AEROSOL CHARACTERISTICS OVER COASTAL REGIONS OF THE ARABIAN SEA

From aerosol spectral optical depths (tau(p lambda)) at 10 wavelengths in the range 380 to 1025 nm estimated at different locations in the n ear and far coastal regions of the Arabian sea adjoining the western c oast of central India, the spatial and spectral characteristics of coa stal aerosols and the effect of the proximity to the (urban) continent are investigated. The Angstrom parameters are deduced from tau(p lamb da) values. A significant increase, both in aerosol optical depths at shorter (visible) wavelengths (lambda less than or equal to 600 nm) an d the Angstrom wavelength exponent are observed in the near coastal re gions, suggesting an increase in the (relative) concentration of sub m icron particles, apparently of anthropogenic origin. The Angstrom turb idity coefficient remains nearly steady spatially, indicating a (spati ally) uniform loading of large particles.