Abstract
Aerosol optical depth (AOD) is a measure of aerosol loading in an atmospheric column. The satellite-based measurements can cover a large area, providing a means to study aerosol effects at a global scale. However, in the early years, such datasets are only available over the ocean, such as from the AVHRR measure- ments. TOMS is the first satellite sensor capable of deriving aerosol properties over both land and ocean but the measurement accuracy has been affected by its large footprint (∼50 km) and strong altitude dependence. MODIS (Salomonson et al., 1989) is one of the sensors designed to measure aerosol properties onboard the EOS (Earth Observing System) Terra (launched on 18 December, 1999) and Aqua (launched on 4 May, 2002) satellites launched into Sun-synchronous orbits with equator-crossing times at around 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. respectively. The unique set of seven MODIS channels (0.47, 0.55, 0.67, 0.87, 1.24, 1.64, and 2.1 µm) with 250 – 500 m resolutions enables us not only to derive aerosol optical depth but also other parameters, for example, fine-mode fraction over land and fine-mode fraction and effective radius over ocean. It is expected to aid significantly in studying aerosol effects on Earth’s energy budget and hydrological cycle.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Ackerman SA, Strabala KI, Menzel WP et al. (1998) Discriminating clear-sky from clouds with MODIS. J Geophys Res 103(32): 141–158
Al-Saadi J, Szykman J, Pierce B, Kittaka C, Neil D, Chu DA, Remer L, Gumley L, Prins E, Weinstock L, Clinton MD, Wayland R, Dimmick F (2005) Improving National Air Quality Forecasts with Satellite Aerosol Observations, BAMS, 86(9), 1,249–1,261
Chou MD, Chan P-K, Wang M (2002) Aerosol radiative forcing derived from SeaWiFS-retrieved aerosol optical properties, J. Atmos. Sci., 59(3), 748–757
Chu DA, Kaufman YJ, Remer LA et al. (1998) Remote sensing of smoke from MODIS airborne simulator during SCAR-B experiment. J Geophys Res 103(31): 979–987
Chu DA, Strabala K, Platnick S, Mattoo S, Hucek R, Ridgeway B (2000) MODIS Atmosphere QA Plan. EOS Project Office, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, available on http://modis-atmos.gsfc.nasa.gov
Chu DA, Kaufman YJ, Ichoku C et al., (2002) Validation of MODIS aerosol optical depth retrieval over land. Geophys Res Lett 29(12): doi 10.1029/2001GL013205
Chu DA, Kaufman YJ, Zibordi G, Chern J-D, Mao J-M, Li C, Holben HB (2003) Global Monitoring of Air Pollution over Land from EOS-Terra MODIS. J Geophys Res 108(D21):4661, doi: 10.1029/2002JD003179
Chu DA, Remer LA, Kaufman YJ, Schmid B, Redemann J, Knobelspiesse K, Chern J-D, Livingston J, Russell P, Xiong X, Ridgway W (2005) Evaluation of aerosol properties over ocean from MODIS during ACE-Asia, J. Geophys. Res., 110, D07308, doi:10.1029/2004JD005208
Edwards DP, Emmons LK, Hauglustaine DA, Chu DA, Gille JC, Kaufman YJ, Petron G, Yurganov LN, Giglio L, Deeter MN, Yudin V, Ziskin DC, Warner J, Lamarque J-F, Francis GL, Ho SP, Mao D, Chen J, Grechko EI, Drummond JR (2004) Observations of carbon monoxide and aerosols from the Terra satellite: northern hemisphere variability. Submitted J Geophys Res
Gao B-C, Kaufman YJ, Tanre D, Li RR (2002) Distinguishing tropospheric aerosols from thin cirrus clouds for improved aerosol retrievals using the ratio 1.38 µm and 1.24 µm channels. Geosphys Res Lett 29(18): 1890, doi: 10.1029/2002GL015475
Hutchison KD (2003) Applications of MODIS satellite data and products for monitoring air quality in the state of Texas. Atmos Environ 37(2): 403–412
Ichoku C, Remer LA, Kaufman YJ, Levy R, Chu DA, Tanré D, Holben BN (2003) MODIS observation of aerosols and estimation of aerosol radiative forcing over southern Africa during SAFARI 2000, J. Geophys. Res., 108(D13), 8499, doi: 10.1029/2002JD002366
Kaufman YJ, Tanre D, Remer LA, Vermote EF, Chu DA, Holben BN (1997a) Operational remote sensing of tropospheric aerosol over the land from EOS-MODIS. J Geophys Res 102(17): 051–061
Kaufman YJ, Wald A, Remer LA, Gao B-C, Li R-R, Flynn L (1997b) The MODIS 2.1 µm channel-Correlation with visible reflectance for use in remote sensing of aerosol. IEEE Trans Geosci Remote Sens 35(5): 1,286–1,298
Kaufman YJ, Gobron N, Pinty B, Widlowski J-L, Verstraete MM (2002) Relationship between surface reflectance in the visible and mid-IR used in MODIS aerosol algorithm-theory. Geophys Res Lett 29(23): 2116, doi: 10.1029/2001GL014492
Levy RC, Remer LA, Tanré D et al. (2003) Evaluation of the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) retrievals of dust aerosol over the ocean during PRIDE. J Geophys Res 108(D19): 8594, doi: 10.1029/2002JD002460
Li R-R, Kaufman YJ, Gao B-C, Davis CO (2003) Remote sensing of suspended sediments and shallow coastal waters. IEEE Trans Geosci Remote Sens 41(3): 559–566
Martins JV, Tanré D, Remer L, Kaufman Y, Mattoo S, Levy R (2002) MODIS Cloud screening for remote sensing of aerosol over oceans using spatial variability. Geophys Res Lett 29(12): 10.1029/2001GL013252
NASA (2003) The Application of Satellite Data to Particle Pollution. NASA Technical Memorandum, November 2003
Rasch PJ, Barth MC, Kiehl JT, Schwartz SE, Benkovitz CM (2000) A description of the global sulfur cycle and its controlling processes in the National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Climate Model. Version 3, J Geophys Res 105: 1,367–1,385
Remer LA, Tanre D, Kaufman YJ, Ichoku C, Mattoo S, Levy R, Chu DA, Holben B, Dubovik O, Smirnov A, Martins JV, Li R-R, Ahmad Z (2002) Validation of MODIS aerosol retrieval over ocean. J Geophys Res 29(12): 10.1029/2001GL013204
Remer LA, Kaufman YJ, Tanré D, Mattoo S, Chu DA, Martins JV, Li R-R, Ichoku C, Levy RC Kleidman RG, Eck TF, Vermote E, Holben BN (2005) The MODIS Aerosol Algorithm, Products and Validation, J. Atmos. Sci., 62(4), 947–973
Solomonson V et al. (1989) MODIS advanced facility instrument for studies of the earth as a system. IEEE Trans on Geos And Remote Sens 27(2): 145–153
Stowe L, Ignatov A, Singh R (1997) Development, validation and potential enhancements to the second-generation operational aerosol product at the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, of the National, Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, J. Geophys. Res., 102: 16,923–16,934
Tanré D, et al. (1999) Retrieval of aerosol optical thickness and size distribution over ocean from MODIS/EOS spectral radiances, J. Geophys. Res., 104, 2,261–2,278
Tanré D, Kaufman YJ, Herman M, Mattoo S (1997) Remote sensing of aerosol properties over oceans using the MODIS/EOS spectral radiances. J Geophys Res 102: 16,971–16,988
Wang J, Christopher SA (2003) Intercomparison between satellite-derived aerosol optical thickness and PM2.5 mass: Implication for air quality studies: Geophys Res Lett 30(21): 2095, doi:10.1029/2003GL018174
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2006 Tsinghua University Press, Beijing and Springer-Verlag GmbH Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Chu, D.A., Remer, L. (2006). MODIS Observation of Aerosol Loading from 2000 to 2004. In: Qu, J.J., Gao, W., Kafatos, M., Murphy, R.E., Salomonson, V.V. (eds) Earth Science Satellite Remote Sensing. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-37293-6_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-37293-6_6
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-35606-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-37293-6
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)