Variation of Aerosol Properties Based on Satellite Data Over the Study Area of Lhaaso

Atmospheric aerosols play a crucial role in modulating Earth’s radiation balance and climate systems, yet they remain a major source of uncertainty in climate modeling. This study aims to characterize aerosol dynamics over the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO; 29.36° N, 100.14° E; ~4,410 m above sea level) region by analyzing satellite-based measurements of Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), Aerosol Index (AI), Single Scattering Albedo (SSA), and Extinction Coefficient (EC) from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Sentinel-5P, CALIPSO, OMI, and MERRA-2 Reanalysis for the period 2017–2023. The mean AOD peaked at 0.24 ± 0.02, primarily due to long-range dust transport from the Taklamakan and Gobi deserts. The AI varied between 0.68 and 1.26 (standard deviation SD = 0.31 ± 0.26), indicating moderate to significant aerosol activity, particularly during dust events. Aerosol mass concentration (MC) ranged from 4.14 to 31.07 µg/m³ with a SD of 0.67 ± 8.14, reflecting influences from dust transport, meteorological conditions, and local emissions. The EC generally decreased with altitude, consistent with reduced aerosol concentrations and particle sizes. These findings advance our understanding of aerosol behavior in complex terrain and provide essential perspectives for improving climate projections and radiative forcing assessments.