Open AccessEvaluations of cirrus contamination and screening in ground aerosol observations using collocated lidar systems
Author(s) -
Huang Jingfeng,
Hsu N. Christina,
Tsay SiChee,
Holben Brent N.,
Welton Ellsworth J.,
Smirnov Alexander,
Jeong MyeongJae,
Hansell Richard A.,
Berkoff Timothy A.,
Liu Zhaoyan,
Liu GinRong,
Campbell James R.,
Liew Soo Chin,
Barnes John E.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: atmospheres
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2012jd017757
Subject(s) - cirrus , aeronet , lidar , aerosol , environmental science , remote sensing , optical depth , satellite , meteorology , atmospheric sciences , geology , geography , physics , astronomy
Cirrus clouds, particularly subvisual high thin cirrus with low optical thickness, are difficult to screen in operational aerosol retrieval algorithms. Collocated aerosol and cirrus observations from ground measurements, such as the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) and the Micro‐Pulse Lidar Network (MPLNET), provide us with an unprecedented opportunity to systematically examine the susceptibility of operational aerosol products to cirrus contamination. Quality assured aerosol optical thickness (AOT) measurements were also tested against the Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) vertical feature mask (VFM) and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) thin cirrus screening parameters for the purpose of evaluating cirrus contamination. Key results of this study include: (1) quantitative evaluations of data uncertainties in AERONET AOT retrievals are conducted; although AERONET cirrus screening schemes are successful in removing most cirrus contamination, strong residuals displaying strong spatial and seasonal variability still exist, particularly over thin cirrus prevalent regions during cirrus peak seasons; (2) challenges in matching up different data for analysis are highlighted and corresponding solutions proposed; and (3) estimates of the relative contributions from cirrus contamination to aerosol retrievals are discussed. The results are valuable for better understanding and further improving ground aerosol measurements that are critical for aerosol‐related climate research.