Ground-based off-line aerosol measurements at Praia, Cape Verde, during the Saharan Mineral Dust Experiment: microphysical properties and mineralogy

A large field experiment of the Saharan Mineral Dust Experiment (SAMUM) was performed in Praia, Cape Verde, in January and February 2008. This work reports on the aerosol mass concentrations, size distributions and mineralogical composition of the aerosol arriving at Praia. Three dust periods were recorded during the measurements, divided by transitional periods and embedded in maritime-influenced situations. The total suspended particle mass/PM 10 /PM 2.5 were 250/180/74 μg/m 3 on average for the first dust period (17–21 January) and 250/230/83 μg/m 3 for the second (24–26 January). The third period (28 January to 2 February) was the most intensive with 410/340/130 μg/m 3 . Four modes were…