In addition, during days near the peak of the burning period, the PAR/K↓ ratio tended to be lower in the morning period and higher in the afternoon for a given zenith angle. This can be accounted for by an increase in the dispersion of aerosols associated with an increase in the ventilation factor throughout the day. During the morning hours, when windspeeds
are low, resulting in a stable atmosphere and a shallow mixed layer, aerosol dispersion is inhibited, increasing
the turbidity. Thus, the effect of pyrogenic aerosols on the PAR/K↓ ratio would also tend to be greater. During the afternoon, intense surface heating increases surface turbulence and convective activity in the boundary layer. This results in an increase in the ventilation factor as both windspeed and the depth of the mixed layer become greater. The dispersion
of aerosols becomes greater and leads to an overall decrease in turbidity. Such linkages to and implications of regional airflow remain a topic for further study.