NASA’s TropOMI Aerosol Products: Algorithm and Preliminary Evaluation Results
<p>The extended hyperspectral capability with improved spatial resolution of the S5-P/TROPOMI instrument makes it more useful than OMI for observing not only trace gases but also aerosols. We have developed a research algorithm (TROPOMAER) for retrieving aerosol properties from S5-P/TROPOMI L1-b (Version 01) radiances using a locally derived radiometric calibration. The TROPOMAER algorithm is based on the OMI aerosol algorithm (OMAERUV) which has been used for producing operational aerosol products for the last 14 years. In addition to the standard UV Aerosol Index (UVAI) product, TROPOMI measured radiances at 354 and 388 nm are used for retrieving Aerosol Extinction Optical Depth (AOD), Single Scattering Albedo (SSA) under cloud free conditions and above-cloud Aerosol Extinction Optical Depth (ACAOD). Collocated Suomi-NPP/VIIRS cloud mask product is also integrated with TROPOMAER for screening sub-pixel cloud contamination in the retrieved aerosol products. Initial evaluation results of TROPOMI aerosol products using AERONET AOD and SSA observations will be presented. We will also discuss preliminary results of new algorithmic approaches to retrieve aerosol layer height using TROPOMI Oxygen-B band observations, and aerosol type identification with SWIR measurements.</p>