Maximizing MODIS aerosol retrieval capability using joint inversions and merged data products with CALIOP, OMI and PARASOL
Abstract
The MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) retrieves aerosol optical depth (AOD) over land and ocean, and information on particle size over ocean, only. It succeeds due to its relatively fine spatial resolution of 500 m at nadir and broad spectral range from 0.47 µm to 2.13 µm. While the global scientific community has made excellent use of the MODIS aerosol products the community requires greater information on particle properties and distribution. By combining MODIS radiances and products with measurements from other sensors we can increase the information provided by these sensors. We have explored three different techniques for using MODIS measurements and/or products in conjunction with other sensors. 1) We have used MODIS radiances in conjunction with measured lidar attenuated backscatter profiles to retrieve vertical profiles of aerosol extinction and fine mode fraction over ocean in a true joint retrieval. 2) We have used MODIS aerosol retrieval products, in contrast to the MODIS measured radiances, to constrain retrievals of aerosol height and absorption from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI). The constrained OMI retrieval results in greater accuracy in the single scattering albedo and aerosol layer height products. 3) We have simply tapped into the PARASOL operationally-produced measures of fine aerosol optical depth over land and bundled the PARASOL product into the downloadable suite of MODIS products. This provides the MODIS user with an option for obtaining quantitative information on fine mode aerosol loading (as opposed to total aerosol loading) over land, where MODIS cannot distinguish information from different particle size ranges. Each of these three options combining sensor information: the joint retrieval, the added constraint and the merged product, enhances satellite capability for describing the global aerosol system and answering scientific questions.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2009
- Bibcode:
- 2009AGUFM.A11C0105R
- Keywords:
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- 0305 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE / Aerosols and particles;
- 1640 GLOBAL CHANGE / Remote sensing