Analysis of the Asian Dust Aerosol Optical Properties over the Ocean

摘要

[ABSTRACT] An algorithm using the Second Simulation of the Satellite Signal in the Solar Spectrum (6S) radiative transfer code has been developed to analyze the optical properties of aerosols over the ocean using NOAA/AVHRR data. Visible and NIR channel data was utilized to retrieve aerosol optical thickness at 632 nm and 843 nm over the ocean around Japan during clear (non-dust) and Asian dust events in March 18-19, 2002. The sea surface albedo measured during the non-dust events is used as reference, and the relation between the albedo and the optical thickness is derived. Using Mie calculations and bi-lognormal size distribution parameters inferred from measurements, the correlation between the optical thickness of the Asian dust and the digital number of visible and NIR channels is analyzed. Good agreements are found between the simulated results and the optical thickness retrieved from ground-based, Sunphotometer measurements.