Comparison between atmospheric turbidity coefficients of desert and temperate climates

A summary of factors affecting the atmospheric turbidity is given. Data on aerosol optical depth and atmospheric turbidity coefficients (i.e., the Linke factor, T, and Ångström coefficient, β) calculated from measurements of broad band filters at Dhahran (Saudi Arabia), desert climate, are reported. A linear regression model fitted to β versus T for Dhahran is similar to the models reported for Avignon (France) and Potsdam (Germany), temperate climate. The coefficients of Dhahran model are different from the approximately equal coefficients of Avignon and Potsdam models. The variation in the monthly average values of β and T at Dhahran is of similar trend to that of Avignon and Potsdam. However, Dhahran has shown higher values of atmospheric turbidity coefficients than Avignon and Potsdam due to the effect of the former's desert climate.