Influence of continents on spatial distribution of aerosol characteristics in the southern part of the World Ocean

Based on multiyear studies in the Russian Antarctic Expeditions (51st-62nd RAE), we discuss the specific features of the spatial distribution of atmospheric aerosol characteristics (aerosol optical depth and aerosol and black carbon concentrations) in the southern part of the World Ocean. It is shown that, with the growing separation (up to 170- 350 km) from Africa in the southern direction, a general regularity is a factor of 1.3-4.2 decrease in the average aerosol characteristics. At higher latitudes (40-55°S), the aerosol characteristics saturate to a quasi-constant level, followed by a decrease in the average values toward Antarctic coasts.