The CDROM contains a global aerosol climatology, together with a documentation (section 2) and a publication related to the climatology. The climatology is based on the combination of a model median (AEROCOM) with Aeronet ground based data. For details, see the report force.doc (ore force.pdf) and the publication acpd-2005-0175.pdf. The climatology has been prepared within the scope of a work contract for DWD,CM SAF. --- The climatology is provided in the following files: gomtomeda2 aot, Aerosol optical depth at 550 nm gamtomeda2 angstrom parameter (870-440nm) gwmtomeda2 single-scattering-albedo at 550 nm each with monthly values in a 1x1 degree resolution. ----The file format is: 1st line - header subsequent one line with: 12 , longitude, latitude 12 lines with: month, value repeating for all longitudes and latitudes one line with: 12 , longitude, latitude 12 lines with: month, value and so on. --------------------------------------------- If the asymmetry-parameter is needed it can be derived from the Angstrom parameter using the following formula: in the vis (550nm): g = 0.679E+00 -0.272E-01*ang If you have any questions on the data please do not hesitate to contact Stefan Kinne at MPI-Hamburg. Stefan Kinne has also processed global aerosol forcing quantities. If you are interested in getting these data, please contact Stefan Kinne. Stefan Kinne: Max-Planck-Institute for Meteorology Bundesstr. 53 20146 Hamburg Germany Tel: +49 (0)40 41173383 e-mail: kinne@dkrz.de !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! COPYRIGHT, DATA POLICY The climatology has been prepared within the scope of a work contract for DWD,CM SAF. The Aerosol climatology is essential data in terms of the WMO resolution of 1995 (item 1). Consequently, the usage is free and unrestricted, with the only exception given below. To maintain the integrity of the database and fairness to the individuals who have contributed, use of these data for publication requires contacting Stefan Kinne and the Acknowledgment of AERONET and AEROCOM. Stefan Kinne will assist in upcoming issues and questions arising from the use of the data. AEROCOM web page - http://nansen.ipsl.jussieu.fr/AEROCOM/ AERONET web page - http://aeronet.gsfc.nasa.gov/ DISCLAIMER For documents and software available from this server, the DWD does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11