Atmospheric Aerosol Optical Characterization Using the AERONET Analyzer Tool

This study introduces the AERONET Analyzer Tool (AAT), a specialized Python-based suite designed to streamline aerosol research via the AERONET network. The software facilitates the download, data cleaning, and processing of photometric datasets. Key functionalities include the generation of variable climatologies and the application of diverse aerosol classification frameworks based on established literature. To demonstrate the performance and practical utility of the newly developed software, an interannual study of aerosol optical properties was carried out at the San Miguel de Tucumán station (Tucuman_UNT, Argentina). This investigation, spanning the period from 2023 to 2025, provides a detailed look into the regional atmospheric conditions. Through this software, the Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD₄₄₀) and the Ångström Exponent (AE_440-870) can be evaluated for aerosol classification using thresholds defined by different authors, enabling the user to select the framework best suited to their region. As a practical application of some of the software's functionalities, an interannual climatological characterization of aerosol optical properties was conducted at the cited station during the 2023–2025 period. Using the AAT, seasonal variations of the AOD₄₄₀ and the AE_440-870 were assessed, revealing a marked seasonality conditioned by the local piedmont topography.