Spectral dependence of aerosol light absorption at an urban and a remote site over the Tibetan Plateau.

We present a study of aerosol light absorption by using a 7-wavelength Aethalometer model AE33 at an urban site (Lhasa) and a remote site (Lulang) in the Tibetan Plateau. Approximately 5 times greater aerosol absorption values were observed at Lhasa (53±46Mm at 370nm and 20±18Mm at 950nm, respectively) in comparison to Lulang (15±19Mm at 370nm and 4±5Mm at 950nm, respectively). Black carbon (BC) was the dominant light absorbing aerosol component at all wavelengths.