On the origin of seasonal variation of aerosol optical thickness in UV range over Belsk,Poland

Aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and seasonal variation of AOT over Belsk, Poland, in the UV wavelength range (310–380 nm) have been analysed using results of measurements by Brewer spectrophotometer No. 064 and Cimel sunphotometer data for the 2002–2007 period. The comparison of AOT derived from direct Sun measurements by Brewer spectrophotometer in the 310–320 nm range and retrieved from Cimel measurements at longer wavelengths shows good correlation (R = 0.96), with overestimation of retrieved values compared to the measured ones by about 6%. Basing on aerosol microphysical properties taken from almucantar retrievals and Mie theory, optical properties of aerosol in the UV range has been calculated. Analysis of seasonal variation of AOT at Belsk reveals two maxima: in April and July–August. Analysis of back-trajectories in conjunction with analysis of fire maps from Fire Information For Resource Management System shows that these seasonal maxima are connected with seasonal biomass burning in Eastern and Southern Europe.     

High resolution aerosol optical thickness retrieval over the Pearl River Delta region with improved aerosol modelling

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, a new aerosol retrieval algorithm using the MODIS 500 m resolution image...     

A method to estimate concentrations of surface-level particulate matter using satellite-based aerosol optical thickness

We propose a new method to estimate surface-level particulate matter(PM)concentrations by using satellite-retrieved Aerosol Optical Thickness(AOT).This method considers the distribution and variation of Planetary Boundary Layer(PBL)height and relative humidity(RH)at the regional scale.The method estimates surface-level particulate matter concentrations using the data simulated by an atmospheric boundary layer model RAMS and satellite-retrieved AOT.By incorporation MODIS AOT,PBL height and RH simulated by RAMS,this method is applied to estimate the surface-level PM 2.5 concentrations in North China region.The result is evaluated by using 16 ground-based observations deployed in the research region,and the result shows a good agreement between estimated PM 2.5 concentrations and observations,and the coefficient of determination R2 is 0.61 between the estimated PM 2.5 concentrations and the observations.In addition,surface-level PM 2.5 concentrations are also estimated by using MODIS AOT,ground-based LIDAR observations and RH measurements.A comparison between the two estimated PM 2.5 concentrations shows that the new method proposed in this paper is better than the traditional method.The coefficient of determination R2 is improved from 0.32 to 0.62.     

Effects of polarization calibration on aerosol optical depth retrieval: An ocean case sensitivity analysis

Reflectance measurements of both the visible and infrared bands of passive remote sensing sensors are widely used to retrieve aerosol optical depth(AOD) information. This is performed commonly for data obtained over both ocean and land, and these measurements allow for the off line development of a lookup table using radiative transfer models. Owing to molecular and aerosol effects, the reflected light received by the sensor is usually highly polarized. The linear polarization effect may be up to 100%, and the polarization factor of a sensor optical system will change the total intensity as well as the polarization status of the signal reaching the detector. The detector response will be different when the incident light polarization status changes, even if the total intensity remains constant. However, if the polarization calibration is neglected, it will cause obvious errors in the aerosol data retrieval. This is especially true for aerosol optical depth retrieval over an ocean. This measurement relies directly on the reflectance output of the sensor. Cases involving land surfaces are not discussed herein because the inhomogeneous properties conceal the error due to polarization. Taking the 550 and 860 nm bands as examples, the difference between the real top-of-atmosphere(TOA) reflectance and the reflectance reaching the detector is calculated using three different sensor polarization standards according to the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor(Sea Wi FS) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS) standards. The differences in AOD retrieval are also demonstrated using the lookup table developed previously from a vector radiative transfer code. The results reveal that under a normal situation in which the AOD is 0.15, the maximum AOD retrieval error could reach 0.04 in 550 nm but only 0.02 in 860 nm for the dust aerosol model. For the soot aerosol model, the maximum AOD retrieval error is 0.1 in 550 nm and 0.12 in 860 nm, indicating that the lack of polarization calibration will lead to large errors in aerosol retrieval over an ocean.     

Spatial and temporal variations of atmospheric aerosol optical thickness in northwestern Mexico

The purpose of this paper was to study aerosol particles in the Northwestern region of Mexico (NWM) through Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT) parameter in the atmosphere. This parameter represents one of the extinction coefficients of solar radiation and the rate of suspended particles in the atmosphere. For determination of AOT, we considered the use of remote sensors outside of the atmosphere. In particular, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) which can measure the atmospheric AOT thickness. Data from the MODIS sensor must be validated before they are considered reliable. For this task, we required surface measurements to obtain a correlation with the data acquired with the remote radiometer. The paper describes the validation process performed for data obtained with MODIS through measurements provided by an AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) photometer located in the city of Hermosillo, Sonora, NWM. Additionally, we carried out a temporal analysis based on the behavior of the AOT graphics and spatial analysis supported in maps with sufficient information.     

Aerosol optical thickness retrieval over the Atlantic Ocean using GOES imager data

An algorithm based on simulated satellite signal calculated by the 6S radiative transfer model has been developed in order to retrieve the aerosol optical thickness of dust over the Atlantic ocean. The algorithm is applied to the visible channel of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES 8) images. The inversion uses a look-up table giving the satellite signal intensity as a function of surface albedo, viewing geometry, solar illumination and the optical properties of the aerosols. The study consists of assessing the feasibility of monitoring and mapping the transport of suspended particles across the Atlantic from the Sahara to the Caribbean. The study area is between 10 and 25 N and 30 and 65 W. The optical thickness of aerosols has been calculated over a period of 11 days between 10th and 20th of June 1997 for the 14:15 UT GOES image acquisition. The calculated aerosol optical thickness ranges from 0.0 to 0.81 with an important event of dust presence occurring between 13th and 16th of June. The retrieved aerosol optical thickness is in good agreement with the values obtained between 14h UT and 15h UT from ground based sun photometer measurements on the island of Guadeloupe, and a coefficient correlation (R²) of 0.88 has been found between the data sets.     

A multiyear analysis of aerosol optical thickness over Europe and Central Poland using NAAPS model simulation

This study contains a comparative analysis of aerosol optical thickness (AOT) between numerical calculations obtained from the Navy Aerosol Analysis and Prediction System (NAAPS) model and direct observations from the AERONET robotic network and the Saharan Aerosol over WArsaw (SAWA) field campaign. AOT was calculated for 500 nm wavelength. The comparison shows underestimation of the total aerosol optical thickness simulated by NAAPS. The correlation coefficients between model and observation oscillates between 0.57 and 0.72. Results of seven-year (1998–2004) NAAPS simulation of aerosol components (sea salt, mineral dust, sulphate, and smoke) show large temporal and spatial variability of the aerosol optical thickness over Europe. The least polluted region is the Iberian Peninsula, while the highest aerosol burdens occurred in Central Europe, mostly due to anthropogenic sulphate particles. Finally, the analysis of mineral dust transport shows frequent episodes of Saharan dust inflow over Central Europe. There are about 20 days a year (4 days in May) when instantaneous AOT associated with mineral dust aerosol increases over 0.1.     

An alternative practical design method for structures with viscoelastic dampers

Viscoelastic dampers (VEDs) are one of the most common passive control devices used in new and retrofit building projects which reduce the structure responses and dissipate seismic energy during an earthquake. Various methods to design this kind of dampers have been proposed based on the desired level of additional damping, eigenvalue assignment, modal strain energy, linear quadratic regulator control theories, and other approaches. In the current engineering practice, the popular method is the one based on the modal strain energy that uses the inter-story lateral stiffness as one of the main variables for damper design. However, depending on the configuration of the structure, in some cases the resulting interstory lateral stiffness can be very large. Consequently, the dampers size would also be large producing much more damping than that effectively necessary, resulting in an increase of the overall cost of the supplemental damping system and causing excessive stress on the structural elements connected to the dampers. In this paper an alternative practical design method for structures with VEDs is proposed. This method uses the inter-story shear forces as one of the main variables to accomplish the damper design compared to what was done in previous studies. Nonlinear time-history analyses were conducted on a 7-story reinforced concrete (RC) structure to check the reliability and effectiveness of the proposed method. Comparisons on the seismic performance between the structure without dampers and that equipped with VEDs were carried out. It is concluded that the proposed method results in a very suitable size of dampers, which are able to improve the performance of the structure at all levels of earthquake ground motions and satisfying the drift requirement prescribed in the codes.     

Assessment of the UV camera sulfur dioxide retrieval for point source plumes

Digital cameras, sensitive to specific regions of the ultra-violet (UV) spectrum, have been employed for quantifying sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions in recent years. The instruments make use of the selective absorption of UV light by SO₂ molecules to determine pathlength concentration. Many monitoring advantages are gained by using this technique, but the accuracy and limitations have not been thoroughly investigated. The effect of some user-controlled parameters, including image exposure duration, the diameter of the lens aperture, the frequency of calibration cell imaging, and the use of the single or paired bandpass filters, have not yet been addressed. In order to clarify methodological consequences and quantify accuracy, laboratory and field experiments were conducted. Images were collected of calibration cells under varying observational conditions, and our conclusions provide guidance for enhanced image collection. Results indicate that the calibration cell response is reliably linear below 1500 ppm m, but that the response is significantly affected by changing light conditions. Exposure durations that produced maximum image digital numbers above 32 500 counts can reduce noise in plume images. Sulfur dioxide retrieval results from a coal-fired power plant plume were compared to direct sampling measurements and the results indicate that the accuracy of the UV camera retrieval method is within the range of current spectrometric methods.     

SVM方法在扇体砂岩厚度预测中的应用

基于小样本学习理论的支持向量机(SVM)方法可用于建立非线性函数预测模型。利用支持向量机方法,根据样本数据采用自动拟合的方法构造核函数,使得建立的关系不仅具有较高的拟合精度,而且具有较好的推广性。地震波的频谱与其波形的关系是互为正、反傅立叶变换的关系,所以地震波的波形及其频谱是同一物理现象的两种不同的表达形式。波形特征沿纵横方向上的变化反映了地层介质在纵横方向上的差异;反射波频谱上的差异则反映了岩性和流体成分的不同以及地层厚度的变化等。直接由地震波波形预测扇体砂岩厚度,不仅充分利用了地震波信息,而且极大地提高了预测模型的准确性。模型及实例验证了该方法的适用性。     

An alternative direct method towards mean dynamic topography computations

An alternative “direct method” to “mean dynamic topography” (MDT) computations using satellite altimetry-derived “mean sea surface” (MSS) and “global geopotential model” (GGM), without direct application of the geoid, is devised. The developed approach, which is based on derivation of an equipotential surface of the gravity field of the Earth that fits to global MSS in least squares sense, is formulated via a constrained optimization problem. The validity of our method is numerically tested by computing a global MDT model based on DNSC08 MSS model and EGM2008 GGM as input data.     

基于VIIRS数据的中国东部气溶胶光学厚度反演算法改进

VⅡRS（Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite）作为MODIS（The MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer）的后继传感器,可在全球范围内实现对气溶胶的连续时空监测.卫星反演的气溶胶光学厚度（Aerosol Optical Depth,AOD）是研究地球能量收支平衡、气候效应和空气质量的重要大气参数.但在中国重污染天气情况下,现有的VⅡRS陆地气溶胶产品存在一定不足.因此,本研究改进云识别方法,优化像元筛选,约束气溶胶类型选择,实现重污染情况下AOD的反演.基于地基AERONET（AErosol RObotic NETwork）的验证结果表明,相比NOAA（National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration）产品,改进后的反演结果克服了反演值偏低的问题,且表现出更好的相关性,RMSE从0.236下降到0.219.为验证在重污染条件下改进算法的适用性和准确性,本文对比了两种污染条件下的反演结果（0.6 < AOD_AERONET < 1和AOD_AERONET > 1）.统计结果表明,在较重污染天气条件下（AOD_AERONET>1）,相比NOAA的AOD产品,本文结果的反演率从32.3%提升为68.8%,回归分析的斜率提高为0.80,相关系数达到0.76,均方根误差为0.307,在增加反演量的同时保证了反演的精度.

     

Simulation and retrieval for spaceborne aerosol and cloud high spectral resolution lidar of China

Clouds and aerosols can significantly affect global climate change and the atmospheric environment,and observing them three-dimensionally with high spatial and temporal resolutions is a long-standing issue.Spaceborne lidars are effective instruments for the vertical detection of clouds and aerosols globally.Numerous Mie scattering lidars were successfully launched and widely used,such as the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization(CALIOP)and Geoscience Laser Altimeter System.However,the retrieval of Mie scattering lidar data is an ill-posed problem that introduces a large uncertainty.The spaceborne Aerosol and Cloud High Spectral Resolution Lidar(ACHSRL)of China is currently under development and scheduled for launch in the near future.The ACHSRL attracted extensive attention,because it can separate Mie and Rayleigh scattering signals and avoid ill-posed retrieval.In this study,we conducted ACHSRL signal simulation and retrieval to explore the potential of the ACHSRL.First,we proposed a simplified scheme for retrieving optical parameters,which reduced the number of equations and intermediate variables of the traditional method and avoided false extrema in the backscatter coefficient retrieval.Additionally,the experiments showed that the backscatter coefficient retrieval was overestimated owing to the influence of the Poisson noise but can be corrected.Second,we examined the feasibility of the strategy of“first retrieving the lidar ratio then retrieving the extinction coefficient”to improve the extinction coefficient retrieval.We found that the retrieval error in the simulated cases can be reduced to less than 1%of the original retrieval error.Furthermore,we discussed the influence of the uncertainty of the iodine filter transmittance on the retrieval of the optical parameters and found that the average relative error was less than 1‰.Finally,we conducted simulation and retrieval based on the atmospheric parameters measured by the CALIOP.Results showed that the relative error in the backscatter and extinction coefficients at night was 12%and 28%for test cases,respectively,which was superior to that in the backscatter and extinction coefficients of the corresponding CALIOP product(i.e.,75%and 82%).This research is significant and useful for the development and application of satellite lidars in the future.     

An alternative method for density variation modeling of the crust based on 3-D gravity inversion

In this paper we are proposing an alternative method for determination of density variations of the crust from constrained inversion of the terrestrial gravity data. The main features of the method can be summarized as follows: (i) Constructing a band-pass filter to remove the long and short wavelength signals from the terrestrial gravity data. (ii) Using an iterative method for stabilization and solution of the inverse problem. The mentioned regularization method is first validated by simulated gravity data and next the methodology is used for development of a new regional density variation model of the crust in three layers based on real gravity data in geographical area of Iran. Application of the band-pass filter to the latter data resulted the residual gravitation variations in the range of − 300 to 50 (mGal) which next based on the iterative method resulted following ranges for residual densities: −120 to 40 (kg/m³) in first layer, −40 to 40 (kg/m³) in second layer, and − 40 to 40 (kg/m³) in third layer.     

Cases of aerosol optical depth estimation in the Athens area,Greece

This work estimates the Ångström turbidity coefficients and investigates the variation of the aerosol optical depth (AOD) in the Athens area, during different atmospheric conditions. The AOD is estimated in the wavelength band of 400–670 nm from direct-beam spectral irradiance measurements using ground-based instrumentation, during an experimental campaign performed in the period 22 September–1 October 2002. All data were collected under clear-sky conditions near the city center of Athens; the AODs were estimated relative to the local zenith to avoid the influence of the optical air mass. The study shows that the AOD is influenced by wind regime and traffic in the Athens area. The Angstrom's turbidity coefficients and the AOD values were found to be higher under the influence of South-sector winds compared to those from the North-sector. Under South-sector low winds, the pollutants are accumulated in the Athens basin. On the contrary, the North-sector winds clean the atmosphere.     

An investigation of the size frequency resolution of an aerosol by the static method of diffusion

Summary Theoretical considerations are put forward for identifying the Dynamic and Static Methods of Diffusion measurements of aerosol particles. On the basic of this equality the Exhaustion Method of Diffusion developed byPollak andMetnieks for the size-frequency resolution of a heterogeneous aerosol by Dynamic Diffusion Methods should be applicable to Static Methods. This hypothesis is tested using a Pollak-Nolan nucleus counter as decay vessel. It is shown that turbulence in the counter is the most serious obstacle against this type of approach to finding the size components of an aerosol. The time involved, the high humidity in the counter and a hypothetical nucleus-free zone are other major difficulties for relatively large Aitken nuclei. It is established, however, that for particles whose diffusion coefficient is of the order of 10^–3 cm² sec^–1, the proposed method should be quite workable.     

Seasonal variability of aerosol optical properties in Darwin,Australia

This paper investigates the annual cycle in aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and Angstrom exponent in Darwin, Australia, a coastal site in the Tropical Warm Pool where the major aerosol sources are biomass burning and sea salt. We have used radiometer measurements from the Tropical Western Pacific Atmospheric Radiation Measurement facility for the period March 2002–June 2003. Strong seasonal cycles in AOT and Angstrom exponent were observed, peaking during the burning season (May–November). Investigation of the spectral dependence of optical thickness showed that the Angstrom formula can be satisfactorily fitted to the AOT data during the burning season but not on summer and autumn afternoons due to the presence of sea salt aerosols.     

An alternative method for estimating densification point velocity based on back propagation artificial neural networks

The establishment of Turkish National Fundamental GPS Network (TNFGN) was completed in 2001 and Large Scale Map and Map Information Production Regulation (LSMMIPR) came into force in 2005 in parallel with the establishment of TNFGN and the increase in the use of GPS applications. TNFGN has been designed as first order GPS network and it comprises second-, third- and fourth-order GPS densification networks. LSMMIPR has required determining the positions of first-, second- and third-order GPS densification (C1, C2 and C3) points with the reference epoch besides the measurement epoch. Therefore, it is necessary to estimate the velocity vectors of the densification points. In practise, the velocity vectors of C1, C2 and C3 points are estimated from TNFGN points or higher-order densification points velocity vectors by interpolation methods but LSMMIPR did not specify the interpolation method for this procedure. The objective of this study is to use a back propagation artificial neural network (BPANN) that has been more widely applied in engineering among all other neural network models for estimating the velocity of the densification point as an alternative to the interpolation methods. BPANN and selected ten interpolation methods are evaluated over a test area, in terms of root mean square error (RMSE). The results showed that the employment of BPANN estimated the densification point velocity (V_X,Y,Z) with a better accuracy (±5.0 mm, ±4.0 mm, ±3.9 mm, respectively) than the interpolation methods in the test area and indicated that BPANN can be a useful tool for estimating point velocity in the densification networks as a real alternative to the interpolation methods.     

An alternative single-step algorithm for dynamic problems

In this paper we consider a one-step form of the weighted residual method for solving equations of motion for discrete structural problems. The resulting time integration algorithm is equivalent to the Newmark method for a restricted but important range of the parameters. The weighted residual treatment of the forcing function permits use of time increments based solely on the expected periods of the structural response, instead of the usual additional restrictions based on the periods of the forcing function. A numerical example is included to illustrate the behaviour of the algorithm for a forced ground motion with both low- and high-frequency components.     

An alternative tectonic model for the Yarlung Zangbo suture zone

The new field investigations along the Yarlung Zangbo ophiolites zone show that these series underwent low green-schist metamorphism and were then fractured and occurred as slabs in tectonic melanges,without regional tectonic polarity.No large shear zone in north-south direction has been identified between ophiolite bodies and flysch layers on both side and a conformable contact relationship can be observed locally between them.A great mass of tectonic mélange has been substantiated as submarine olistolith ...