Optical Characterization of Natural and Anthropogenic Aerosols Using ChAMBRe Experiments & Field Campaigns

This thesis investigates the optical and physicochemical properties of natural and anthropogenic aerosols through laboratory experiments and field campaigns. Controlled chamber studies were performed in the ChAMBRe facility to evaluate the effects of dilution, particle size distribution, and aging processes on aerosol optical properties using instruments including SMPS, OPS, AE33, MWAA, BLAnCA, and PAX. In addition, field measurements conducted in Multedo (Italy) and Lahore (Pakistan) were used to characterise carbonaceous aerosols, PM₂.₅ concentrations, and source-related variability under different environmental conditions. The results demonstrate the influence of particle composition, size distribution, and atmospheric processing on aerosol absorption and scattering properties. The combined laboratory and field approach improves the understanding of aerosol behaviour and provides valuable information for air quality assessment, climate studies, and atmospheric modelling.