scholarly journals Satellite-based radiative forcing by light-absorbing particles in snow across the Northern Hemisphere

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 269-288
Author(s):  
Jiecan Cui ◽  
Tenglong Shi ◽  
Yue Zhou ◽  
Dongyou Wu ◽  
Xin Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Snow Albedo ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ◽  
Earth’S Climate

Abstract. Snow is the most reflective natural surface on Earth and consequently plays an important role in Earth's climate. Light-absorbing particles (LAPs) deposited on the snow surface can effectively decrease snow albedo, resulting in positive radiative forcing. In this study, we used remote-sensing data from NASA's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and the Snow, Ice, and Aerosol Radiative (SNICAR) model to quantify the reduction in snow albedo due to LAPs before validating and correcting the data against in situ observations. We then incorporated these corrected albedo-reduction data in the Santa Barbara DISORT (Discrete Ordinate Radiative Transfer) Atmospheric Radiative Transfer (SBDART) model to estimate Northern Hemisphere radiative forcing except for midlatitude mountains in December–May for the period 2003–2018. Our analysis reveals an average corrected reduction in snow albedo (ΔαMODIS,correctedLAPs) of ∼ 0.021 under all-sky conditions, with daily radiative forcing (RFMODIS,dailyLAPs) values of ∼ 2.9 W m−2, over land areas with complete or near-complete snow cover and with little or no vegetation above the snow in the Northern Hemisphere. We also observed significant spatial variations in ΔαMODIS,correctedLAPs and RFMODIS,dailyLAPs, with the lowest respective values (∼ 0.016 and ∼ 2.6 W m−2) occurring in the Arctic and the highest (∼ 0.11 and ∼ 12 W m−2) in northeastern China. From MODIS retrievals, we determined that the LAP content of snow accounts for 84 % and 70 % of the spatial variability in albedo reduction and radiative forcing, respectively. We also compared retrieved radiative forcing values with those of earlier studies, including local-scale observations, remote-sensing retrievals, and model-based estimates. Ultimately, estimates of radiative forcing based on satellite-retrieved data are shown to represent true conditions on both regional and global scales.

scholarly journals Satellite-based radiative forcing by light-absorbing particles in snow across the Northern Hemisphere

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiecan Cui ◽  
Tenglong Shi ◽  
Yue Zhou ◽  
Dongyou Wu ◽  
Xin Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Snow Albedo ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ◽  
Earth’S Climate

Abstract. Snow is the most reflective natural surface on Earth and consequently plays an important role in Earth’s climate. Light-absorbing particles (LAPs) deposited on the snow surface can effectively decrease snow albedo, resulting in positive radiative forcing. In this study, we used remote sensing data from NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and the Snow, Ice, and Aerosol Radiative (SNICAR) model to quantify the reduction in snow albedo due to LAPs, before validating and correcting the data against in situ observations. We then incorporated these corrected albedo reduction data in the Santa Barbara DISORT Atmospheric Radiative Transfer (SBDART) model to estimate Northern Hemisphere radiative forcing in January and February for the period 2003–2018. Our analysis reveals an average corrected reduction in snow albedo of ~0.0246, with instantaneous radiative forcing and daily radiative forcing values of ~5.87 and ~1.69 W m−2, respectively. We also observed significant spatial variations in corrected snow albedo reduction, instantaneous radiative forcing and daily radiative forcing throughout the Northern Hemisphere, with the lowest respective values (~0.0123, ~1.09 W m−2, and ~0.29 W m−2) occurring in the Arctic and the highest (~0.1669, ~36.02 W m−2, and ~10.60 W m−2) in northeastern China. From MODIS retrievals, we determined that the LAP content of snow accounts for 57.6 % and 37.2 % of the spatial variability in Northern Hemisphere albedo reduction and radiative forcing, respectively. We also compared retrieved radiative forcing values with those of earlier studies, including local-scale observations, remote-sensing retrievals, and model-based estimates. Ultimately, estimates of radiative forcing based on satellite-retrieved data are shown to represent true conditions on both regional and global scales.

scholarly journals Volcanic Ash Retrieval Using a New Geostationary Satellite

2015 ◽  
Vol XL-7/W4 ◽  
pp. 67-74
Author(s):  
K. H. Lee ◽  
K. T. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Volcanic Ash ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
New Era ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Aerosol Remote Sensing ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer

The paper presents currently developing method of volcanic ash detection and retrieval for the Geostationary Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite (GK-2A). With the launch of GK-2A, aerosol remote sensing including dust, smoke, will begin a new era of geostationary remote sensing. The Advanced Meteorological Imager (AMI) onboard GK-2A will offer capabilities for volcanic ash remote sensing similar to those currently provided by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite. Based on the physical principles for the current polar and geostationary imagers are modified in the algorithm. Volcanic ash is estimated in detection processing from visible and infrared channel radiances, and the comparison of satellite-observed radiances with those calculated from radiative transfer model. The retrievals are performed operationally every 15 min for volcanic ash for pixel sizes of 2 km. The algorithm currently under development uses a multichannel approach to estimate the effective radius, aerosol optical depth (AOD) simultaneously, both over water and land. The algorithm has been tested with proxy data generated from existing satellite observations and forward radiative transfer simulations. Operational assessment of the algorithm will be made after the launch of GK-2A scheduled in 2018.

scholarly journals Northern Hemisphere Contrail Properties Derived from Terra and Aqua MODIS Data for 2006 and 2012

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
David P. Duda ◽  
Sarah T. Bedka ◽  
Patrick Minnis ◽  
Douglas Spangenberg ◽  
Konstantin Khlopenkov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Detection Algorithm ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Effective Diameter ◽  
Spreading Factor ◽  
Modis Imagery ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer

Abstract. Linear contrail coverage, optical property, and radiative forcing data over the Northern Hemisphere (NH) are derived from a year (2012) of Terra and Aqua Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) imagery, and are compared with previously published 2006 results (Duda et al., 2013; Bedka et al., 2013; Spangenberg et al., 2013) using a consistent retrieval methodology. Differences in the observed Terra-minus-Aqua screened contrail coverage and patterns in the 2012 annual-mean air traffic estimated with respect to satellite overpass time suggest that most contrails detected by the contrail detection algorithm (CDA) form approximately 2 h before overpass time. The 2012 screened NH contrail coverage (Mask B) shows a relative 3 % increase (from 0.136 % to 0.140 %) compared to 2006 data for Terra and increased by almost 7 % (0.134 % to 0.143 %) for Aqua. A new post-processing algorithm added to the contrail mask processing estimated that the total contrail cirrus coverage visible in the MODIS imagery may be three to four times larger than the linear contrail coverage detected by the CDA. This estimate is similar in magnitude to the spreading factor estimated by Minnis et al. (2013). Contrail property retrievals of the 2012 data indicate that both contrail optical depth and contrail effective diameter decreased approximately 10 % between 2006 and 2012. The decreases may be attributed to better background cloudiness characterization, changes in the waypoint screening, or changes in contrail temperature. The total mean contrail radiative forcing (TCRF) for all 2012 Terra observations were −6.3, 14.3, and 8.0 mW m−2 for the shortwave (SWCRF), longwave (LWCRF), and net forcings, respectively. These values are approximately 20 % less than the corresponding 2006 Terra estimates. The decline in TCRF results from the decrease in normalized CRF, partially offset by the 3 % increase in overall contrail coverage in 2012. The TCRFs for 2012 Aqua are similar, −6.4, 15.5, and 9.0 mW m−2 for shortwave, longwave, and net radiative forcing. The strong correlation between the relative changes in both total SWCRF and LWCRF between 2006 and 2012 and the corresponding relative changes in screened contrail coverage over each air traffic region suggests that regional changes in TCRF from year to year are dominated by interannual changes in contrail coverage over each area.

scholarly journals Remotely sensed carotenoid dynamics predict photosynthetic phenology in conifer and deciduous forests

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher YS Wong ◽  
Lina M Mercado ◽  
Altaf Arain ◽  
Ingo Ensminger
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystem ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Dynamic Global Vegetation Model ◽  
Annual Carbon ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ◽  
Global Vegetation

Crucially, the phenology of photosynthesis conveys the length of the growing season. Assessing the timing of photosynthetic phenology is key for terrestrial ecosystem models for constraining annual carbon uptake. However, model representation of photosynthetic phenology remains a major limitation. Recent advances in remote sensing allow detecting changes of foliar pigment composition that regulate photosynthetic activity. We used foliar pigments changes as proxies for light-use-efficiency (LUE) to model gross primary productivity (GPP) from remote sensing data. We evaluated the performance of LUE-models with GPP from eddy covariance and against MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) GPP, a conventional LUE model, and a process-based dynamic global vegetation model at an evergreen needleleaf and a deciduous broadleaf forest. Overall, the LUE-models using foliar pigment information best captured the start and end of season, demonstrating that using regulatory carotenoids and photosynthetic efficiency in LUE models can improve remote monitoring of the phenology of forest vegetation.

scholarly journals The remote sensing of radiative forcing by light-absorbing particles (LAPs) in seasonal snow over northeastern China

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (15) ◽  
pp. 9949-9968 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Pu ◽  
Jiecan Cui ◽  
Tenglong Shi ◽  
Xuelei Zhang ◽  
Cenlin He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Atmospheric Correction ◽  
Northeastern China ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Spatial Variance ◽  
Snow Albedo ◽  
Sky Conditions

Abstract. Light-absorbing particles (LAPs) deposited on snow can decrease snow albedo and affect climate through snow-albedo radiative forcing. In this study, we use MODIS observations combined with a snow-albedo model (SNICAR – Snow, Ice, and Aerosol Radiative) and a radiative transfer model (SBDART – Santa Barbara DISORT Atmospheric Radiative Transfer) to retrieve the instantaneous spectrally integrated radiative forcing at the surface by LAPs in snow (RFMODISLAPs) under clear-sky conditions at the time of MODIS Aqua overpass across northeastern China (NEC) in January–February from 2003 to 2017. RFMODISLAPs presents distinct spatial variability, with the minimum (22.3 W m−2) in western NEC and the maximum (64.6 W m−2) near industrial areas in central NEC. The regional mean RFMODISLAPs is ∼45.1±6.8 W m−2 in NEC. The positive (negative) uncertainties of retrieved RFMODISLAPs due to atmospheric correction range from 14 % to 57 % (−14 % to −47 %), and the uncertainty value basically decreases with the increased RFMODISLAPs. We attribute the variations of radiative forcing based on remote sensing and find that the spatial variance of RFMODISLAPs in NEC is 74.6 % due to LAPs and 21.2 % and 4.2 % due to snow grain size and solar zenith angle. Furthermore, based on multiple linear regression, the BC dry and wet deposition and snowfall could explain 84 % of the spatial variance of LAP contents, which confirms the reasonability of the spatial patterns of retrieved RFMODISLAPs in NEC. We validate RFMODISLAPs using in situ radiative forcing estimates. We find that the biases in RFMODISLAPs are negatively correlated with LAP concentrations and range from ∼5 % to ∼350 % in NEC.

Arctic low-level clouds and their importance for radiative transfer simulations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannes Griesche ◽  
Carola Barrientos Velasco ◽  
Patric Seifert
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Liquid Water ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Liquid Water Path ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Cloud Radar ◽  
Microphysical Properties ◽  
Water Detection

<p>The observation of low-level stratocumulus cloud decks in the Arctic poses challenges to ground-based remote sensing. These clouds frequently occur during summer below the lowest range gate of common zenith-pointing cloud radar instruments, like the KAZR and the Mira-35. In addition, the optical thickness of these low-level clouds often do cause a complete attenuation of the lidar beam. For remote-sensing instrument synergy retrievals, as Cloudnet (Illingworth, 2007) or ARSCL (Active Remote Sensing of Clouds, Shupe, 2007), liquid-water detection in clouds is usually based on lidar backscatter. Thus, a complete attenuation can cause misclassification of mixed-phase clouds as pure-ice clouds. Moreover, the missing cloud radar information makes it difficult to derive the cloud microphysical properties, as most common retrievals are based on cloud radar reflectivity.</p> <p>A new low-level stratus detection mask (Griesche, 2020) was used to detect these clouds. The liquid-water cloud microphysical properties were derived by a simple but effective analysis of the liquid-water path. This approach was applied to remote-sensing data from a shipborne expedition performed in the Arctic summer 2017. The values calculated by applying the adjusted method improve the results of radiative transfer simulations yielding the determination of radiative closure.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Illingworth et al. (2007). “Cloudnet”. BAMS.</p> <p>Shupe (2007). “A ground-based multisensor cloud phase classifier”. GRL.</p> <p>Griesche et al. (2020). “Application of the shipborne remote sensing supersite OCEANET for profiling of Arctic aerosols and clouds during Polarstern cruise PS106”. AMT.</p>

scholarly journals Northern Hemisphere contrail properties derived from Terra and Aqua MODIS data for 2006 and 2012

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 5313-5330 ◽  
Author(s):  
David P. Duda ◽  
Sarah T. Bedka ◽  
Patrick Minnis ◽  
Douglas Spangenberg ◽  
Konstantin Khlopenkov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Detection Algorithm ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Effective Diameter ◽  
Radiative Forcings ◽  
Modis Imagery ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer

Abstract. Linear contrail coverage, optical property, and radiative forcing data over the Northern Hemisphere (NH) are derived from a year (2012) of Terra and Aqua Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) imagery and compared with previously published 2006 results (Duda et al., 2013; Bedka et al., 2013; Spangenberg et al., 2013) using a consistent retrieval methodology. Differences in the observed Terra-minus-Aqua screened contrail coverage and patterns in the 2012 annual-mean air traffic estimated with respect to satellite overpass time suggest that most contrails detected by the contrail detection algorithm (CDA) form approximately 2 h before overpass time. The 2012 screened NH contrail coverage (Mask B) shows a relative 3 % increase compared to 2006 data for Terra and increases by almost 7 % for Aqua, although the differences are not expected to be statistically significant. A new post-processing algorithm added to the contrail mask processing estimated that the total contrail cirrus coverage visible in the MODIS imagery may be 3 to 4 times larger than the linear contrail coverage detected by the CDA. This estimate is similar in magnitude to the spreading factor estimated by Minnis et al. (2013). Contrail property retrievals of the 2012 data indicate that both contrail optical depth and contrail effective diameter decreased approximately 10 % between 2006 and 2012. The decreases may be attributed to better background cloudiness characterization, changes in the waypoint screening, or changes in contrail temperature. The total mean contrail radiative forcings (TCRFs) for all 2012 Terra observations were −6.3, 14.3, and 8.0 mW m−2 for the shortwave (SWCRF), longwave (LWCRF), and net forcings, respectively. These values are approximately 20 % less than the corresponding 2006 Terra estimates. The decline in TCRF results from the decrease in normalized CRF, partially offset by the 3 % increase in overall contrail coverage in 2012. The TCRFs for 2012 Aqua are similar, −6.4, 15.5, and 9.0 mW m−2 for shortwave, longwave, and net radiative forcing. The strong correlation between the relative changes in both total SWCRF and LWCRF between 2006 and 2012 and the corresponding relative changes in screened contrail coverage over each air traffic region suggests that regional changes in TCRF from year to year are dominated by year-to-year changes in contrail coverage over each area.

scholarly journals Reduction of surface radiative forcing observed from remote sensing data during global COVID-19 lockdown

2021 ◽  
pp. 105729
Author(s):  
Usman Mazhar ◽  
Shuanggen Jin ◽  
Muhammad Bilal ◽  
Md. Arfan Ali ◽  
Rehana Khan
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Sensing Data

scholarly journals Consequences of the 2019 Greenland Ice Sheet Melt Episode on Albedo

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 227
Author(s):  
Arthur Elmes ◽  
Charlotte Levy ◽  
Angela Erb ◽  
Dorothy K. Hall ◽  
Ted A. Scambos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Surface Albedo ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
Surface Energy Budget ◽  
Landsat 8 ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ◽  
Seasonal Snow Cover

In mid-June 2019, the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) experienced an extreme early-season melt event. This, coupled with an earlier-than-average melt onset and low prior winter snowfall over western Greenland, led to a rapid decrease in surface albedo and greater solar energy absorption over the melt season. The 2019 melt season resulted in significantly more melt than other recent years, even compared to exceptional melt years previously identified in the moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) record. The increased solar radiation absorbance in 2019 warmed the surface and increased the rate of meltwater production. We use two decades of satellite-derived albedo from the MODIS MCD43 record to show a significant and extended decrease in albedo in Greenland during 2019. This decrease, early in the melt season and continuing during peak summer insolation, caused increased radiative forcing of the ice sheet of 2.33 Wm−2 for 2019. Radiative forcing is strongly influenced by the dramatic seasonal differences in surface albedo experienced by any location experiencing persistent and seasonal snow-cover. We also illustrate the utility of the newly developed Landsat-8 albedo product for better capturing the detailed spatial heterogeneity of the landscape, leading to a more refined representation of the surface energy budget. While the MCD43 data accurately capture the albedo for a given 500 m pixel, the higher spatial resolution 30 m Landsat-8 albedos more fully represent the detailed landscape variations.

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