer molecule2 m5
npl O3 Number path of O3 in layer molecule m2
npl OH Number path of OH in layer molecule m2
npl dry air Number path of dry air in layer molecule m2
npl mst air
5
Number path of moist air in layer molecule m2

odxc obs aer Column aerosol extinction optical depth fraction
odxc obs bga Column background aerosol extinction optical fraction
depth
odxl obs aer Layer aerosol extinction optical depth fraction
APPENDIX
5.3
odxl obs bga Layer background aerosol extinction optical fraction

depth
oneD foo
ppr CO2 Partial pressure of CO2 pascal
ppr CH4 Partial pressure of CH4 pascal
ppr N2O Partial pressure of N2O pascal
ppr CFC11 Partial pressure of CFC11 pascal
ppr CFC12 Partial pressure of CFC12 pascal
ppr H2OH2O Partial pressure of H2O dimer pascal
ppr H2O Partial pressure of H2O pascal

ppr N2 Partial pressure of N2 pascal
ppr NO2 Partial pressure of NO2 pascal
ppr O2O2 Partial pressure of O2O2 pascal
ppr O2 Partial pressure of O2 pascal
ppr O3 Partial pressure of O3 pascal
ppr OH Partial pressure of OH pascal
ppr dry air Partial pressure of dry air pascal
prs cld btm Highest interface beneath all clouds in column pascal
prs cld mid Pressure at midpoint of all clouds in column pascal
prs cld thick Thickness of region containing all clouds meter
prs cld top Lowest interface above all clouds in column pascal
prs dlt Layer pressure thickness pascal
prs Pressure pascal
prs ntf Interface pressure pascal
53
54
prs sfc Surface pressure pascal

q CO2 Mass mixing ratio of CO2 kg kg1
q CH4 Mass mixing ratio of CH4 kg kg1
q N2O Mass mixing ratio of N2O kg kg1
q CFC11 Mass mixing ratio of CFC11 kg kg1
q CFC12 Mass mixing ratio of CFC12 kg kg1
q H2OH2O Water vapor dimer mass mixing ratio kg kg1
q H2OH2O rcp q H2O Ratio of dimer mmr to monomer mmr fraction
q H2O Water vapor mass mixing ratio fraction
q N2 Mass mixing ratio of N2 kg kg1
q NO2 Mass mixing ratio of NO2 kg kg1
q O2O2 Ozone mass mixing ratio kg kg1
q O2 Mass mixing ratio of O2 kg kg1
q O3 Ozone mass mixing ratio kg kg1
q OH Mass mixing ratio of OH kg kg1
qst H2O ice Saturation mixing ratio w/r/t ice kg kg1
qst H2O lqd Saturation mixing ratio w/r/t liquid kg kg1
r CO2 Dry-mass mixing ratio (r) of CO2 kg kg1
r CH4 Dry-mass mixing ratio (r) of CH4 kg kg1
r N2O
5
Dry-mass mixing ratio (r) of N2O kg kg1

r CFC11 Dry-mass mixing ratio (r) of CFC11 kg kg1
r CFC12 Dry-mass mixing ratio (r) of CFC12 kg kg1
r H2OH2O Dry-mass mixing ratio (r) of H2O dimer kg kg1
r H2O Dry-mass mixing ratio (r) of H2O kg kg1
APPENDIX
5.3
r N2 Dry-mass mixing ratio (r) of N2 kg kg1

r NO2 Dry-mass mixing ratio (r) of NO2 kg kg1
r O2O2 Dry-mass mixing ratio (r) of O2O2 kg kg1
r O2 Dry-mass mixing ratio (r) of O2 kg kg1
r O3 Dry-mass mixing ratio (r) of O3 kg kg1
r OH Dry-mass mixing ratio (r) of OH kg kg1
rds fct ice Effective radius of ice crystals micron
rds fct lqd Effective radius of liquid droplets micron
rgh len Aerodynamic roughness length meter
scl hgt Local scale height meter

sfc ems Surface emissivity fraction
slr azi dgr Solar azimuth angle degree
slr crd gmm dgr foo degree
slr cst Solar constant W m2
slr dcl dgr Solar declination degree
slr dmt dgr Diameter of solar disc degree
slr dst au Earth-sun distance astronomical units
slr elv dgr Solar elevation degree
slr flx TOA Solar flux at TOA W m2
slr flx nrm TOA Solar constant corrected for orbital position W m2
slr hr ngl dgr Solar hour angle degree
slr rfr ngl dgr Solar refraction angle degree
slr rgt asc dgr Solar right ascension degree
slr zen ngl cos Cosine solar zenith angle fraction
55
56
slr zen ngl dgr Solar zenith angle in degrees degree

slr zen ngl Solar zenith angle radian
snow depth Snow depth meter
spc heat mst air Specific heat at constant pressure of moist air joule kilogram-1 kelvin-1
time lmt Seconds between 1969 and LMT of simulation second
time ltst Seconds between 1969 and LTST of simulation second
time unix Seconds between 1969 and GMT of simulation second
tpt cls Layer temperature (Celsius) celsius
tpt cls ntf Interface temperature (Celsius) celsius
tpt Layer Temperature kelvin
tpt ntf Interface temperature kelvin
tpt sfc Temperature of air in contact with surface kelvin
tpt skn Temperature of surface kelvin
tpt vrt Virtual temperature kelvin
vmr CO2 Volume mixing ratio of CO2 number number-1
vmr CH4 Volume mixing ratio of CH4 number number-1
vmr N2O Volume mixing ratio of N2O number number-1
vmr CFC11 Volume mixing ratio of CFC11 number number-1
vmr CFC12 Volume mixing ratio of CFC12 number number-1
vmr H2OH2O
5
Volume mixing ratio of H2O dimer number number-1

vmr H2O Volume mixing ratio of H2O number number-1
vmr N2 Volume mixing ratio of N2 number number-1
vmr NO2 Volume mixing ratio of NO2 number number-1
vmr O2O2 Volume mixing ratio of O2O2 number number-1
APPENDIX
5.3
vmr O2 Volume mixing ratio of O2 number number-1

vmr O3 Volume mixing ratio of O3 number number-1
vmr OH Volume mixing ratio of OH number number-1
wvl obs aer Wavelength of aerosol optical depth specification meter
wvl obs bga Wavelength of background aerosol optical depth meter
specification
xnt fac Eccentricity factor fraction
57
58 BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Index
CFC11 vmr clm, 45 cmp mnt, 30
CFC12 vmr clm, 45 cmp mtx, 30
CH4 vmr clm, 45 cmp ncl, 30
CO2 vmr clm, 45 cmp prt, 30
N2O vmr clm, 45 cnc CFC11, 46
RH ice, 45 cnc CFC12, 46
RH lqd, 29, 45 cnc CH4, 45
RH, 45 cnc CO2, 45
abc flg, 29 cnc H2OH2O, 46
abs bb SAS, 37 cnc H2O, 46
abs bb atm, 37 cnc N2O, 46
abs bb sfc, 37 cnc N2, 46
abs ncl wk mdm flg, 29 cnc NO2, 46
abs nst SAS, 37 cnc O2O2, 46
abs nst atm, 37 cnc O2 cnc N2, 46
abs nst sfc, 37 cnc O2 cnc O2, 46
abs spc SAS, 37 cnc O2 npl N2 clm, 46
abs spc atm, 37 cnc O2 npl N2, 46
abs spc sfc, 37 cnc O2 npl O2 clm frc, 46
alb sfc NIR dff, 45 cnc O2 npl O2 clm, 46
alb sfc NIR drc, 45 cnc O2 npl O2, 46
alb sfc vsb dff, 45 cnc O2, 46
alb sfc vsb drc, 45 cnc O3, 46
alb sfc, 37, 45 cnc OH, 46
alt cld btm, 37, 45 cnc dry air, 46
alt cld mid, 45 cnc mst air, 46
alt cld thick, 37, 45 cnc nbr anl dfl, 30
alt cld top, 45 cnc nbr pcp anl, 30
alt dlt, 45 coat flg, 29
alt ntf, 37, 45 cpv foo, 30
alt, 37, 45 dbg lvl, 30
asp rat hxg dfl, 29 dmn frc, 30
asp rat lps dfl, 30 dmn nbr max, 30
azi dgr, 37 dmn rcd, 30
azi, 37 dmt dtc, 30
bch flg, 29 dmt nma mcr, 30
bnd SW LW, 30 dmt pcp nma mcr, 30
bnd nbr, 30 dmt swa mcr, 30
bnd, 37 dmt vma mcr, 30
cld frc, 45 dns CFC11, 47
cmp aer, 26 dns CFC12, 47
cmp cor, 30 dns CH4, 47
cmp mdm, 30 dns CO2, 46
61
62 INDEX
dns H2OH2O, 47 fl idx rfr ncl, 31
dns H2O, 47 fl idx rfr prt, 31
dns N2O, 47 fl slr spc, 31
dns N2, 47 flt foo, 31
dns NO2, 47 flx LW dwn sfc, 32
dns O2O2, 47 flx SW net gnd, 32
dns O2 dns N2, 47 flx SW net vgt, 32
dns O2 dns O2, 47 flx abs atm rdr, 37
dns O2 mpl N2 clm, 47 flx bb abs atm, 37
dns O2 mpl N2, 47 flx bb abs sfc, 37
dns O2 mpl O2 clm, 47 flx bb abs ttl, 38
dns O2 mpl O2, 47 flx bb abs, 38
dns O2, 47 flx bb dwn TOA, 38
dns O3, 47 flx bb dwn dff, 38
dns OH, 47 flx bb dwn drc, 38
dns aer, 47 flx bb dwn sfc, 38
dns bga, 47 flx bb dwn, 38
dns cor, 30 flx bb net, 38
dns dry air, 47 flx bb up, 38
dns mdm, 31 flx frc drc sfc cmd ln, 32
dns mnt, 31 flx nst abs atm, 38
dns mst air, 47 flx nst abs sfc, 38
dns mtx, 31 flx nst abs ttl, 38
dns ncl, 31 flx nst abs, 38
dns prt, 31 flx nst dwn TOA, 38
doy, 31 flx nst dwn sfc, 38
drc dat, 31 flx nst dwn, 38
drc in, 31 flx nst net, 38
drc out, 31 flx nst up, 38
drv rds nma flg, 29 flx slr frc, 38
dsd dbg mcr, 31 flx spc abs SAS, 38
dsd mnm mcr, 31 flx spc abs atm, 39
dsd mxm mcr, 31 flx spc abs sfc, 39
dsd nbr, 31 flx spc abs, 39
eqn time sec, 48 flx spc act pht TOA, 39
ext cff mss aer, 48 flx spc act pht sfc, 39
ext cff mss bga, 48 flx spc dwn TOA, 39
fdg flg, 29 flx spc dwn dff, 39
fdg idx, 31 flx spc dwn drc, 39
fdg val, 31 flx spc dwn sfc, 39
fl err, 31 flx spc dwn, 39
fl idx rfr cor, 31 flx spc pht dwn sfc, 39
fl idx rfr mdm, 31 flx spc up, 39
fl idx rfr mnt, 31 flx vlm pcp rsl, 32
fl idx rfr mtx, 31 frc ice ttl, 39, 48
INDEX 63
frc ice, 48 lmt mth, 49
frc str zen ngl sfc, 48 lmt sec, 49
ftn fxd flg, 29 lmt ydy, 49
gas cst mst air, 48 lmt yr, 49
gmt day, 48 lnd frc dry, 32
gmt doy, 48 lon dgr, 49
gmt hr, 48 lon sec, 49
gmt mnt, 48 lon, 49
gmt mth, 48 ltst day, 49
gmt sec, 48 ltst doy, 49
gmt ydy, 48 ltst hr, 49
gmt yr, 48 ltst mnt, 49
grv, 48 ltst mth, 49
gsd anl dfl, 32 ltst sec, 49
gsd pcp anl, 32 ltst ydy, 49
hgt mdp, 32 ltst yr, 49
hgt rfr, 32 mca flg, 29
hgt zpd dps cmd ln, 32 mie flg, 29
hgt zpd mbl, 32 mie, 5, 26, 28
hrz flg, 29 mmw mst air, 49
htg rate bb, 39 mmw prt, 32
htg, 35 mno lng dps cmd ln, 33
hxg flg, 29 mpc CFC11, 50
idx rfr cor usr, 32 mpc CFC12, 50
idx rfr mdm usr, 32 mpc CH4, 49
idx rfr mnt usr, 32 mpc CO2, 49
idx rfr mtx usr, 32 mpc CWP, 39, 50
idx rfr ncl usr, 32 mpc H2OH2O, 50
idx rfr prt usr, 32 mpc H2O, 50
j NO2, 39 mpc IWP, 50
j spc NO2 sfc, 39 mpc LWP, 50
lat cos, 48 mpc N2O, 49
lat dgr, 32, 39, 48 mpc N2, 50
lat, 48 mpc NO2, 50
lbl sng, 32 mpc O2O2, 50
lbl, 35 mpc O2, 50
lcl time hr, 39, 48 mpc O3 DU, 50
lcl yr day, 39, 48 mpc O3, 50
levp, 39, 49 mpc OH, 50
lev, 39, 48 mpc aer, 50
lgn nbr, 32 mpc bga, 50
lmt day, 49 mpc dry air, 50
lmt doy, 49 mpc mst air, 50
lmt hr, 49 mpl CFC11, 50
lmt mnt, 49 mpl CFC12, 50
64 INDEX
mpl CH4, 50 npl CH4, 52
mpl CO2, 50 npl CO2, 52
mpl CWP, 50 npl H2OH2O, 52
mpl H2OH2O, 51 npl H2O, 52
mpl H2O, 51 npl N2O, 52
mpl IWP, 51 npl N2, 52
mpl LWP, 51 npl NO2, 52
mpl N2O, 50 npl O2O2, 52
mpl N2, 51 npl O2, 52
mpl NO2, 51 npl O3, 52
mpl O2O2, 51 npl OH, 52
mpl O2, 51 npl dry air, 52
mpl O3, 51 npl mst air, 52
mpl OH, 51 nrg pht, 40
mpl aer, 51 nsz, 35
mpl bga, 51 ntn bb aa, 40
mpl dry air, 51 ntn bb mean, 40
mpl mst air, 51 ntn spc aa ndr sfc, 40
mss frc cly, 33 ntn spc aa ndr, 40
mss frc snd, 33 ntn spc aa sfc, 40
ncks, 29 ntn spc aa zen sfc, 40
nc, 35 ntn spc aa zen, 40
ngl nbr, 33 ntn spc chn, 40
no abc flg, 29 ntn spc mean, 40
no bch flg, 29 odac spc aer, 40
no hrz flg, 29 odac spc bga, 40
no mie flg, 29 odac spc ice, 40
no wrn ntp flg, 29 odac spc lqd, 40
npc CFC11, 51 odal obs aer, 40
npc CFC12, 51 odal obs bga, 40
npc CH4, 51 odsl obs aer, 40
npc CO2, 51 odsl obs bga, 40
npc H2OH2O, 51 odxc obs aer, 40, 52
npc H2O, 51 odxc obs bga, 40, 52
npc N2O, 51 odxc spc CO2, 40
npc N2, 51 odxc spc H2OH2O, 40
npc NO2, 51 odxc spc H2O, 41
npc O2O2, 51 odxc spc NO2, 41
npc O2, 52 odxc spc O2N2, 41
npc O3, 52 odxc spc O2O2, 41
npc OH, 52 odxc spc O2, 41
npc dry air, 52 odxc spc O3, 41
npc mst air, 52 odxc spc OH, 41
npl CFC11, 52 odxc spc Ray, 41
npl CFC12, 52 odxc spc aer, 41
INDEX 65
odxc spc bga, 41 q H2O, 54
odxc spc ice, 41 q N2O, 54
odxc spc lqd, 41 q N2, 54
odxc spc ttl, 41 q NO2, 54
odxl obs aer, 41, 52 q O2O2, 54
odxl obs bga, 41, 53 q O2, 54
oneD foo, 53 q O3, 54
oro, 33, 48 q OH, 54
plr cos, 41 qst H2O ice, 54
plr dgr, 41 qst H2O lqd, 54
plr, 41 r CFC11, 54
pnt typ idx, 33 r CFC12, 54
ppr CFC11, 53 r CH4, 54
ppr CFC12, 53 r CO2, 54
ppr CH4, 53 r H2OH2O, 54
ppr CO2, 53 r H2O, 54
ppr H2OH2O, 53 r N2O, 54
ppr H2O, 53 r N2, 55
ppr N2O, 53 r NO2, 55
ppr N2, 53 r O2O2, 55
ppr NO2, 53 r O2, 55
ppr O2O2, 53 r O3, 55
ppr O2, 53 r OH, 55
ppr O3, 53 rds fct ice, 55
ppr OH, 53 rds fct lqd, 55
ppr dry air, 53 rds ffc gmm mcr, 33
prs cld btm, 53 rds nma mcr, 33
prs cld mid, 53 rds swa mcr, 33
prs cld thick, 53 rds vma mcr, 33
prs cld top, 53 rfl bb SAS, 41
prs dlt, 53 rfl bb sfc, 41
prs mdp, 33 rfl gnd dff, 33
prs ntf, 33, 53 rfl nst SAS, 41
prs sfc, 54 rfl nst sfc, 41
prs, 53 rfl spc SAS, 42
psd.pl, 27 rgh len, 55
psd ntg dgn, 35 rgh mmn dps cmd ln, 33
psd typ, 26, 33 rgh mmn ice std, 33
q CFC11, 54 rgh mmn mbl, 33
q CFC12, 54 rgh mmn smt, 33
q CH4, 54 scl hgt, 55
q CO2, 54 sfc ems, 55
q H2OH2O rcp q H2O, 54 sfc typ, 33
q H2OH2O, 54 slf tst typ, 33
q H2O vpr, 33 slr azi dgr, 55
66 INDEX
slr crd gmm dgr, 55 tpt mdp, 34
slr cst, 33, 55 tpt ntf, 42, 56
slr dcl dgr, 55 tpt prt, 34
slr dmt dgr, 55 tpt sfc, 56
slr dst au, 55 tpt skn, 56
slr elv dgr, 55 tpt soi, 34
slr flx TOA, 55 tpt sst, 34
slr flx nrm TOA, 55 tpt vgt, 34
slr hr ngl dgr, 55 tpt vrt, 56
slr rfr ngl dgr, 55 tpt, 42, 56
slr rgt asc dgr, 55 trn bb atm, 42
slr spc key, 33 trn nst atm, 42
slr zen ngl cos, 34, 42, 55 trn spc atm CO2, 42
slr zen ngl dgr, 56 trn spc atm H2OH2O, 42
slr zen ngl, 56 trn spc atm H2O, 42
slv sng, 34 trn spc atm NO2, 42
snow depth, 56 trn spc atm O2N2, 42
snw hgt lqd, 34 trn spc atm O2O2, 42
soi typ, 34 trn spc atm O2, 42
spc abb sng, 34 trn spc atm O3, 42
spc heat mst air, 56 trn spc atm OH, 42
spc heat prt, 34 trn spc atm Ray, 42
spc idx sng, 34 trn spc atm aer, 42
ss alb cmd ln, 34 trn spc atm bga, 42
sz dbg mcr, 34 trn spc atm ice, 42
sz grd sng, 34 trn spc atm lqd, 42
sz grd, 26 trn spc atm ttl, 43
sz mnm mcr, 34 tst sng, 35
sz mnm, 26 var ffc gmm, 35
sz mxm mcr, 34 vlm frc mntl, 35
sz mxm, 26 vmr CFC11, 56
sz nbr, 26, 34 vmr CFC12, 56
sz prm rsn, 34 vmr CH4, 56
tau prs, 42 vmr CO2, 35, 56
tau, 42 vmr H2OH2O, 56
thr nbr, 34 vmr H2O, 56
time lmt, 56 vmr HNO3 gas, 35
time ltst, 56 vmr N2O, 56
time unix, 56 vmr N2, 56
tm dlt, 34 vmr NO2, 56
tpt bbd wgt, 34 vmr O2O2, 56
tpt cls ntf, 56 vmr O2, 57
tpt cls, 56 vmr O3, 57
tpt gnd, 34 vmr OH, 57
tpt ice, 34 vts flg, 29
INDEX 67
vwc sfc, 35 distribution function, 2
wbl shp, 35 dust emissions, 18
wnd frc dps cmd ln, 35
wnd mrd mdp, 35 effective diameter, 22
wnd znl mdp, 35 effective radius, 22
wrn ntp flg, 29 effective size, 5
wvl ctr, 43 effective variance, 5
wvl dbg mcr, 35 equivalent area spherical radius, 3
wvl dlt mcr, 35 equivalent diameter, 3
wvl dlt, 43 equivalent radius, 3
wvl grd sng, 35 equivalent volume spherical radius, 3
wvl grd, 43 error function, 6, 16, 17, 27
wvl max, 43 fields, 36, 44
wvl mdp mcr, 35
wvl min, 43 gamma distribution, 5
wvl mnm mcr, 35 geometric optics, 22
wvl mxm mcr, 35 geometric standard deviation, 6, 16
wvl nbr, 35 gravitational sedimentation, 22
wvl obs aer, 43, 57
wvl obs bga, 43, 57 independent variable, 3
wvn ctr, 43 input switches, 26
wvn dlt xcm, 35
Legendre expansion, 32
wvn dlt, 43
lognormal distribution, 6
wvn max, 43
lognormal distribution function, 6
wvn mdp xcm, 35
lower bound concentration, 2
wvn min, 43
wvn mnm xcm, 35 mass distribution, 19
wvn mxm xcm, 35 mdlsxn, 2
wvn nbr, 35 mean size, 4
xnt fac, 57 mean value, 4
xpt dsc, 35 median diameter, 19, 20
median radius, 2
AERONET, 14
Mie theory, 3
almucantar, 14
mineral dust, 3, 18
arithmetic mean size, 4
modal diameter, 19
aspherical particles, 3
mode, 19
average size, 4
mode diameter, 19, 19
bounded distribution, 16 moment, 21
monodisperse distribution, 22
columnar volume, 16 multimodal distribution, 20
command line arguments, 28 multimodal istributions, 20
convention, 4
cumulative concentration, 2, 7, 16 nomenclature, 2
normal distribution, 5
differential number concentration, 4 normalization constant, 23
68 INDEX
number concentration, 22
number distribution, 19
number mean size, 4
number-weighted mean size, 4
overlap factors, 18
overlapping distributions, 18
PDF, 3
Perl, 27
PRIDE, 13
probability density functions, 3
radiative transfer, 3
scattering cross-section, 22
SI, 15
sink bins, 18
size distribution, 2
source bins, 18
source distributions, 18
spectral density function, 2
spherical particles, 4
standard deviation, 5
surface-weighted diameter, 22
truncated concentration, 2
variance, 5, 16
volume-weighted diameter, 22

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Online: http://dust.ess.uci.

edu/facts Updated: Mon 10th Jun, 2013, 11:45

Particle Size Distributions:

Department of Earth System Science zender@uci.edu

Copyright c 19982013, Charles S. Zender

2 Statistics of Size Distributions 4

3 Cloud and Aerosol Size Distributions 5

4 Implementation in NCAR models 24

1.1 Modal vs. Sectional Represenatation

1.3 Distribution Function

1.4 Probability Density Function

1.4.1 Choice of Independent Variable

2 Statistics of Size Distributions

2.2 Mean Size

2.4 Standard Deviation

3 Cloud and Aerosol Size Distributions

3.2 Normal Distribution

3.3 Lognormal Distribution

3.3.1 Distribution Function

This maps x (, +) into D [0, ).

The cumulative concentration smaller than D+g , simplifies from (38) to

3.3.2 Lognormal Relations

Symbol Value Units Description Defining Relation

Symbol Value Units Description Defining Relation

Patterson and Gillette (1977) 6

Alfaro et al. (1998) 10

Table 3: Analytic Lognormal Size Distribution Statistics ab

a v = 0.1, 2.5, 3.5, 5.0, 10.0 m.

Note that (29) is only normalized if N0 = 1.0 (cf. Section 3.4.2).

Multiplying each side of (30) by D and substituting d ln D = D1 dD leads to

3.3.5 Non-standard terminology

3.3.6 Bounded Distribution

3.3.7 Statistics of Bounded Distributions

n , g , and N0 are defined

3.3.8 Overlapping Distributions

Using (39) and (46) we find

3.3.9 Median Diameter

3.3.10 Mode Diameter

3.3.11 Multimodal Distributions

n , and we can move the unknown D

The surface-weighted diameter Ds is defined analogously to Dv . Ds is more often known by

Moment-weighted diameters, such as the volume-weighted diameter Dv (63), characterize dis-

3.4.1 Aspherical Particles

where Cn is the normalization constant determined by (7). First we change variables to y =

Next we change variables to z = y/ ln g

4 Implementation in NCAR models

4.1 NCAR-Dust Model

4.2.1 Input switches

mie -dbg -no_mie --psd_typ=lognormal --sz_grd=log --sz_mnm=0.01 \

4.2.2 Moments of Size Distribution

2. Select the statistics of interest

4.2.3 Generating Properties for Multi-Bin

/dst/psd.pl --dbg=1 --CCM_SW --ftn_fxd --psd_nbr=4 --spc_idx_sng={01,02,03,

This is a special case of a more general result

5.2 Error Function

5.3 Command Line Switches for mie Code

Switch Purpose Default Units

Switch Purpose Default Units

--asp rat lps dfl Ellipsoidal aspect ratio 1.0 Fraction

Switch Purpose Default Units

--dns mdm Density of medium 0.0 kg m3

--dsd dbg mcr Debugging size for raindrops 1000.0 m

Switch Purpose Default Units