scholarly journals Evaluation of the Spatial and Temporal Uncertainties Distribution of Daily-Integrated Shortwave Downward Radiation Estimated from Polar-Orbiting Satellite Observation

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (10) ◽  
pp. 1481-1491
Author(s):  
Yang Liu ◽  
Ronggao Liu
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
Satellite Observation ◽  
Shortwave Radiation ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Wide Field Of View ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ◽  
Polar Orbiting Satellite ◽  
Downward Radiation

Abstract The polar-orbiting satellite sensor, which can observe the entire Earth’s surface with good spatial and spectral resolution, is a potential tool for estimation of global downward shortwave radiation (DSR). However, it can only provide a couple of snapshots in one day, which should be extended to daily-integrated DSR in order to drive the ecosystem models. In this paper, the temporal and spatial uncertainties for estimating of daily-integrated DSR from instantaneous measurements of polar-orbiting satellites are evaluated using geostationary Geosynchronous Meteorological Satellite-5 (GMS-5) observations over East Asia. Those overpass times—including 1030, 1200, and 1330 local time (LT), which correspond to Terra/Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-View Sensor (SeaWiFS), and Aqua/MODIS—are evaluated. The combinations of multiobservations are also assessed. The results show that the daily-integrated DSR from polar-orbiting satellite observations of 1030, 1200, and 1330 underestimate solar radiation by 2.16% (0.46 MJ m−2), 5.44% (1.16 MJ m−2), and 5.54% (1.09 MJ m−2), with an RMSE of 2.05 MJ m−2 (12.92%), 2.50 MJ m−2 (13.33%), and 2.34 MJ m−2 (13.95%) in East Asia with large spatial and seasonal variations. In general, the bias is higher in the southern than in the northern part of East Asia. It is low in January, February, and March, then increases from April and reaches the maximum in June and July, and decreases rapidly to lower than 1.0 MJ m−2 in October. The uncertainties of daily-integrated DSR could be reduced by averaging multiday observations or combining of multitime observations. These uncertainties’ distributions are important for evaluation the usability of daily-integrated DSR from polar-orbiting satellite data and probably can be used for its calibration.

scholarly journals AOD trends during 2001–2010 from observations and model simulations

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 5521-5535 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Pozzer ◽  
A. de Meij ◽  
J. Yoon ◽  
H. Tost ◽  
A. K. Georgoulias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
East Region ◽  
Wide Field Of View ◽  
The Us ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ◽  
Middle East Region ◽  
Soluble Components

Abstract. The aerosol optical depth (AOD) trend between 2001 and 2010 is estimated globally and regionally from observations and results from simulations with the EMAC (ECHAM5/MESSy Atmospheric Chemistry) model. Although interannual variability is applied only to anthropogenic and biomass-burning emissions, the model is able to quantitatively reproduce the AOD trends as observed by the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) satellite sensor, while some discrepancies are found when compared to MISR (Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer) and SeaWIFS (Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor) observations. Thanks to an additional simulation without any change in emissions, it is shown that decreasing AOD trends over the US and Europe are due to the decrease in the emissions, while over the Sahara Desert and the Middle East region, the meteorological changes play a major role. Over Southeast Asia, both meteorology and emissions changes are equally important in defining AOD trends. Additionally, decomposing the regional AOD trends into individual aerosol components reveals that the soluble components are the most dominant contributors to the total AOD, as their influence on the total AOD is enhanced by the aerosol water content.

scholarly journals Global and regional evaluation of over-land spectral aerosol optical depth retrievals from SeaWiFS

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 2169-2220 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Sayer ◽  
N. C. Hsu ◽  
C. Bettenhausen ◽  
M.-J. Jeong ◽  
B. N. Holben ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Aerosol Optical Depth ◽  
Optical Depth ◽  
Field Of View ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Imaging Spectrometer ◽  
Wide Field Of View ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Multiangle Imaging

Abstract. This study evaluates a new spectral aerosol optical depth (AOD) dataset derived from Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) measurements over land. First, the data are validated against Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) direct-sun AOD measurements, and found to compare well on a global basis. If only data with the highest quality flag are used, the correlation is 0.86 and 72% of matchups fall within an expected absolute uncertainty of 0.05 + 20% (for the wavelength of 550 nm). The quality is similar at other wavelengths and stable over the 13-yr (1997–2010) mission length. Performance tends to be better over vegetated, low-lying terrain with typical AOD of 0.3 or less, such as found over much of North America and Eurasia. Performance tends to be poorer for low-AOD conditions near backscattering geometries, where SeaWiFS overestimates AOD, or optically-thick cases of absorbing aerosol, where SeaWiFS tends to underestimate AOD. Second, the SeaWiFS data are compared with midvisible AOD derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) and Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR). All instruments show similar spatial and seasonal distributions of AOD, although there are regional and seasonal offsets between them. At locations where AERONET data are available, these offsets are largely consistent with the known validation characteristics of each dataset. With the results of this study in mind, the SeaWiFS over-land AOD record is suitable for quantitative scientific use.

scholarly journals A new transport mechanism of biomass burning from Indochina as identified by modeling studies

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (20) ◽  
pp. 7901-7911 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.-Y. Lin ◽  
H.-m. Hsu ◽  
Y. H. Lee ◽  
C. H. Kuo ◽  
Y.-F. Sheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
Biomass Burning ◽  
Transport Mechanism ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Indochina Peninsula ◽  
Active Fire ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Simulation Results ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer

Abstract. Biomass burning in the Indochina Peninsula (Indochina) is one of the important ozone sources in the low troposphere over East Asia in springtime. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data show that 20 000 or more active fire detections occurred annually in spring only from 2000 to 2007. In our tracer modeling study, we identify a new mechanism transporting the tracer over Indochina that is significantly different from the vertical transport mechanism over the equatorial areas such as Indonesia and Malaysia. Simulation results demonstrate that the leeside troughs over Indochina play a dominant role in the uplift of the tracer below 3 km, and that the strong westerlies prevailing above 3 km transport the tracer. These fundamental mechanisms have a major impact on the air quality downwind from Indochina over East Asia. The climatological importance of such a leeside trough is also discussed.

scholarly journals Global and regional evaluation of over-land spectral aerosol optical depth retrievals from SeaWiFS

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. 1761-1778 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Sayer ◽  
N. C. Hsu ◽  
C. Bettenhausen ◽  
M.-J. Jeong ◽  
B. N. Holben ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Aerosol Optical Depth ◽  
Optical Depth ◽  
Field Of View ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Imaging Spectrometer ◽  
Wide Field Of View ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Multiangle Imaging

Abstract. This study evaluates a new spectral aerosol optical depth (AOD) dataset derived from Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) measurements over land. First, the data are validated against Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) direct-sun AOD measurements and found to compare well on a global basis. If only data with the highest quality flag are used, the correlation is 0.86 and 72% of matchups fall within an expected absolute uncertainty of 0.05 + 20% (for the wavelength of 550 nm). The quality is similar at other wavelengths and stable over the 13-yr (1997–2010) mission length. Performance tends to be better over vegetated, low-lying terrain with typical AOD of 0.3 or less, such as found over much of North America and Eurasia. Performance tends to be poorer for low-AOD conditions near backscattering geometries, where SeaWiFS overestimates AOD, or optically-thick cases of absorbing aerosol, where SeaWiFS tends to underestimate AOD. Second, the SeaWiFS data are compared with midvisible AOD derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) and Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR). All instruments show similar spatial and seasonal distributions of AOD, although there are regional and seasonal offsets between them. At locations where AERONET data are available, these offsets are largely consistent with the known validation characteristics of each dataset. With the results of this study in mind, the SeaWiFS over-land AOD record is suitable for quantitative scientific use.

scholarly journals Calibration of global MODIS cloud amount using CALIOP cloud profiles

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrzej Z. Kotarba
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Amount ◽  
Satellite Observation ◽  
Cloud Fraction ◽  
Orthogonal Polarization ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Cloud Detection ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ◽  
Cloud Mask

Abstract. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) cloud detection procedure classifies instantaneous fields of view (IFOV) as either confident cloudy, probably cloudy, probably clear, or confident clear. The cloud amount calculation requires quantitative cloud fractions to be assigned to these classes. The operational procedure used by NASA assumes that confident clear and probably clear IFOV are cloud-free (cloud fraction 0 %), while the remaining categories are completely filled with clouds (cloud fraction 100 %). This study demonstrates that this best guess approach is unreliable, especially on a regional/ local scale. We use data from the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) instrument flown on the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) mission, collocated with MODIS/ Aqua IFOV. Based on 33,793,648 paired observations acquired in January and July 2015, we conclude that actual cloud fractions to be associated with MODIS cloud mask categories are 21.5 %, 27.7 %, 66.6 %, and 94.7 %. Spatial variability is significant, even within a single MODIS algorithm path, and the operational approach introduces uncertainties of up to 30 % of cloud amount, notably in the polar regions at night, and in selected locations over the northern hemisphere. Applications of MODIS data at ~10 degrees resolution (or finer) should first assess the extent of the error. Uncertainties were related to the efficiency of the cloud masking algorithm. Until the algorithm can be significantly modified, our method is a robust way to calibrate (correct) MODIS estimates. It can be also used for MODIS/ Terra data, and other missions where the footprint is collocated with CALIPSO.

scholarly journals Evaluation of VIIRS, GOCI, and MODIS Collection 6 AOD retrievals against ground sunphotometer observations over East Asia

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 1255-1269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. Xiao ◽  
H. Zhang ◽  
M. Choi ◽  
S. Li ◽  
S. Kondragunta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
East Asia ◽  
Infrared Imaging ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Urban Centers ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ◽  
Terra Modis

Abstract. Persistent high aerosol loadings together with extremely high population densities have raised serious air quality and public health concerns in many urban centers in East Asia. However, ground-based air quality monitoring is relatively limited in this area. Recently, satellite-retrieved Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) at high resolution has become a powerful tool to characterize aerosol patterns in space and time. Using ground AOD observations from the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) and the Distributed Regional Aerosol Gridded Observation Networks (DRAGON)-Asia Campaign, as well as from handheld sunphotometers, we evaluated emerging aerosol products from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) aboard the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (S-NPP), the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) aboard the Communication, Ocean, and Meteorology Satellite (COMS), and Terra and Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) (Collection 6) in East Asia in 2012 and 2013. In the case study in Beijing, when compared with AOD observations from handheld sunphotometers, 51 % of VIIRS Environmental Data Record (EDR) AOD, 37 % of GOCI AOD, 33 % of VIIRS Intermediate Product (IP) AOD, 26 % of Terra MODIS C6 3 km AOD, and 16 % of Aqua MODIS C6 3 km AOD fell within the reference expected error (EE) envelope (±0.05 ± 0.15 AOD). Comparing against AERONET AOD over the Japan–South Korea region, 64 % of EDR, 37 % of IP, 61 % of GOCI, 39 % of Terra MODIS, and 56 % of Aqua MODIS C6 3 km AOD fell within the EE. In general, satellite aerosol products performed better in tracking the day-to-day variability than tracking the spatial variability at high resolutions. The VIIRS EDR and GOCI products provided the most accurate AOD retrievals, while VIIRS IP and MODIS C6 3 km products had positive biases.

scholarly journals Correcting for trace gas absorption when retrieving aerosol optical depth from satellite observations of reflected shortwave radiation

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Falguni Patadia ◽  
Robert Levy ◽  
Shana Mattoo
Keyword(s):  
Aerosol Optical Depth ◽  
Optical Depth ◽  
Infrared Imaging ◽  
Gas Absorption ◽  
Shortwave Radiation ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer

Abstract. Retrieving aerosol optical depth (AOD) from top-of-atmosphere (TOA) satellite-measured radiance requires separating the aerosol signal from the total observed signal. Total TOA radiance includes signal from underlying surface and from atmospheric constituents such as aerosols, clouds and gases. Multispectral retrieval algorithms, such as the dark-target (DT) algorithm that operates upon Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS, onboard Terra and Aqua satellites) and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS, onboard Suomi-NPP) sensors, use wavelength bands in “window” regions. However, while small, the gas absorptions in these bands are non-negligible and require correction. In this paper we use High-resolution TRANsmission (HITRAN) database and Line-by-Line Radiative Transfer Model (LBLRTM) to derive consistent gas corrections for both MODIS and VIIRS wavelength bands. Absorptions from H2O, CO2 and O3 are considered, as well as other trace gases. Even though MODIS and VIIRS bands are “similar”, they are different enough that applying MODIS specific gas corrections to VIIRS observations results in an underestimate of global mean AOD (by 0.01), but with much larger regional AOD biases up to 0.07. As recent studies are attempting to create a long-term data record by joining multiple satellite datasets, including MODIS and VIIRS, the consistency of gas correction becomes even more crucial.

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