A fast radiative transfer model for simulating high-resolution absorption bands

Abstract The Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM) developed at the Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation (JCSDA) is used in conjunction with a daily sea surface temperature (SST) and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Global Forecast System (GFS) atmospheric data and surface wind to calculate clear-sky top-of-atmosphere (TOA) brightness temperatures (BTs) in three Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) thermal infrared channels over global oceans. CRTM calculations are routinely performed by the sea surface temperature team for four AVHRR instruments on board the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellites NOAA-16, NOAA-17, and NOAA-18 and the Meteorological Operation (MetOp) satellite MetOp-A, and they are compared with clear-sky TOA BTs produced by the operational AVHRR Clear-Sky Processor for Oceans (ACSPO). It was observed that the model minus observation (M−O) bias in the NOAA-16 AVHRR channel 3b (Ch3b) centered at 3.7 μm experienced a discontinuity of ∼0.3 K when a new CRTM version 1.1 (v.1.1) was implemented in ACSPO processing in September 2008. No anomalies occurred in any other AVHRR channel or for any other platform. This study shows that this discontinuity is caused by the out-of-band response in NOAA-16 AVHRR Ch3b and by using a single layer to the NCEP GFS temperature profiles above 10 hPa for the alpha version of CRTM. The problem has been solved in CRTM v.1.1, which uses one of the six standard atmospheres to fill in the missing data above the top pressure level in the input NCEP GFS data. It is found that, because of the out-of-band response, the NOAA-16 AVHRR Ch3b has sensitivity to atmospheric temperature at high altitudes. This analysis also helped to resolve another anomaly in the absorption bands of the High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS) sensor, whose radiances and Jacobians were affected to a much greater extent by this CRTM inconsistency.

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Fast Hyper-Spectral Radiative Transfer Model Based on the Double Cluster Low-Streams Regression Method

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs13030434 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 434

Author(s):

Ana del Águila ◽

Dmitry S. Efremenko

Keyword(s):

Radiative Transfer ◽

Single Scattering ◽

Atmospheric Composition ◽

Radiative Transfer Model ◽

Transfer Model ◽

Absorption Bands ◽

Acceleration Techniques ◽

Scattering Approximation ◽

Fine Resolution ◽

Single Scattering Approximation

Fast radiative transfer models (RTMs) are required to process a great amount of satellite-based atmospheric composition data. Specifically designed acceleration techniques can be incorporated in RTMs to simulate the reflected radiances with a fine spectral resolution, avoiding time-consuming computations on a fine resolution grid. In particular, in the cluster low-streams regression (CLSR) method, the computations on a fine resolution grid are performed by using the fast two-stream RTM, and then the spectra are corrected by using regression models between the two-stream and multi-stream RTMs. The performance enhancement due to such a scheme can be of about two orders of magnitude. In this paper, we consider a modification of the CLSR method (which is referred to as the double CLSR method), in which the single-scattering approximation is used for the computations on a fine resolution grid, while the two-stream spectra are computed by using the regression model between the two-stream RTM and the single-scattering approximation. Once the two-stream spectra are known, the CLSR method is applied the second time to restore the multi-stream spectra. Through a numerical analysis, it is shown that the double CLSR method yields an acceleration factor of about three orders of magnitude as compared to the reference multi-stream fine-resolution computations. The error of such an approach is below 0.05%. In addition, it is analysed how the CLSR method can be adopted for efficient computations for atmospheric scenarios containing aerosols. In particular, it is discussed how the precomputed data for clear sky conditions can be reused for computing the aerosol spectra in the framework of the CLSR method. The simulations are performed for the Hartley–Huggins, O2 A-, water vapour and CO2 weak absorption bands and five aerosol models from the optical properties of aerosols and clouds (OPAC) database.

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High resolution and Monte Carlo additions to the SASKTRAN radiative transfer model

Atmospheric Measurement Techniques Discussions ◽

10.5194/amtd-8-3357-2015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 3357-3397 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

D. J. Zawada ◽

S. R. Dueck ◽

L. A. Rieger ◽

A. E. Bourassa ◽

N. D. Lloyd ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Monte Carlo ◽

High Resolution ◽

Radiative Transfer ◽

Spatial Resolution ◽

High Spatial Resolution ◽

Reference Model ◽

Monte Carlo Model ◽

Radiative Transfer Model ◽

Transfer Model ◽

Systematic Bias

Abstract. The OSIRIS instrument on board the Odin spacecraft has been measuring limb scattered radiance since 2001. The vertical radiance profiles measured as the instrument nods are inverted, with the aid of the SASKTRAN radiative transfer model, to obtain vertical profiles of trace atmospheric constituents. Here we describe two newly developed modes of the SASKTRAN radiative transfer model: a high spatial resolution mode, and a Monte Carlo mode. The high spatial resolution mode is a successive orders model capable of modelling the multiply scattered radiance when the atmosphere is not spherically symmetric; the Monte Carlo mode is intended for use as a highly accurate reference model. It is shown that the two models agree in a wide variety of solar conditions to within 0.2%. As an example case for both models, Odin-OSIRIS scans were simulated with the Monte Carlo model and retrieved using the high resolution model. A systematic bias of up to 4% in retrieved ozone number density between scans where the instrument is scanning up or scanning down was identified. It was found that calculating the multiply scattered diffuse field at five discrete solar zenith angles is sufficient to eliminate the bias for typical Odin-OSIRIS geometries.

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Using a Parameterization of a Radiative Transfer Model to Build High-Resolution Maps of Typical Clear-Sky UV Index in Catalonia, Spain

Journal of Applied Meteorology ◽

10.1175/jam2237.1 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 44 (6) ◽

pp. 789-803 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Jordi Badosa ◽

Josep-Abel González ◽

Josep Calbó ◽

Michiel van Weele ◽

Richard L. McKenzie

Keyword(s):

High Resolution ◽

Radiative Transfer ◽

Zenith Angle ◽

Solar Zenith Angle ◽

Absolute Error ◽

Single Scattering ◽

Radiative Transfer Model ◽

Transfer Model ◽

Uv Index ◽

Wide Range

Abstract To perform a climatic analysis of the annual UV index (UVI) variations in Catalonia, Spain (northeast of the Iberian Peninsula), a new simple parameterization scheme is presented based on a multilayer radiative transfer model. The parameterization performs fast UVI calculations for a wide range of cloudless and snow-free situations and can be applied anywhere. The following parameters are considered: solar zenith angle, total ozone column, altitude, aerosol optical depth, and single-scattering albedo. A sensitivity analysis is presented to justify this choice with special attention to aerosol information. Comparisons with the base model show good agreement, most of all for the most common cases, giving an absolute error within ±0.2 in the UVI for a wide range of cases considered. Two tests are done to show the performance of the parameterization against UVI measurements. One uses data from a high-quality spectroradiometer from Lauder, New Zealand [45.04°S, 169.684°E, 370 m above mean sea level (MSL)], where there is a low presence of aerosols. The other uses data from a Robertson–Berger-type meter from Girona, Spain (41.97°N, 2.82°E, 100 m MSL), where there is more aerosol load and where it has been possible to study the effect of aerosol information on the model versus measurement comparison. The parameterization is applied to a climatic analysis of the annual UVI variation in Catalonia, showing the contributions of solar zenith angle, ozone, and aerosols. High-resolution seasonal maps of typical UV index values in Catalonia are presented.

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Clear-Sky Mask for the Advanced Clear-Sky Processor for Oceans

Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology ◽

10.1175/2010jtecha1413.1 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 27 (10) ◽

pp. 1609-1623 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

B. Petrenko ◽

A. Ignatov ◽

Y. Kihai ◽

A. Heidinger

Keyword(s):

High Resolution ◽

Radiative Transfer ◽

Weather Prediction ◽

Radiative Transfer Model ◽

Transfer Model ◽

Clear Sky ◽

Brightness Temperatures ◽

Spatial Uniformity ◽

Uniformity Test ◽

Cross Platform

Abstract The Advanced Clear Sky Processor for Oceans (ACSPO) generates clear-sky products, such as SST, clear-sky radiances, and aerosol, from Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR)-like measurements. The ACSPO clear-sky mask (ACSM) identifies clear-sky pixels within the ACSPO products. This paper describes the ACSM structure and compares the performances of ACSM and its predecessor, Clouds from AVHRR Extended Algorithm (CLAVRx). ACSM essentially employs online clear-sky radiative transfer simulations enabled within ACSPO with the Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM) in conjunction with numerical weather prediction atmospheric [Global Forecast System (GFS)] and SST [Reynolds daily high-resolution blended SST (DSST)] fields. The baseline ACSM tests verify the accuracy of fitting observed brightness temperatures with CRTM, check retrieved SST for consistency with Reynolds SST, and identify ambient cloudiness at the boundaries of cloudy systems. Residual cloud effects are screened out with several tests, adopted from CLAVRx, and with the SST spatial uniformity test designed to minimize misclassification of sharp SST gradients as clouds. Cross-platform and temporal consistencies of retrieved SSTs are maintained by accounting for SST and brightness temperature biases, estimated within ACSPO online and independently from ACSM. The performance of ACSM is characterized in terms of statistics of deviations of retrieved SST from the DSST. ACSM increases the amount of “clear” pixels by 30% to 40% and improves statistics of retrieved SST compared with CLAVRx. ACSM is also shown to be capable of producing satisfactory statistics of SST anomalies if the reference SST field for the exact date of observations is unavailable at the time of processing.

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Fast radiative-transfer model based on the correlated k-distribution method for a high-resolution satellite sounder

Applied Optics ◽

10.1364/ao.43.006304 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 43 (34) ◽

pp. 6304 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Yuzo Mano ◽

Hiroshi Ishimoto

Keyword(s):

High Resolution ◽

Radiative Transfer ◽

Radiative Transfer Model ◽

Transfer Model ◽

Distribution Method ◽

Model Based

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Sensitivity of thermal infrared sounders to the chemical and micro-physical properties of UTLS secondary sulphate aerosols

Atmospheric Measurement Techniques Discussions ◽

10.5194/amtd-8-8439-2015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. 8439-8481 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

P. Sellitto ◽

B. Legras

Keyword(s):

Radiative Transfer ◽

Physical Properties ◽

Sulphuric Acid ◽

Thermal Infrared ◽

Radiative Transfer Model ◽

Spectral Signature ◽

Transfer Model ◽

Absorption Bands ◽

Sulphate Aerosols ◽

The Impact

Abstract. Monitoring upper tropospheric-lower stratospheric (UTLS) secondary sulphate aerosols and their chemical and micro-physical properties from satellite nadir observations is crucial to better understand their formation and evolution processes and then to estimate their impact to the UTLS chemistry, and on regional and global radiative balance. Here we present a study aimed at the evaluation of the sensitivity of thermal infrared (TIR) satellite nadir observations to the chemical composition and the size distribution of idealized UTLS sulphate aerosol layers. The extinction properties of sulphuric acid/water droplets, for different sulphuric acid mixing ratios and temperatures, are systematically analysed. The extinction coefficients are derived by means of a Mie code, using refractive indexes taken from the GEISA (Gestion et Étude des Informations Spectroscopiques Atmosphériques: Management and Study of Spectroscopic Information) spectroscopic database and log-normal size distributions with different effective radii and number concentrations. IASI (Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer) pseudo-observations are generated using forward radiative transfer calculations performed with the 4A (Automatized Atmospheric Absorption Atlas) radiative transfer model, to estimate the impact of the extinction of idealized aerosol layers, at typical UTLS conditions, on the brightness temperature spectra observed by this satellite instrument. We found a marked and typical spectral signature of these aerosol layers between 700 and 1200 cm−1, due to the absorption bands of the sulphate and bi-sulphate ions and the undissociated sulphuric acid, with the main absorption peaks at 1170 and 905 cm−1. The dependence of the aerosol spectral signature to the sulphuric acid mixing ratio, and effective number concentration and radius, as well as the role of interferring parameters like the ozone, sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and ash absorption, and temperature and water vapour profile uncertainties, are analyzed and critically discussed.

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On the Climatic Impact of CO2Ice Particles in Atmospheres of Terrestrial Exoplanets

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s1743921313013045 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 8 (S293) ◽

pp. 303-308

Author(s):

D. Kitzmann ◽

A. B. C. Patzer ◽

H. Rauer

Keyword(s):

Radiative Transfer ◽

Thermal Radiation ◽

Greenhouse Effect ◽

Outer Boundary ◽

Radiative Transfer Model ◽

Transfer Model ◽

Climatic Impact ◽

Absorption Bands ◽

Ice Particles ◽

Stellar Radiation

AbstractClouds play a significant role for the energy budget in planetary atmospheres. They can scatter incident stellar radiation back to space, effectively cooling the surface of terrestrial planets. On the other hand, they may contribute to the atmospheric greenhouse effect by trapping outgoing thermal radiation. For exoplanets near the outer boundary of the habitable zone, condensation of CO2can occur due to the low atmospheric temperatures. These CO2ice clouds may play an important role for the surface temperature and, therefore, for the question of habitability of those planets. However, the optical properties of CO2ice crystals differ significantly from those of water droplets or water ice particles. Except for a small number of strong absorption bands, they are almost transparent with respect to absorption. Instead, they are highly effective scatterers at long and short wavelengths. Therefore, the climatic effect of a CO2ice cloud will depend on how much incident stellar radiation is scattered to space in comparison to the amount of thermal radiation scattered back towards the planetary surface. This contribution aims at the potential greenhouse effect of CO2ice particles. Their scattering and absorption properties are calculated for assumed particle size distributions with different effective radii and particle densities. An accurate radiative transfer model is used to determine the atmospheric radiation field affected by such CO2particles. These results are compared to less detailed radiative transfer schemes employed in previous studies.

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A fast radiative transfer model for the assimilation of water vapor radiances from the Kalpana very high resolution radiometer

Geophysical Research Letters ◽

10.1029/2009gl037852 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 36 (8) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Randhir Singh ◽

Peter Rayer ◽

Roger Saunders ◽

Stefano Migliorini ◽

Roger Brugge ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Vapor ◽

High Resolution ◽

Radiative Transfer ◽

Radiative Transfer Model ◽

Transfer Model ◽

Very High

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High-resolution and Monte Carlo additions to the SASKTRAN radiative transfer model

Atmospheric Measurement Techniques ◽

10.5194/amt-8-2609-2015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. 2609-2623 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

D. J. Zawada ◽

S. R. Dueck ◽

L. A. Rieger ◽

A. E. Bourassa ◽

N. D. Lloyd ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Monte Carlo ◽

High Resolution ◽

Radiative Transfer ◽

Spatial Resolution ◽

High Spatial Resolution ◽

Imaging System ◽

Monte Carlo Model ◽

Radiative Transfer Model ◽

Transfer Model ◽

Systematic Bias

Abstract. The Optical Spectrograph and InfraRed Imaging System (OSIRIS) instrument on board the Odin spacecraft has been measuring limb-scattered radiance since 2001. The vertical radiance profiles measured as the instrument nods are inverted, with the aid of the SASKTRAN radiative transfer model, to obtain vertical profiles of trace atmospheric constituents. Here we describe two newly developed modes of the SASKTRAN radiative transfer model: a high-spatial-resolution mode and a Monte Carlo mode. The high-spatial-resolution mode is a successive-orders model capable of modelling the multiply scattered radiance when the atmosphere is not spherically symmetric; the Monte Carlo mode is intended for use as a highly accurate reference model. It is shown that the two models agree in a wide variety of solar conditions to within 0.2 %. As an example case for both models, Odin–OSIRIS scans were simulated with the Monte Carlo model and retrieved using the high-resolution model. A systematic bias of up to 4 % in retrieved ozone number density between scans where the instrument is scanning up or scanning down was identified. The bias is largest when the sun is near the horizon and the solar scattering angle is far from 90°. It was found that calculating the multiply scattered diffuse field at five discrete solar zenith angles is sufficient to eliminate the bias for typical Odin–OSIRIS geometries.

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