Sensitivity analysis of aerosol retrieval algorithms using two-channel satellite radiance data

Igor V. Geogdzhayev; Michael I. Mishchenko

doi:10.1117/12.363609

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5 October 1999 Sensitivity analysis of aerosol retrieval algorithms using two-channel satellite radiance data

Igor V. Geogdzhayev; Michael I. Mishchenko

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Proceedings Volume 3763, Propagation and Imaging through the Atmosphere III; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.363609
Event: SPIE's International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1999, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

We discuss the methodology of interpreting channel 1 and 2 AVHRR radiance data to retrieve tropospheric aerosol properties over the ocean and describe a detailed analysis of the sensitivity of monthly average retrievals to the assumed aerosol models. We use real AVHRR data and accurate numerical techniques for computing single and multiple scattering and spectral absorption of light in the vertically inhomogeneous atmosphere-ocean system. Our analysis shows that two-channel algorithms can provide significantly more accurate retrievals of the aerosol optical thickness than one-channel algorithms and that imperfect cloud screening is the largest source of errors in the retrieved optical thickness. Both underestimating and overestimating aerosol absorption as well as strong variability of the aerosol refractive index may lead to regional and/or seasonal biases in optical thickness retrievals. The Angstrom exponent appears to be the most invariant aerosol size characteristic and should be retrieved along with optical thickness as the second aerosol parameter.

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Igor V. Geogdzhayev and Michael I. Mishchenko "Sensitivity analysis of aerosol retrieval algorithms using two-channel satellite radiance data", Proc. SPIE 3763, Propagation and Imaging through the Atmosphere III, (5 October 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.363609

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