An 11-year global gridded aerosol optical thickness reanalysis (v1.0) for atmospheric and climate sciences

Abstract

Abstract. While stand alone satellite and model aerosol products see wide utilization, there is a significant need in numerous atmospheric and climate applications for a fused product on a regular grid. Aerosol data assimilation is an operational reality at numerous centers, and like meteorological reanalyses, aerosol reanalyses will see significant use in the near future. Here we present a standardized 2003–2013 global 1 × 1° and 6-hourly modal aerosol optical thickness (AOT) reanalysis product. This data set can be applied to basic and applied Earth system science studies of significant aerosol events, aerosol impacts on numerical weather prediction, and electro-optical propagation and sensor performance, among other uses. This paper describes the science of how to develop and score an aerosol reanalysis product. This reanalysis utilizes a modified Navy Aerosol Analysis and Prediction System (NAAPS) at its core and assimilates quality controlled retrievals of AOT from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on Terra and Aqua and the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) on Terra. The aerosol source functions, including dust and smoke, were regionally tuned to obtain the best match between the model fine- and coarse-mode AOTs and the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) AOTs. Other model processes, including deposition, were tuned to minimize the AOT difference between the model and satellite AOT. Aerosol wet deposition in the tropics is driven with satellite-retrieved precipitation, rather than the model field. The final reanalyzed fine- and coarse-mode AOT at 550 nm is shown to have good agreement with AERONET observations, with global mean root mean square error around 0.1 for both fine- and coarse-mode AOTs. This paper includes a discussion of issues particular to aerosol reanalyses that make them distinct from standard meteorological reanalyses, considerations for extending such a reanalysis outside of the NASA A-Train era, and examples of how the aerosol reanalysis can be applied or fused with other model or remote sensing products. Finally, the reanalysis is evaluated in comparison with other available studies of aerosol trends, and the implications of this comparison are discussed.

Effect of Heat Wave Conditions on Aerosol Optical Properties Derived from Satellite and Ground-Based Remote Sensing over Poland

“…The results of the Navy Aerosol Analysis and Prediction System-NAAPS model [50] simulations (http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/aerosol) providing maps of AOD, sulphates, smoke and dust for Europe are given in Figure 5. A clear peak-patch of sulphate concentrations (16-32 µg/m 3 ) in Germany (in the Region of Saxony and on the west side of the borders with the Poland and Czech Republic) is seen for all days but 15 September.…”

New approach to the retrieval of AOD and its uncertainty from MISR observations over dark water

“…An example of a remotely sensed geophysical parameter that is being increasingly used in data assimilation applications is the aerosol optical depth (AOD) (Lynch et al, 2016;Shi et al, 2011Zhang et al, 2008;Zhang and Reid, 2006. AOD represents the total extinction by aerosol particles in the atmospheric column from the surface to the top of the atmosphere.…”

Performance of MODIS C6 Aerosol Product during Frequent Haze-Fog Events: A Case Study of Beijing

“…Furthermore, detailed PM 2.5 concentrations measured by two air quality monitoring stations close to the two AERONET stations were also collected to characterize the air quality. The major objectives of this study are to: (1) investigate the performance of the MODIS AOD product under different air quality situations; and (2) to figure out whether these AOD products are suitable for PM 2.5 retrieval in frequent haze-fog areas such as Beijing.…”

“…Aerosols are important components of the atmosphere that can affect atmospheric environment [1], weather [2], climate [3], and human health [4]. Aerosol particles in the atmosphere absorb and scatter incident solar radiation, and affect the Earth's radiation budget [5].…”