Search

The objective of this study was to calculate effective complex refractive indices for ambient aerosol samples. Seven ambient aerosol samples were taken in the winter months of November and December 2014 in the city of Vlora, Albania. Collected samples were investigated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The complex refractive indices of an aerosol mixture were estimated by applying the volume averaging mixing rule. The volume fraction for nine groups categorized from morphology and elemental composition of individual particles (fly ash and soil particles, soot and biogenic particles, calcium-rich compounds, silicon-rich and iron-rich particles, sea salt, and mixed particles) were used. The real components (n) of refractive indices varied from 1.55 to 1.60, and imaginary components (k) varied from 0.016 to 0.032. Average complex refractive indices of aerosol samples were m = 1.57–0.02 i. The imaginary part obtained was higher in the samples with higher percentages of soot particles and similar to values reported by other studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]