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Assimilation of next generation geostationary aerosol optical depth retrievals to improve air quality simulations
Author(s) -
Saide Pablo E.,
Kim Jhoon,
Song Chul H.,
Choi Myungje,
Cheng Yafang,
Carmichael Gregory R.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2014gl062089
Subject(s) - geostationary orbit , environmental science , moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer , data assimilation , air quality index , satellite , remote sensing , aerosol , meteorology , ocean color , climatology , geology , geography , aerospace engineering , engineering
Abstract Planned geostationary satellites will provide aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrievals at high temporal and spatial resolution which will be incorporated into current assimilation systems that use low‐Earth orbiting (e.g., Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)) AOD. The impacts of such additions are explored in a real case scenario using AOD from the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) on board of the Communication, Ocean, and Meteorology Satellite, a geostationary satellite observing northeast Asia. The addition of GOCI AOD into the assimilation system generated positive impacts, which were found to be substantial in comparison to only assimilating MODIS AOD. We found that GOCI AOD can help significantly to improve surface air quality simulations in Korea for dust, biomass burning smoke, and anthropogenic pollution episodes when the model represents the extent of the pollution episodes and retrievals are not contaminated by clouds. We anticipate future geostationary missions to considerably contribute to air quality forecasting and provide better reanalyses for health assessments and climate studies.