scholarly journals Retrieval of Aerosol Optical Thickness with Custom Aerosol Model Using SKYNET Data over the Chiba Area

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1144
Author(s):  
Zixuan Xue ◽  
Hiroaki Kuze ◽  
Hitoshi Irie
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Optical Thickness ◽  
Surface Albedo ◽  
Spectral Response ◽  
Aerosol Optical Thickness ◽  
Observation Data ◽  
Aerosol Model ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Sky Conditions

The retrieval of the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) from remotely-sensed data relies on the adopted aerosol model. However, the method of this technique has been rather limited because of the high variability of the surface albedo, in addition to the spatial variability in the aerosol properties over the land surfaces. To overcome unsolved problems, we proposed a method for the visibility-derived AOT estimation from SKYNET-based measurement and daytime satellite images with a custom aerosol model over the Chiba area (35.62° N, 140.10° E), which is located in the greater Tokyo metropolitan area in Japan. Different from conventionally-used aerosol models for the boundary layer, we created a custom aerosol model by using sky-radiometer observation data of aerosol volume size distribution and refractive indices, coupled with spectral response functions (SPFs) of satellite visible bands to alleviate the wide range of path-scattered radiance. We utilized the radiative transfer code 6S to implement the radiative transfer calculation based on the created custom aerosol model. The concurrent data from ground-based measurement are used in the radiative analysis, namely the temporal variation of AOT from SKYNET. The radiative estimation conducted under clear-sky conditions with minimum aerosol loading is used for the determination of the surface albedo, so that the 6S simulation yields a well-defined relation between total radiance and surface albedo. We made look-up tables (LUTs) pixel-by-pixel over the Chiba area for the custom aerosol model to retrieve the satellite AOT distribution based on the surface albedo. Therefore, such a reference of surface albedo generated from clear-sky conditions, in turn, can be employed to retrieve the spatial distribution of AOT on both clear and relatively turbid days. The value for the AOTs retrieved using the custom aerosol model is found to be stable than conventionally-used typical aerosol models, indicating that our method yields substantially better performance.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Radiative Transfer Model Calculations of Solar Actinic Flux Densities with HALO Aircraft Measurements

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Kremer ◽  
Birger Bohn
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Aircraft Measurements ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
Actinic Flux ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Research Aircraft ◽  
Sky Conditions ◽  
Actinic Radiation ◽  
The Impact

<p>Solar actinic radiation is driving atmospheric photochemistry. Consequently, chemistry-transport models rely on accurate model predictions of actinic flux densities to correctly reproduce the essential impact of photolysis processes. Cloud effects are most challenging in this context because of their potentially large influence and their variability. In this study, the effects of clouds, aerosols and ground albedos on solar actinic radiation are investigated using 1D satellite-aided radiative transfer calculations and in-situ aircraft measurements.</p><p>Spectral actinic flux densities in the range 280-650 nm are calculated with the latest version of the libRadtran model utilizing cloud products from geostationary satellites (NASA SatCORPS) as well as aerosol properties (MODIS, MOD08_D3), surface albedos (MODIS, MCD43A3) and total assimilated ozone columns (TEMIS, MSR-2) from polar orbiting satellites as key input parameters. The evaluation of the performance of the model output is made by comparison with data from several campaigns with the research aircraft HALO (High Altitude and Long Range Research Aircraft) where spectral actinic flux densities were measured during a total of around 90 research flights.</p><p>As a prerequisite to study cloud influence, clear-sky cases were investigated in detail to quantify the impact of the aerosol optical thickness and surface albedo on spectral actinic flux densities. Over land, radiative transfer calculations show good agreement with the measured data independent of wavelength and altitude within about 10% under clear sky conditions. Over the ocean the situation is complicated, because ocean surface albedos (OSA) are not available from satellite observations. Available OSA parametrizations, that depend on atmospheric conditions, tend to lead to a slight overestimation of upward-directed actinic flux densities in particular in the visible range, but the agreement for total actinic flux densities is still comparable with that over land. With sufficient agreement of modelled and observed actinic flux densities under clear sky conditions, flight paths with clouds will be included comprising above-cloud, in-cloud and below-cloud conditions. In the model, liquid cloud effects can be parametrized using Mie theory, but ice clouds pose a more complex problem, due to the wide range of possible structures of ice crystals. Finally, the intent of this study is to asses the quality of the radiative transfer modelled actinic flux densities based upon the satellite-derived cloud information.</p>

scholarly journals Speeding up the aerosol optical thickness retrieval using analytical solutions of radiative transfer theory

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 1403-1422 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. L. Katsev ◽  
A. S. Prikhach ◽  
E. P. Zege ◽  
J. O. Grudo ◽  
A. A. Kokhanovsky
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Data Processing ◽  
Satellite Data ◽  
Optical Thickness ◽  
Analytical Solutions ◽  
Iteration Process ◽  
Aerosol Optical Thickness ◽  
Radiative Transfer Theory ◽  
Aerosol Model ◽  
Transfer Theory

Abstract. We present here the aerosol retrieval technique FAR that uses radiative transfer computations in the process of retrieval rather than look-up tables (LUT). This approach provides operational satellite data processing due to the use of the accurate and extremely fast radiative transfer code RAY previously developed by authors along with approximate analytical solutions of the radiative transfer theory. The model of the stratified atmosphere is taken as two coupled layers. Both layers include aerosol scattering and absorption, molecular scattering and gas absorption. The atmosphere parameters are assumed to change from pixel to pixel in the lower atmosphere layer, but the upper stratified layer of the atmosphere over 2–3 km is supposed to be horizontally homogenous for the frame under retrieval. The model of the land spectral albedo is taken as a weighted sum of two a priory chosen basic spectra. The aerosol optical thickness (AOT), Angström exponent and the weight in the land spectral albedo are optimized in the iteration process using the least-squares technique with fast computations of the derivatives of radiative characteristics with respect to retrieved values. The aerosol model and, hence, the aerosol phase function and single scattering albedo, is predefined and does not change in the iteration process. The presented version of FAR is adjusted to process the MERIS data. But it is important that the developed technique can be adapted for processing data of various satellite instruments (including any spectral multi-angle polarization-sensitive sensors). The use of approximate analytical radiative transfer solutions considerably speeds up data processing but may lead to about 15–20% increase of AOT retrieval errors. This approach is advantageous when just the satellite data processing time rather than high accuracy of the AOT retrieval is crucial. A good example is monitoring the trans-boundary transfer of aerosol impurities, particularly in the case of emergencies such as volcano eruptions, or various industrial disasters. Beside, two important problems that determine the accuracy of the AOT retrieval are considered. The first one is the effect of the preliminary choice of the aerosol model, particularly for the retrieval from satellite instruments providing only spectral data (MERIS, MODIS). The second problem is the influence of clouds in adjacent pixels. As for our knowledge, this problem has not been given the required attention up to now and it should be properly accounted for in the AOT retrieval algorithms.

Consistent retrieval of cloud/aerosol single scattering properties and surface reflectance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Luffarelli ◽  
Yves Govaerts
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Optical Thickness ◽  
Solution Space ◽  
Single Scattering ◽  
Aerosol Optical Thickness ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Surface Reflectance ◽  
Earth System ◽  
System Components

<p>The CISAR (Combined Inversion of Surface and AeRosols) algorithm is exploited in the framework of the ESA Aerosol Climate Change Initiatiave (CCI) project, aiming at providing a set of atmospheric (cloud and aerosol) and surface reflectance products derived from S3A/SLSTR observations using the same radiative transfer physics and assumptions. CISAR is an advance algorithm developed by Rayference originally designed for the retrieval of aerosol single scattering properties and surface reflectance from both geostationary and polar orbiting satellite observations.  It is based on the inversion of a fast radiative transfer model (FASTRE). The retrieval mechanism allows a continuous variation of the aerosol and cloud single scattering properties in the solution space.</p><p> </p><p>Traditionally, different approaches are exploited to retrieve the different Earth system components, which could lead to inconsistent data sets. The simultaneous retrieval of different atmospheric and surface variables over any type of surface (including bright surfaces and water bodies) with the same forward model and inversion scheme ensures the consistency among the retrieved Earth system components. Additionally, pixels located in the transition zone between pure clouds and pure aerosols are often discarded from both cloud and aerosol algorithms. This “twilight zone” can cover up to 30% of the globe. A consistent retrieval of both cloud and aerosol single scattering properties with the same algorithm could help filling this gap.</p><p> </p><p>The CISAR algorithm aims at overcoming the need of an external cloud mask, discriminating internally between aerosol and cloud properties. This approach helps reducing the overestimation of aerosol optical thickness in cloud contaminated pixels. The surface reflectance product is delivered both for cloud-free and cloudy observations.  </p><p> </p><p>Global maps obtained from the processing of S3A/SLSTR observations will be shown. The SLSTR/CISAR products over events such as, for instance, the Australian fire in the last months of 2019, will be discussed in terms of aerosol optical thickness, aerosol-cloud discrimination and fine/coarse mode fraction.</p>

scholarly journals Atmospheric aerosol characterization with a ground-based SPEX spectropolarimetric instrument

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 4341-4351 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. van Harten ◽  
J. de Boer ◽  
J. H. H. Rietjens ◽  
A. Di Noia ◽  
F. Snik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Thickness ◽  
Atmospheric Aerosols ◽  
Complex Refractive Index ◽  
Random Noise ◽  
Aerosol Optical Thickness ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Field Deployment ◽  
Scattering Phase Function ◽  
Aerosol Parameters ◽  
Low Degrees

Abstract. Characterization of atmospheric aerosols is important for understanding their impact on health and climate. A wealth of aerosol parameters can be retrieved from multi-angle, multi-wavelength radiance and polarization measurements of the clear sky. We developed a ground-based SPEX instrument (groundSPEX) for accurate spectropolarimetry, based on the passive, robust, athermal, and snapshot spectral polarization modulation technique, and is hence ideal for field deployment. It samples the scattering phase function in the principal plane in an automated fashion, using a motorized pan/tilt unit and automatic exposure time detection. Extensive radiometric and polarimetric calibrations were performed, yielding values for both random noise and systematic uncertainties. The absolute polarimetric accuracy at low degrees of polarization is established to be ~5 × 10−3. About 70 measurement sequences have been performed throughout four clear-sky days at Cabauw, the Netherlands. Several aerosol parameters were retrieved: aerosol optical thickness, effective radius, and complex refractive index for fine and coarse mode. The results are in good agreement with the colocated AERONET products, with a correlation coefficient of ρ = 0.932 for the total aerosol optical thickness at 550 nm.

scholarly journals Validation of ESA Sentinel-2 L2A Aerosol Optical Thickness and Columnar Water Vapour during 2017–2018

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 1649 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Ángeles Obregón ◽  
Gonçalo Rodrigues ◽  
Maria Joao Costa ◽  
Miguel Potes ◽  
Ana Maria Silva
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapour ◽  
Root Mean Square ◽  
Optical Thickness ◽  
Spectral Response ◽  
Aerosol Optical Thickness ◽  
Mean Bias Error ◽  
Mean Square ◽  
Response Functions ◽  
Mean Square Errors ◽  
Sentinel 2

This study presents a validation of aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and integrated water vapour (IWV) products provided by the European Space Agency (ESA) from multi-spectral imager (MSI) measurements on board the Sentinel-2 satellite (ESA-L2A). For that purpose, data from 94 Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) stations over Europe and adjacent regions, covering a wide geographical region with a variety of climate and environmental conditions and during the period between March 2017 and December 2018 have been used. The comparison between ESA-L2A and AERONET shows a better agreement for IWV than the AOT, with normalized root mean square errors (NRMSE) of 5.33% and 9.04%, respectively. This conclusion is also reflected in the values of R2, which are 0.99 and 0.65 for IWV and AOT, respectively. The study period was divided into two sub-periods, before and after 15 January 2018, when the Sentinel-2A spectral response functions of bands 1 and 2 (centered at 443 and 492 nm) were updated by ESA, in order to investigate if the lack of agreement in the AOT values was connected to the use of incorrect spectral response functions. The comparison of ESA-L2A AOT with AERONET measurements showed a better agreement for the second sub-period, with root mean square error (RMSE) values of 0.08 in comparison with 0.14 in the first sub-period. This same conclusion was attained considering mean bias error (MBE) values that decreased from 0.09 to 0.01. The ESA-L2A AOT values estimated with the new spectral response functions were closer to the correspondent reference AERONET values than the ones obtained using the previous spectral response functions. IWV was not affected by this change since the retrieval algorithm does not use bands 1 and 2 of Sentinel-2. Additionally, an analysis of potential uncertainty sources to several factors affecting the AOT comparison is presented and recommendations regarding the use of ESA-L2A AOT dataset are given.

scholarly journals Correction of UVS-AB-T UV Radiometers Using a Radiative Transfer Model

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 1098-1103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Xia ◽  
Haobo Tan ◽  
Ling Chen ◽  
Weiqiang Mo ◽  
Zhiyang Yuan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Quadratic Function ◽  
Reaction Rates ◽  
Correction Method ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Observation Data ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Corrected Data ◽  
Decrement Rate

AbstractObservation of UV radiation is of major importance to human health and to the calculation of photochemical reaction rates. However, the sensitivity of UV radiometers decays because of equipment aging. A correction method is therefore proposed by using a decrement formula that is approximately a quadratic function of time and is obtained by fitting the clear-sky observation data from an aged UVS-AB-T UV radiometer with the data simulated by the Tropospheric Ultraviolet and Visible (TUV) radiative transfer model. The corrected data from the older radiometer are verified by the data from another newer radiometer on selected clear-sky days. The results show a high correlation and a low bias between the radiometers, and the mean of the corrected data from the older radiometer is 94.5% of that from the newer radiometer. After a long time of use, the decrement of the observation data would increase dramatically and errors of the data after correction would still be significant. In Dongguan, China, a recommendation is made that a UV radiometer should not be used for more than 5 years when the decrement rate reaches 50%.

scholarly journals Error sources in the retrieval of aerosol information over bright surfaces from satellite measurements in the oxygen A-band

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swadhin Nanda ◽  
Martin de Graaf ◽  
Maarten Sneep ◽  
Johan F. de Haan ◽  
Piet Stammes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Thickness ◽  
Surface Albedo ◽  
High Surface ◽  
Aerosol Optical Thickness ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Retrieval Algorithm ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Aerosol Layer ◽  
Critical Surface ◽  
Layer Height

Abstract. Retrieving aerosol optical thickness and aerosol layer height over a bright surface from measured top of atmosphere reflectance spectrum in the oxygen A-band is known to be challenging, often resulting in large errors. In certain atmospheric conditions and viewing geometries, a loss of sensitivity to aerosol optical thickness has been reported in literature. This loss of sensitivity has been attributed to a phenomenon known as critical surface albedo regime, which is a range of surface albedos for which the top of atmosphere reflectance has minimal sensitivity to aerosol optical thickness. This paper extends the concept of critical surface albedo for aerosol layer height retrievals in the oxygen A-band, and discusses its implications. The underlying physics are introduced by analysing top of atmosphere reflectance spectra obtained using a radiative transfer model. Furthermore, error analysis of the aerosol layer height retrieval algorithm are conducted over dark and bright surfaces to show the dependency on surface reflectance. The analysis shows that the information on aerosol layer height from atmospheric path contribution and the surface contribution to the top of atmosphere are opposite in sign – an increase in surface brightness results in a decrease in information content. In the case of aerosol optical thickness, these contributions are anti-correlated, leading to large retrieval errors in high surface albedo regimes. The consequence of this anti-correlation is demonstrated with measured spectra in the oxygen A-band from GOME-2A instrument on board the Metop-A satellite over the 2010 Russian wildfires incident.

scholarly journals Aerosol effect on the distribution of solar radiation over the clear-sky global oceans derived from four years of MODIS retrievals

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 5007-5038 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Remer ◽  
Y. J. Kaufman
Keyword(s):  
Optical Thickness ◽  
Regional Distribution ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
Measurement Tool ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Microphysical Properties ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Spectrally Resolved ◽  
Aerosol Radiative Effects ◽  
Global Oceans

Abstract. A four year record of MODIS spaceborne data provides a new measurement tool to assess the aerosol direct radiative effect at the top of the atmosphere. MODIS derives the aerosol optical thickness and microphysical properties from the scattered sunlight at 0.55–2.1 μm. The monthly MODIS data used here are accumulated measurements across a wide range of view and scattering angles and represent the aerosol's spectrally resolved angular properties. We use these data consistently to compute with estimated accuracy of ±0.3 Wm−2 the reflected sunlight by the aerosol over global oceans in cloud free conditions. The MODIS high spatial resolution (0.5 km) allows observation of the aerosol impact between clouds that can be missed by other sensors with larger footprints. We found that over the clear-sky global ocean the aerosol reflected 5.0±0.3Wm−2 with an average radiative efficiency of 46±2 Wm−2 per unit optical thickness. The seasonal and regional distribution of the aerosol radiative effects are discussed. The analysis adds a new measurement perspective to a climate change problem dominated so far by models.

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