Unveiling Trends in Aerosol Mass Extinction Efficiency (MEE): Insights from Seven-Month Continuous Near-Ground Lidar and PM2.5 Observations in Chiba, Japan

^(a) Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395 Japan
^(b) Faculty of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522 Japan
^(c) Center for Environmental Remote Sensing, Chiba University, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan
^(d) Solar-Terrestrial Environment Laboratory, Nagoya University, Nagoya, 456-0000, Japan
^(e) Graduate School of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Science, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, 853-0000, Japan
^(f) Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Ibaraki, 319-1194, Japan This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published online: 9 April 2026

Abstract

Continuous near-ground lidar measurements of aerosols and dust were conducted at Chiba University, Japan, from August 2021 to February 2022, as part of preparations for monitoring radioactive dust in Fukushima. The mass extinction efficiency (MEE) of near-ground aerosols exhibited a wide range of values between 0 to 2.5 m²g^-1. MEE values were primarily between 0 and 1 m²g^-1, while aerosols with MEE exceeding 1 m²g^-1 were observed primarily in winter. Diurnal variations in MEE were also observed, with peak values generally occurring at noontime. Monthly mean MEE values ranged from 0.2611 m²g^-1 to 0.5397 m²g^-1. These MEE values are crucial for understanding the scattering properties of aerosols in Chiba, and they provide valuable insights for evaluating the scattering properties of radioactive aerosols in Fukushima using similar techniques.