A synergic algorithm for retrieval of aerosol optical depth over land

In this paper, a novel algorithm for aerosol optical depth(AOD) retrieval with a 1 km spatial resolution over land is presented using the Advanced Along Track Scanning Radiometer (AATSR) dual-view capability at 0.55, 0.66 and 0.87 μm, in combination with the Bi-directional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) model, a product of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The BRDF characteristics of the land surface, i.e. prior input parameters for this algorithm, are computed by extracti...     

Aerosol remote sensing over land: A comparison of satellite retrievals using different algorithms and instruments

An inter-comparison study of the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) at 0.55 μm retrieved using different satellite instruments and algorithms based on the analysis of backscattered solar light is presented for a single scene over central Europe on October 13th, 2005. For the first time comparisons have been performed for as many as six instruments on multiple satellite platforms. Ten different algorithms are briefly discussed and inter-compared. It was found that on the scale of a single pixel there can be large differences in AOT retrieved over land using different retrieval techniques and instruments. However, these differences are not as pronounced for the average AOT over land. For instance, the average AOT at 0.55 μm for the area 7–12E, 49–53N was equal to 0.14 for MISR, NASA MODIS and POLDER algorithms. It is smaller by 0.01 for the ESA MERIS aerosol product and larger by 0.04 for the MERIS BAER algorithm. AOT as derived using AATSR gives on average larger values as compared to all other instruments, while SCIAMACHY retrievals underestimate the aerosol loading. These discrepancies are explained by uncertainties in a priori assumptions used in the different algorithms and differences in the sensor characteristics. Validation against AERONET shows that MERIS provides the most accurate AOT retrievals for this scene.     

用MODIS反演北京城市地区地表反照率精度以及算法改进

MODIS(MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer)地表反照率的精度在乡村地区已经得到了检验,但是至今没有在城市地区的有关研究。地表反照率的精度在很大程度上取决于大气订正的精度,作者利用2002年以来的北京AERONET(国际气溶胶检测网络)站点Cimel气溶胶观测资料对反射率进行大气订正,通过对比来评价MODIS地表反照率算法中大气订正的精度。结果发现,MODIS大气订正在蓝光波段具有明显的过度订正现象,MODIS大气订正后地表反射率平均偏低0.03。MODIS地表反照率在冬季有约75%的缺测,这是因为冬季严重的空气污染使得MODIS云检测得到晴空观测较少。MODIS使用三参数双向反射率函数（BRDF）要求16天以内至少有3次以上的晴空观测（MODIS算法中要求7次）。通过分析MODIS反演得到的三参数,发现虽然它们的绝对值具有明显的季节变化,但是它们的比值是十分稳定的,这样使BRDF函数降低到只需要一个参数,有效降低了对晴空观测次数的要求,这一思想可以应用到热带等晴空日数较少的地区。     

中国区域MODIS陆上气溶胶光学厚度产品检验

以我国MODIS共享网站积累的MODIS L1B数据和美国威斯康辛大学提供的IMAPP软件包气溶胶产品软件为基础, 经过产品运行本地化改进处理, 在国家卫星气象中心建立了气溶胶产品业务化生成和发布机制。为支持气溶胶遥感产品算法改进以及潜在用户对产品的合理应用, 给出对国家卫星气象中心运行的MODIS气溶胶遥感产品质量检验分析结果。利用2005年1月— 2007年5月AERONET地基气溶胶监测网的L2.0级气溶胶光学厚度产品作为真值, 用它匹配MODIS陆上气溶胶光学厚度产品开展检验。检验结果表明:以卫星过境前后30min地基观测时间平均值匹配地基站点位置10 km半径范围内的卫星反演结果空间平均值开展检验, 总体样本的气溶胶光学厚度均方根误差约为0.25;满足产品误差要求 (±0.05±0.20τ) 的样本占总样本数的44%; 气溶胶光学厚度反演结果精度具有季节和地域差异, 干季(秋、冬、春)的气溶胶光学厚度误差较小, 而雨季气溶胶光学厚度误差较大, 云是雨季气溶胶光学厚度反演结果误差较大的主要影响因素。     

Effect of particle shape on dust shortwave direct radiative forcing calculations based on MODIS observations for a case study

Assuming spheroidal and spherical particle shapes for mineral dust aerosols, the effect of particle shape on dust aerosol optical depth retrievals, and subsequently on instantaneous shortwave direct radiative forcing (SWDRF) at the top of the atmosphere (TOA), is assessed based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data for a case study. Specifically, a simplified aerosol retrieval algorithm based on the principle of the Deep Blue aerosol retrieval method is employed to retrieve dust aerosol optical depths, and the Fu-Liou radiative transfer model is used to derive the instantaneous SWDRF of dust at the TOA for cloud-free conditions. Without considering the effect of particle shape on dust aerosol optical depth retrievals, the effect of particle shape on the scattering properties of dust aerosols (e.g., extinction efficiency, single scattering albedo and asymmetry factor) is negligible, which can lead to a relative difference of at most 5% for the SWDRF at the TOA. However, the effect of particle shape on the SWDRF cannot be neglected provided that the effect of particle shape on dust aerosol optical depth retrievals is also taken into account for SWDRF calculations. The corresponding results in an instantaneous case study show that the relative differences of the SWDRF at the TOA between spheroids and spheres depend critically on the scattering angles at which dust aerosol optical depths are retrieved, and can be up to 40% for low dust-loading conditions.     

An operational MODIS aerosol retrieval algorithm at high spatial resolution,and its application over a complex urban region

Aerosol retrieval algorithms for the MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) have been developed to estimate aerosol and microphysical properties of the atmosphere, which help to address aerosol climatic issues at global scale. However, higher spatial resolution aerosol products for urban areas have not been well-researched mainly due to the difficulty of differentiating aerosols from bright surfaces in urban areas. Here, an aerosol retrieval algorithm using the MODIS 500-m resolution bands is described, to retrieve aerosol properties over Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region. The rationale of our technique is to first estimate the aerosol reflectances by decomposing the top-of-atmosphere reflectances from surface reflectances and Rayleigh path reflectances. For the determination of surface reflectances, a Minimum Reflectance Technique (MRT) is used, and MRT images are computed for different seasons. For conversion of aerosol reflectance to aerosol optical thickness (AOT), comprehensive Look Up Tables specific to the local region are constructed, which consider aerosol properties and sun-viewing geometry in the radiative transfer calculations. Four local aerosol types, namely coastal urban, polluted urban, dust, and heavy pollution, were derived using cluster analysis on 3 years of AERONET measurements in Hong Kong. The resulting 500 m AOT images were found to be highly correlated with ground measurements from the AERONET (r² = 0.767) and Microtops II sunphotometers (r² = 0.760) in Hong Kong. This study further demonstrates the application of the fine resolution AOT images for monitoring inter-urban and intra-urban aerosol distributions and the influence of trans-boundary flows. These applications include characterization of spatial patterns of AOT within the city, and detection of regional biomass burning sources.     

Analysis and evaluation of the global aerosol optical properties simulated by an online aerosol-coupled non-hydrostatic icosahedral atmospheric model

Aerosol optical properties are simulated using the Spectral Radiation Transport Model for Aerosol Species(SPRINTARS)coupled with the Non-hydrostatic ICosahedral Atmospheric Model(NICAM). The 3-year global mean all-sky aerosol optical thickness(AOT) at 550 nm, the ngstr m Exponent(AE) based on AOTs at 440 and 870 nm, and the single scattering albedo(SSA) at 550 nm are estimated at 0.123, 0.657 and 0.944, respectively. For each aerosol species, the mean AOT is within the range of the Aero Com models. Both the modeled all-sky and clear-sky results are compared with observations from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS) and the Aerosol Robotic Network(AERONET). The simulated spatiotemporal distributions of all-sky AOTs can generally reproduce the MODIS retrievals, and the correlation and model skill can be slightly improved using the clear-sky results over most land regions. The differences between clear-sky and all-sky AOTs are larger over polluted regions. Compared with observations from AERONET, the modeled and observed all-sky AOTs and AEs are generally in reasonable agreement, whereas the SSA variation is not well captured. Although the spatiotemporal distributions of all-sky and clear-sky results are similar, the clear-sky results are generally better correlated with the observations. The clear-sky AOT and SSA are generally lower than the all-sky results, especially in those regions where the aerosol chemical composition is contributed to mostly by sulfate aerosol. The modeled clear-sky AE is larger than the all-sky AE over those regions dominated by hydrophilic aerosol, while the opposite is found over regions dominated by hydrophobic aerosol.     

MODIS反演多云地区地表反照率的一种新方法及其反演试验

在参考国内外卫星遥感反演地表反照率方法的基础上,提出了一种反演多云地区地表反照率的新方法,称之为组合反演法。对于受云影响而无法获得足够的晴空观测数据的像素点,在遥感地表分类数据和归一化植被指数（NDVI） 数据的辅助下,在其周围的有限范围内选择与其具有相同BRDF形状的像素点,将它们在观测角度上互为补充的晴空观测数据组合成对同一个BRDF形状的一组多角度观测数据,达到一定数量后直接利用线性的RossThick-LiSparse互易核驱动模型反演二向反射分布函数（BRDF）参数。然后,根据“16天”期间平均的当地正午太阳高度角计算反照率。选择青藏高原地区2004年6～8月间5组“16天”的Terra MODIS数据进行的反演试验表明,该方法不仅具有反演多云地区地表反照率的能力,而且能够更好地反映实际的地表信息,反演结果的精度与美国MOD43产品的精度相当。     

青藏高原MODIS地表反照率和GLASS地表反照率的对比分析

对比分析了青藏高原MODIS地表反照率产品和GLASS地表反照率产品的空间分布连续性、高质量反演结果的比例,应用青藏高原CAMP/Tibet试验期间的高精度观测数据评估了两种产品的精度,通过人工目视解译MODIS地表反射率图像并结合MODIS积雪产品分析了影响两种产品精度的原因,结果表明：1）GLASS地表反照率产品具有比MODIS地表反照率产品更好的空间分布连续性和更高的反演质量;2）绝大多数时段内两种产品都能与地面观测结果保持较好的一致性,能准确地反映地表反照率的异常变化过程;3）局地积雪是影响两种产品精度的重要因素之一;4）积雪条件下,GLASS地表反照率反演算法比MODIS地表反照率反演算法更具优势。研究结果有助于促进人们对地表反照率卫星遥感反演产品的认识,改进青藏高原地表反照率卫星遥感反演算法,提高青藏高原地表反照率卫星遥感反演结果的精度、反演质量和空间分布连续性。     

中国中东部MODIS与MISR气溶胶光学厚度的对比

Terra/MODIS前一版本C4和最新版本C5的气溶胶光学厚度(AOT Aerosol OpticalThickness)数据,以及搭载于同一卫星上的Terra/MISR气溶胶光学厚度数据,在中国中东部地区存在差异。本文利用AERONET气溶胶光学厚度数据对以上三种资料验证的结果表明:MODIS气溶胶算法改进之后得到的C5 AOT数据较C4精度确有很大提高,且优于MISR的AOT数据。     

一种反演气溶胶光学厚度的改进方法

该文提出了一种简单快速反演气溶胶光学厚度的方法,该算法对地表反照率的处理与MODIS V5.2算法相同,但气溶胶谱分布假定为Junge谱,设置了新的气溶胶参数。应用2006年9月6日—2008年6月10日太湖MODIS观测资料和2008年5月20日—2009年7月6日香河MODIS观测资料进行反演,并将反演结果与AERONET (AErosol RObotic NETwork) 站点资料进行对比,以检验算法的适用性和精度。对比结果显示:该算法在太湖的反演结果与AERONET太湖站反演结果对比的标准偏差为0.429,而MODIS卫星AOD产品与AERONET太湖站反演结果对比的标准偏差为0.693;相应在香河的两种反演结果与地面观测对比的标准偏差分别为0.493和0.542。该算法的反演误差小于MODIS现行算法,反演结果合理,具有较好的适用性,说明这种方法在这两个区域具有更高的反演精度。     

Retrieval of aerosol optical properties over a vegetation surface using multi-angular,multi-spectral,and polarized data

An algorithm to retrieve aerosol optical properties using multi-angular,multi-spectral,and polarized data without a priori knowledge of the land surface was developed.In the algorithm,the surface polarized reflectance was estimated by eliminating the atmospheric scattering from measured polarized reflectance at 1640 nm.A lookup table （LUT） and an iterative method were adopted in the algorithm to retrieve the aerosol optical thickness （AOT,at 665 nm） and the （A）ngstr（o）m exponent （computed between the AOTs at 665 and 865 nm）.Experiments were performed in Tianjin to verify the algorithm.Data were provided by a newly developed airborne instrument,the Advanced Atmosphere Multi-angle Polarization Radiometer （AMPR）.The AMPR measurements over the target field agreed well with the nearby ground-based sun photometer.An algorithm based on Research Scanning Polarimeter （RSP） measurements was introduced to validate the observational measurements along a flight path over Tianjin.The retrievals were consistent between the two algorithms.The AMPR algorithm shows potential in retrieving aerosol optical properties over a vegetation surface.     

利用AVHRR数据反演陆地气溶胶光学厚度

开发AVHRR可见光通道反演陆地气溶胶光学厚度 (AOD) 的算法对于研究长时间序列AOD的变化有重要意义。AVHRR由于缺少2.1 μm通道而不能采用MODIS的暗背景算法,该文利用背景合成算法进行陆地AOD反演。背景合成算法是指假设一段时间内地表反射率变化不大且会出现相对清洁大气, 采用最小值合成即可得到地表反射率,再通过辐射传输模式6S制作的查算表查算得到AOD的反演结果。将此算法应用到2009年AVHRR中国部分陆地区域 (15°~45°N,75°~135°E) 得到AOD的时空分布,将反演结果与同期Aqua/MODIS的MOD04 AOD产品进行对比分析表明,华北和华东地区的反演效果较好,西北地区结果较差。以长江三角洲地区为例可知,AVHRR AOD产品与MODIS AOD产品以及AERONET观测的AOD相比相关系数基本在0.6以上,从时间变化规律来看,AVHRR AOD和MODIS AOD产品年变化趋势具有很好的一致性。该文为建立长时间序列AVHRR AOD数据集提供了一个较为可行的方法。     

The Seasonal Variations of Aerosols over East Asia as Jointly Inferred from MODIS and OMI

Data on aerosol optical thickness(AOT) and single scattering albedo(SSA) derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer(MODIS) and Ozone Monitoring Instrument(OMI) measurements,respectively,are used jointly to examine the seasonal variations of aerosols over East Asia.The seasonal signals of the total AOT are well defined and nearly similar over the land and over the ocean.These findings indicate a natural cycle of aerosols that originate primarily from natural emissions. In contrast,the small-sized aerosols represented by the fine-mode AOT,which are primarily generated over the land by human activities,do not have evident seasonalscale fluctuations.A persistent maximum of aerosol loadings centered over the Sichuan basin is associated with considerable amounts of fine-mode aerosols throughout the year.Most regions exhibit a general spring maximum. During the summer,however,the aerosol loadings are the most marked over north central China.This occurrence may result from anthropogenic fine particles,such as sulfate and nitrate.Four typical regions were selected to perform a covariation analysis of the monthly gridded AOT and SSA.Over southwestern and southeastern China,if the aerosol loadings are small to moderate they are composed primarily of the highly absorptive aerosols. However,more substantial aerosol loadings probably represent less-absorptive aerosols.The opposite covariation pattern occurring over the coastal-adjacent oceans suggests that the polluted oceanic atmosphere is closely correlated with the windward terrestrial aerosols.North central China is strongly affected by dust aerosols that show moderate absorption.This finding may explain the lower variability in the SSA that accompanies increasing aerosol loadings in this region.     

利用多通道MODIS遥感资料反演沙尘气溶胶尺度分布的个例试验

为了利用水面进行大气气溶胶粒子尺度分布的反演,需要水体光谱反射率资料;本文利用水库上空MODIS观测的表观反射率资料来订正出实际的水体光谱反射率。假设在干旱的春季水库水面反射率变化不大,用订正的水库水面光谱反射率平均值进行大气气溶胶尺度分布的反演。从两天个例研究来看,利用多通道MODIS资料可以反演出大气气溶胶粒子的尺度变化。结合天气分析2002年4月11日水库上空气溶胶光学厚度增加、粒子变粗,是由于上游区域的沙尘在高空强西北气流引导下到达本地区。     

应用6S模式对EOS-MODIS可见光到中红外波段的大气订正

应用6S辐射传输模式对MODIS可见光到中红外波段的反射率进行大气订正，订正过程分两步进行:首先设定地表为朗伯体，再应用二向反射模型BRDF进行订正，订正结果与美国MODIS研究组应用MAS实验结果进行比较表明，两者变化趋势是一致的；经过臭氧、水汽、气溶胶等散射吸收订正，对于一定范围的反射率，大气订正使植被区红光波段反射率ρ₁降低、近红外波段反射率ρ₂增加，蓝光波段反射率ρ₃降低；大气订正后，归一化植被指数I_NDV较大气订正前有所增加，增加的最大值为0.104，抗土壤-大气植被指数IEV值略有减小，减小的最大值为0.005。     

近年来华东地区大气气溶胶的时空特征

利用2000年2月—2008年12月的AERONET（AErosol RObotic NETwork）地基观测数据对MODIS/TERRA Collection 005气溶胶光学厚度（aerosol optical thickness;AOT）在华东区域的适用性进行了验证,并利用验证后的MODIS气溶胶产品对华东区域气溶胶光学厚度和尺度分布特征进行了分析。结果表明,（1）通过验证比较,MODIS的AOT在华东区域与AERONET站陆基观测到的AOT具有非常好的一致性,满足美国NASA的设计要求。（2）华东区域的气溶胶光学厚度存在明显的时空分布特征。时间上,在春季和夏季达到最大,而在秋季和冬季最小,表现出明显的季节变化规律。空间上,气溶胶光学厚度受地形影响明显。其高值区主要分布在平原地区,而低值区主要在海拔较高的山区。（3）该区域的气溶胶尺度分布也存在显著的变化特征。在冬、春由于沙尘输送的影响,整个华东区域气溶胶粒子的尺度都比较大,主要以自然生成的沙尘粒子为主。而在夏、秋季由于夏季风和降水的影响,气溶胶粒子的尺度都比较小,以工业排放的人为气溶胶粒子为主。     

中国海域MODIS气溶胶光学厚度检验分析

利用MODIS的Collection 005版本（MODIS—C005）数据的气溶胶光学厚度（AOT）产品,与我国海域多个AERONET观测站点太阳光度计测量得到的AOT结果进行了对比分析,对MODIS_C005数据的气溶胶产品在我国海域进行了验证,并对验证方法进行了探讨。结果表明,MODIS—C005的AOT在我国海域与AERONET站陆基观测到的AOT具有非常好的一致性,相关系数达到0．9以上。通过尝试不同的验证方法,发现验证数据的空间采样窗口大小的选择对于验证效果具有较大的影响,在中国海域可以使用30km×30km的空间采样窗口。通过MODIS—C005的AOT与AERONET站观测值在中国各个海区的比较,证明MODIS—C005的AOT在550nm满足美国NASA的设计要求,误差控制在±0．05±0．057τ,适用于我国海域,可以用于中国海域的气象和海洋等科学研究。     

应用MODIS数据反演青藏高原地区地表反照率

应用RossThick-LiTransit核驱动BRDF（bidirectional reflectance distribution function）模型,选择2004年Terra MODIS（moderate resolution imaging spectraradiometer）500 m分辨率数据,对青藏高原地区的地表反照率进行了反演研究,并以平均气溶胶光学厚度值0.11计算了正午时（北京时间12：00）实际的地表反照率,反演结果与当地的地表覆盖类型和地形具有较好的一致性。此外,藏北高原4个辐射观测站点观测资料与反演结果的比较表明,500 m分辨率反演结果不仅可以满足气候和陆面过程模式的精度要求,而且精度高于美国1 km分辨率反照率反演结果。     

Synergistic use of AIRS and MODIS for dust top height retrieval over land

It is nontrivial to extract the dust top height(DTH) accurately from passive instruments over land due to the complexity of the surface conditions. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS) deep blue(DB) algorithm can be used to infer the aerosol optical depth(AOD) over high-reflective surfaces. The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder(AIRS) can simultaneously obtain the DTH and optical depth information. This study focuses on the synergistic use of AIRS observations and MODIS DB results for improving the DTH by using a stable relationship between the AIRS infrared and MODIS DB AODs. A one-dimensional variational(1DVAR) algorithm is applied to extract the DTH from AIRS. Simulation experiments indicate that when the uncertainty of the dust optical depth decreases from 50% to 20%, the improvement of the DTH retrieval accuracy from AIRS reaches 200 m for most of the assumed dust conditions. For two cases over the Taklimakan Desert, the results are compared against Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization(CALIOP) measurements. The results confirm that the MODIS DB product could help extract the DTH over land from AIRS.