Multi-satellite retrieval of single scattering albedo using the OMI-MODIS algorithm

Eswaran, Kruthika and Satheesh, Sreedharan Krishnakumari and Srinivasan, Jayaraman (2019) Multi-satellite retrieval of single scattering albedo using the OMI-MODIS algorithm. In: ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, 19 (5). pp. 3307-3324.

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Abstract

Single scattering albedo (SSA) represents a unique identification of aerosol type and can be a determinant factor in the estimation of aerosol radiative forcing. However, SSA retrievals are highly uncertain due to cloud contamination and aerosol composition. The recent improvement in the SSA retrieval algorithm has combined the superior cloud-masking technique of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and the higher sensitivity of the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) to aerosol absorption. The combined OMI-MODIS algorithm has only been validated over a small spatial and temporal scale. The present study validates the algorithm over global oceans for the period from 2008 to 2012. The geographical heterogeneity in the aerosol type and concentration over the Atlantic Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal was useful to delineate the effect of aerosol type on the retrieval algorithm. We also noted that OMI overestimated SSA when absorbing aerosols were present closer to the surface. We attribute this overestimation to data discontinuity in the aerosol height climatology derived from the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) satellite. OMI uses predefined aerosol heights over regions where CALIPSO climatology is not present, leading to the overestimation of SSA. The importance of aerosol height was also studied using the Santa Barbara DISORT Atmospheric Radiative Transfer (SBDART) model. The results from the joint retrievals were validated using cruise-based measurements. It as seen that OMI-MODIS SSA retrievals performed better than the OMI only retrieval over the Bay of Bengal during winter, when the aerosols are present closer to the surface. Discrepancy between satellite retrievals and cruise measurements was seen when elevated aerosols were present which might not have been detected by the cruise instruments.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
Publisher:	COPERNICUS GESELLSCHAFT MBH
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to COPERNICUS GESELLSCHAFT MBH
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Divecha Centre for Climate Change Division of Mechanical Sciences > Centre for Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences
Date Deposited:	24 May 2019 14:51
Last Modified:	24 May 2019 14:51
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/62470

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