Open AccessMultiple scattering by aerosols as seen from CALIPSO — a Monte-Carlo modelling study
Author(s) -
Michael Kahnert,
Ronald Scheirer
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.27.033683
Subject(s) - monte carlo method , aerosol , lidar , radiative transfer , scattering , optical depth , atmospheric optics , mie scattering , optics , light scattering , atmospheric radiative transfer codes , computational physics , physics , sea salt , environmental science , remote sensing , diffuse sky radiation , meteorology , statistics , mathematics , geology
The impact of multiple scattering (MS) by aerosols on satellite-borne lidar measurements is studied by Monte-Carlo radiative transfer simulations. A total of 48 aerosol scenarios are considered. We find that the frequently used MS correction factor can be parameterized as a function of aerosol size and aerosol optical depth. Its dependencies on vertical distribution and total optical depth can be treated as a random error. We illustrate the use of our parameterization by considering an episode of high sea salt concentrations over the ocean. Neglecting MS, or using a constant value of the MS correction factor, can introduce a negative bias in the computed backscattered power that exceeds the random error in our approach.