Large synthesis of in situ field measurements of the size distribution of mineral dust aerosols across their lifecycle-MRT

Collection of particle size distribution of atmospheric mineral dust particles representative of mid−range transport conditions (MRT, 1−4 days after emission; number of datasets N=36). Data are reported as volume size distributions (dV/dlogD) versus geometrical diameter. The name of each dataset indicate the original reference publication, sometimes with indication of a specific technique. Level−1 (LEV1) data are obtained by interpolating raw data (LEV0) over a common size range of equi−logarithmically spaced diameters (dlogD = 0.05) encompassing the original diameter range for each dataset. Level-2a (LEV2a) data, based on LEV1, harmonize the size distributions by converting the operational original particle diameters, which depend on the physical principle of each instrument, into a common–defined sphere−equivalent geometric diameter. Level−2b (LEV2b), based on LEV1, harmonize the size distributions by converting the operational original particle diameters into a common–defined geometrical diameter by taking into account that mineral dust is aspherical. Each dataset is normalized so that the integral is equal to 1 over a common diameter range. The diameter range for integral normalization was set to be the largest as possible and to be covered by more than 90% of the datasets in each category. For MRT data this common range for integral normalization is 0.71 and 8.9 µm. Statistical metrics (mean, median, 25% and 75% percentiles, and standard deviation) are provided. Full details are provided in Formenti and Di Biagio (2024) (main manuscript and supplementary information).