scholarly journals Extreme levels of Canadian wildfire smoke in the stratosphere over central Europe on 21–22 August 2017

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 11831-11845 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Ansmann ◽  
Holger Baars ◽  
Alexandra Chudnovsky ◽  
Ina Mattis ◽  
Igor Veselovskii ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Europe ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Light Extinction ◽  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Wildfire Smoke ◽  
The North ◽  
Radiative Power ◽  
Peak Mass ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer

Abstract. Light extinction coefficients of 500 Mm−1, about 20 times higher than after the Pinatubo volcanic eruptions in 1991, were observed by European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET) lidars in the stratosphere over central Europe on 21–22 August 2017. Pronounced smoke layers with a 1–2 km vertical extent were found 2–5 km above the local tropopause. Optically dense layers of Canadian wildfire smoke reached central Europe 10 days after their injection into the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere which was caused by rather strong pyrocumulonimbus activity over western Canada. The smoke-related aerosol optical thickness (AOT) identified by lidar was close to 1.0 at 532 nm over Leipzig during the noon hours on 22 August 2017. Smoke particles were found throughout the free troposphere (AOT of 0.3) and in the pronounced 2 km thick stratospheric smoke layer at an altitude of 14–16 km (AOT of 0.6). The lidar observations indicated peak mass concentrations of 70–100 µg m−3 in the stratosphere. In addition to the lidar profiles, we analyzed Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) fire radiative power (FRP) over Canada, and the distribution of MODIS AOT and Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) aerosol index across the North Atlantic. These instruments showed a similar pattern and a clear link between the western Canadian fires and the aerosol load over Europe. In this paper, we also present Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) sun photometer observations, compare photometer and lidar-derived AOT, and discuss an obvious bias (the smoke AOT is too low) in the photometer observations. Finally, we compare the strength of this record-breaking smoke event (in terms of the particle extinction coefficient and AOT) with major and moderate volcanic events observed over the northern midlatitudes.

scholarly journals Characterization of wildfire NO<sub>x</sub> emissions using MODIS fire radiative power and OMI tropospheric NO<sub>2</sub> columns

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 5351-5378 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. K. Mebust ◽  
A. R. Russell ◽  
R. C. Hudman ◽  
L. C. Valin ◽  
R. C. Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Tropospheric No2 ◽  
Radiative Power ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ◽  
In Fire ◽  
Land Types ◽  
Fire Radiative Power

Abstract. We use observations of fire radiative power (FRP) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and tropospheric NO2 column measurements from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) to derive NO2 wildfire emission coefficients (g MJ−1) for three land types over California and Nevada. Retrieved emission coefficients were 0.279 ± 0.077, 0.342 ± 0.053, and 0.696 ± 0.088 g MJ−1 NO2 for forest, grass and shrub fuels, respectively. These emission coefficients reproduce ratios of emissions with fuel type reported previously using independent methods. However, the magnitude of these coefficients is lower than prior estimates, which suggests either a negative bias in the OMI NO2 retrieval over regions of active emissions, or that the average fire observed in our study has a smaller ratio of flaming to smoldering combustion than measurements used in prior estimates of emissions. Our results indicate that satellite data can provide an extensive characterization of the variability in fire NOx emissions; 67% of the variability in emissions in this region can be accounted for using an FRP-based parameterization.

scholarly journals Characterization of wildfire NO<sub>x</sub> emissions using MODIS fire radiative power and OMI tropospheric NO<sub>2</sub> columns

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 5839-5851 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. K. Mebust ◽  
A. R. Russell ◽  
R. C. Hudman ◽  
L. C. Valin ◽  
R. C. Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Fire Emissions ◽  
Active Fire ◽  
Radiative Power ◽  
Flaming Combustion ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ◽  
Current Emission ◽  
Fire Radiative Power

Abstract. We use observations of fire radiative power (FRP) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer~(MODIS) and tropospheric NO2 column measurements from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) to derive NO2 wildfire emission coefficients (g MJ−1) for three land types over California and Nevada. Retrieved emission coefficients were 0.279±0.077, 0.342±0.053, and 0.696±0.088 g MJ−1 NO2 for forest, grass and shrub fuels, respectively. These emission coefficients reproduce ratios of emissions with fuel type reported previously using independent methods. However, the magnitude of these coefficients is lower than prior estimates. While it is possible that a negative bias in the OMI NO2 retrieval over regions of active fire emissions is partly responsible, comparison with several other studies of fire emissions using satellite platforms indicates that current emission factors may overestimate the contributions of flaming combustion and underestimate the contributions of smoldering combustion to total fire emissions. Our results indicate that satellite data can provide an extensive characterization of the variability in fire NOx emissions; 67 % of the variability in emissions in this region can be accounted for using an FRP-based parameterization.

scholarly journals Extreme levels of Canadian wildfire smoke in the stratosphere over central Europe – Part 1: AERONET, MODIS and lidar observations

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Ansmann ◽  
Holger Baars ◽  
Alexandra Chudnovsky ◽  
Moritz Haarig ◽  
Igor Veselovskii ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Europe ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
Light Extinction ◽  
Extinction Coefficients ◽  
Wildfire Smoke ◽  
Microphysical Properties ◽  
High Particle ◽  
Smoke Layer ◽  
Lidar Observations ◽  
532 Nm

Abstract. Light extinction coefficients of 500 Mm−1, about 20 times higher than after the Pinatubo volcanic eruptions in 1991, were observed with lidar in the stratosphere over Leipzig, Germany, on 22 August 2017. A pronounced smoke layer extended from 14–16 km height and was 3–4 km above the local tropopause. Optically dense layers of Canadian wildfire smoke reached central Europe 10 days after injection into the lower stratosphere caused by rather strong pyrocumulonimbus activity over western Canada. The smoke-related aerosol optical thickness (AOT) was close to 1.0 at 532 nm over Leipzig during the noon hours. We present detailed observations of this record-breaking smoke event in a series of two articles. In part 1, we provide an overview of Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) sun photometer observations and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) retrievals of AOT and show lidar measurements documenting the aerosol layering and the very high particle extinction coefficients. In part 2 (Haarig et al., 2018), observations with three polarization/Raman lidars are presented, performed at Leipzig after sunset on 22 August to elucidate the optical and microphysical properties of the aged smoke. As shown in this part 1, smoke particles were found throughout the free troposphere (532 nm AOT of 0.3). A pronounced 2-km thick stratospheric smoke layer occurred from 14–16 km height (AOT of 0.6). AERONET and lidar observations indicate peak mass concentrations of 70–100 μg m−3 in the stratosphere around noon and a well-defined (accumulation mode) smoke particle size distribution characterized by a large effective radius of 0.3–0.4 μm and the absence of a particle coarse mode.

scholarly journals A Climatological Assessment of Intense Desert Dust Episodes over the Broader Mediterranean Basin Based on Satellite Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 2895
Author(s):  
Maria Gavrouzou ◽  
Nikolaos Hatzianastassiou ◽  
Antonis Gkikas ◽  
Christos J. Lolis ◽  
Nikolaos Mihalopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Dust Aerosol ◽  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer

A satellite algorithm able to identify Dust Aerosols (DA) is applied for a climatological investigation of Dust Aerosol Episodes (DAEs) over the greater Mediterranean Basin (MB), one of the most climatologically sensitive regions of the globe. The algorithm first distinguishes DA among other aerosol types (such as Sea Salt and Biomass Burning) by applying threshold values on key aerosol optical properties describing their loading, size and absorptivity, namely Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), Aerosol Index (AI) and Ångström Exponent (α). The algorithm operates on a daily and 1° × 1° geographical cell basis over the 15-year period 2005–2019. Daily gridded spectral AOD data are taken from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Aqua Collection 6.1, and are used to calculate the α data, which are then introduced into the algorithm, while AI data are obtained by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) -Aura- Near-UV aerosol product OMAERUV dataset. The algorithm determines the occurrence of Dust Aerosol Episode Days (DAEDs), whenever high loads of DA (higher than their climatological mean value plus two/four standard deviations for strong/extreme DAEDs) exist over extended areas (more than 30 pixels or 300,000 km2). The identified DAEDs are finally grouped into Dust Aerosol Episode Cases (DAECs), consisting of at least one DAED. According to the algorithm results, 166 (116 strong and 50 extreme) DAEDs occurred over the MB during the study period. DAEDs are observed mostly in spring (47%) and summer (38%), with strong DAEDs occurring primarily in spring and summer and extreme ones in spring. Decreasing, but not statistically significant, trends of the frequency, spatial extent and intensity of DAECs are revealed. Moreover, a total number of 98 DAECs was found, primarily in spring (46 DAECs) and secondarily in summer (36 DAECs). The seasonal distribution of the frequency of DAECs varies geographically, being highest in early spring over the eastern Mediterranean, in late spring over the central Mediterranean and in summer over the western MB.

scholarly journals Real-Time Detection of Daytime and Night-Time Fire Hotspots from Geostationary Satellites

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1627
Author(s):  
Chermelle B. Engel ◽  
Simon D. Jones ◽  
Karin J. Reinke
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Infrared Imaging ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Clear Link ◽  
Radiative Power ◽  
Biogeographical Region ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ◽  
Fire Radiative Power

This paper introduces an enhanced version of the Biogeographical Region and Individual Geostationary HHMMSS Threshold (BRIGHT) algorithm. The algorithm runs in real-time and operates over 24 h to include both daytime and night-time detections. The algorithm was executed and tested on 12 months of Himawari-8 data from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020, for every valid 10-min observation. The resulting hotspots were compared to those from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The modified BRIGHT hotspots matched with fire detections in VIIRS 96% and MODIS 95% of the time. The number of VIIRS and MODIS hotspots with matches in the coincident modified BRIGHT dataset was lower (at 33% and 46%, respectively). This paper demonstrates a clear link between the number of VIIRS and MODIS hotspots with matches and the minimum fire radiative power considered.

scholarly journals Investigating the frequency and interannual variability in global above-cloud aerosol characteristics with CALIOP and OMI

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Alfaro-Contreras ◽  
J. Zhang ◽  
J. R. Campbell ◽  
J. S. Reid
Keyword(s):  
Interannual Variability ◽  
Orthogonal Polarization ◽  
Cloud Detection ◽  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ◽  
First Time ◽  
Aerosol Index

Abstract. Seven and a half years (June 2006 to November 2013) of Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) aerosol and cloud layer products are compared with collocated Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) aerosol index (AI) data and Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) cloud products in order to investigate variability in estimates of biannual and monthly above-cloud aerosol (ACA) events globally. The active- (CALIOP) and passive-based (OMI-MODIS) techniques have their advantages and caveats for ACA detection, and thus both are used to derive a thorough and robust comparison of daytime cloudy-sky ACA distribution and climatology. For the first time, baseline above-cloud aerosol optical depth (ACAOD) and AI thresholds are derived and examined (AI  =  1.0, ACAOD  =  0.015) for each sensor. Both OMI-MODIS and CALIOP-based daytime spatial distributions of ACA events show similar patterns during both study periods (December–May) and (June–November). Divergence exists in some regions, however, such as Southeast Asia during June through November, where daytime cloudy-sky ACA frequencies of up to 10 % are found from CALIOP yet are non-existent from the OMI-based method. Conversely, annual cloudy-sky ACA frequencies of 20–30 % are reported over northern Africa from the OMI-based method yet are largely undetected by the CALIOP-based method. Using a collocated OMI-MODIS-CALIOP data set, our study suggests that the cloudy-sky ACA frequency differences between the OMI-MODIS- and CALIOP-based methods are mostly due to differences in cloud detection capability between MODIS and CALIOP as well as QA flags used. An increasing interannual variability of  ∼  0.3–0.4 % per year (since 2009) in global monthly cloudy-sky ACA daytime frequency of occurrence is found using the OMI-MODIS-based method. Yet, CALIOP-based global daytime ACA frequencies exhibit a near-zero interannual variability. Further analysis suggests that the OMI-derived interannual variability in cloudy-sky ACA frequency may be affected by OMI row anomalies in later years. A few regions are found to have increasing slopes in interannual variability in cloudy-sky ACA frequency, including the Middle East and India. Regions with slightly negative slopes of the interannual variability in cloudy-sky ACA frequencies are found over South America and China, while remaining regions in the study show nearly zero change in ACA frequencies over time. The interannual variability in ACA frequency is not, however, statistically significant on both global and regional scales, given the relatively limited sample sizes. A longer data record of ACA events is needed in order to establish significant trends of ACA frequency regionally and globally.

scholarly journals A high spatial resolution retrieval of NO<sub>2</sub> column densities from OMI: method and evaluation

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 12411-12440 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Russell ◽  
A. E. Perring ◽  
L. C. Valin ◽  
E. Bucsela ◽  
E. C. Browne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Vertical Column ◽  
Aircraft Observations ◽  
Vertical Column Density ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ◽  
Better Than

Abstract. We present a new retrieval of tropospheric NO2 vertical column density from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) based on high spatial and temporal resolution terrain and profile inputs. We find non-negligible impacts on the retrieved NO2 column for terrain pressure (±20%), albedo (±40%), and NO2 vertical profile (−75%–+10%). We compare our NO2 product, the Berkeley High-Resolution (BEHR) product, with operational retrievals and find that the operational retrievals are biased high (30%) over remote areas and biased low (8%) over urban regions. We validate the operational and BEHR products using boundary layer aircraft observations from the Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites (ARCTAS-CA) field campaign which occurred in June 2008 in California. Results indicate that columns derived using our boundary layer extrapolation method show good agreement with satellite observations (R2 = 0.65–0.83; N = 68) and provide a more robust validation of satellite-observed NO2 column than those determined using full vertical spirals (R2 = 0.26; N = 5) as in previous work. Agreement between aircraft observations and the BEHR product (R2 = 0.83) is better than agreement with the operational products (R2 = 0.65–0.72). We also show that agreement between satellite and aircraft observations for all products can be further improved (e.g. BEHR: R2 = 0.91) using cloud information from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument instead of the OMI cloud product. These results indicate that much of the variance in the operational products can be attributed to coarse resolution terrain and profile parameters.

scholarly journals Detection of multi-layer and vertically-extended clouds using A-train sensors

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 2707-2748 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Joiner ◽  
A. P. Vasilkov ◽  
P. K. Bhartia ◽  
G. Wind ◽  
S. Platnick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Simple Algorithm ◽  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Infrared Observations ◽  
Summer Hemisphere ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Cloud Optical Thickness ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
Cloud Top Pressure

Abstract. The detection of multiple cloud layers using satellite observations is important for retrieval algorithms as well as climate applications. In this paper, we describe a relatively simple algorithm to detect multiple cloud layers and distinguish them from vertically-extended clouds. The algorithm can be applied to coincident passive sensors that derive both cloud-top pressure from the thermal infrared observations and an estimate of solar photon pathlength from UV, visible, or near-IR measurements. Here, we use data from the A-train afternoon constellation of satellites: cloud-top pressure, cloud optical thickness, and the multi-layer flag from the Aqua MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and the optical centroid cloud pressure from the Aura Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI). The cloud classification algorithms applied with different passive sensor configurations compare well with each other as well as with data from the A-train CloudSat radar. We compute monthly mean fractions of pixels containing multi-layer and vertically-extended clouds for January and July 2007 at the OMI spatial resolution (12 km×24 km at nadir) and at the 5 km×5 km MODIS resolution for infrared cloud retrievals. There are seasonal variations in the spatial distribution of the different cloud types. The fraction of pixels containing distinct multi-layer cloud is a strong function of the pixel size. Globally averaged, these fractions are approximately 20% and 5% for OMI and MODIS, respectively. These fractions may be significantly higher or lower depending upon location. There is a much smaller resolution dependence for fractions of pixels containing vertically-extended clouds (~20% for OMI and slightly less for MODIS globally), suggesting larger spatial scales for these clouds. We also find significantly higher fractions of vertically-extended clouds over land as compared with ocean, particularly in the tropics and summer hemisphere.

scholarly journals A Study of the Distribution and Variability of Cloud Water Using ISCCP, SSM/I Cloud Product, and Reanalysis Datasets

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 3114-3128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiwei Heng ◽  
Yunfei Fu ◽  
Guosheng Liu ◽  
Renjun Zhou ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Water ◽  
Positive Anomaly ◽  
Liquid Water Path ◽  
Water Path ◽  
The North ◽  
Increasing Trend ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ◽  
Microwave Imager ◽  
Ice Water

Abstract In this paper, the global distribution of cloud water based on International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP), Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), CloudSat Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR), European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Interim Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim), and Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) datasets is presented, and the variability of cloud water from ISCCP, the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I), ERA-Interim, and CFSR data over the time period of 1995 through 2009 is discussed. The results show noticeable differences in cloud water over land and over ocean, as well as latitudinal variations. Large values of cloud water are mainly distributed over the North Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, eastern ITCZ, regions off the west coast of the continents as well as tropical rain forest. Cloud water path (CWP), liquid water path (LWP), and ice water path (IWP) from these datasets show a relatively good agreement in distributions and zonal means. The results of trend analyzing show an increasing trend in CWP, and also a significant increasing trend of LWP can be found in the dataset of ISCCP, ERA-Interim, and CFSR over the ocean. Besides the long-term variation trend, rises of cloud water are found when temperature and water vapor exhibit a positive anomaly. EOF analyses are also applied to the anomalies of cloud water, the first dominate mode of CWP and IWP are similar, and a phase change can be found in the LWP time coefficient around 1999 in ISCCP and CFSR and around 2002 in ERA-Interim.

scholarly journals Interannual Variability and Trends of Combustion Aerosol and Dust in Major Continental Outflows Revealed by MODIS Retrievals and CAM5 Simulations During 2003–2017

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongbin Yu ◽  
Yang Yang ◽  
Hailong Wang ◽  
Qian Tan ◽  
Mian Chin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interannual Variability ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
North Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Tropical Indian Ocean ◽  
Atmospheric Model ◽  
Northwestern Pacific ◽  
The North ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ◽  
Continental Outflow

Abstract. Emissions and long-range transport of mineral dust and combustion-related aerosol from burning fossil fuels and biomass vary from year to year, driven by the evolution of the economy and changes in meteorological conditions and environmental regulations. This study offers both satellite and model perspectives of interannual variability and possible trend of combustion aerosol and dust in major continental outflow regions over the past 15 years (2003–2017). The decade-long record of aerosol optical depth (AOD, denoted as τ), separately for combustion aerosol (τc) and dust (τd), over global oceans is derived from the Collection 6 aerosol products of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard both Terra and Aqua. These MODIS/Aqua datasets, complemented by aerosol source-tagged simulations using the Community Atmospheric Model Version 5 (CAM5), are then analyzed to understand the interannual variability and potential trend of τc and τd in the major continental outflows. Both MODIS and CAM5 consistently yield a similar decreasing trend of −0.017 to −0.020 decade−1 for τc over the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea that is attributable to reduced emissions from North America and Europe, respectively. On the contrary, both MODIS and CAM5 display an increasing trend of +0.017 to +0.036 decade−1 for τc over the tropical Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, and the Arabian Sea, which reflects the influence of increased anthropogenic emissions from South Asia and Middle East in the last two decades. Over the northwestern Pacific Ocean that is often affected by East Asian emissions of pollution and dust, the MODIS retrievals show a decreasing trend of −0.021 decade−1 for τc and −0.012 decade−1 for τd, which is however not reproduced by the CAM5 model. In other outflow regions strongly influenced by biomass burning smoke or dust, both MODIS retrievals and CAM5 simulations show no statistically significant trends; and the MODIS observed interannual variability is usually larger than that of the CAM5 simulation.

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