6533b820fe1ef96bd1279d1f

RESEARCH PRODUCT

A multi-instrument approach for characterizing the atmospheric aerosol optical thickness during the STAAARTE/DAISEX-99 campaign

subject

description

This work deals with the retrieval of the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) needed to carry out the atmospheric correction of remote sensing data measured in Barrax (Spain) on 4 June 1999 in the framework of 1999 Digital Airbone Imaging Spectrometer Experiment (DAISEX'99). The AOT was estimated through three approaches based on: spectral extinction of direct solar irradiance at ground level, airborne nephelometer measurements at different altitudes, and backscatter lidar in the lower troposphere. We found extremely low AOT values due to a cold Atlantic front that swept across the Iberian Peninsula from west to east producing light rain over the test area on 2 June 1999. The results were solar irradiance extinction: 0.085±0.018; nephelometer: 0.063±0.020; lidar: 0.083±0.030. Nephelometer‐ and lidar‐derived values account for both extinction and absorption, assuming a single scattering albedo value of 0.90. Errors values include measurements and retrieval uncertainties as well as statistical variability. This work was supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) through the Observation Preparatory Program and the European Commission through STAAARTE Program.