This paper presents the light-scattering properties of atmospheric aerosol particles
measured over the past decade at 28 ACTRIS observatories, which are located mainly in
Europe. The data include particle light scattering (σ sp) and hemispheric backscattering (σ
bsp) coefficients, scattering Ångström exponent (SAE), backscatter fraction (BF) and
asymmetry parameter (g). An increasing gradient of σ sp is observed when moving from
remote environments (arctic/mountain) to regional and to urban environments. At a regional …

This investigation presents the variability of near-surface in-situ aerosol particle light
scattering measurements obtained over the past decade at 28 measuring atmospheric
observatories which are part of the ACTRIS Research Infrastructure and most of them
belong to the GAW network. This manuscript provides a comprehensive picture of the spatial
and temporal variability of aerosol particles optical properties in Europe.