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Direct Radiative Effect of Aerosols Based on PARASOL and OMI Satellite ObservationsAccurate portrayal of the aerosol characteristics is crucial to determine aerosol contribution to the Earth's radiation budget. We employ novel satellite retrievals to make a new measurement-based estimate of the shortwave direct radiative effect of aerosols (DREA), both over land and ocean. Global satellite measurements of aerosol optical depth, single-scattering albedo (SSA), and phase function from PARASOL (Polarization and Anisotropy of Reflectances for Atmospheric Sciences coupled with Observations from a Lidar) are used in synergy with OMI (Ozone Monitoring Instrument) SSA. Aerosol information is combined with land-surface bidirectional reflectance distribution function and cloud characteristics from MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) satellite products. Eventual gaps in observations are filled with the state-of-the-art global aerosol model ECHAM5-HAM2. It is found that our estimate of DREA is largely insensitive to model choice. Radiative transfer calculations show that DREA at top-of-atmosphere is −4.6 +/- 1.5 W/sq m for cloud-free and −2.1 +/- 0.7 W/sq m for all-sky conditions, during year 2006. These fluxes are consistent with, albeit generally less negative over ocean than, former assessments. Unlike previous studies, our estimate is constrained by retrievals of global coverage SSA, which may justify different DREA values. Remarkable consistency is found in comparison with DREA based on CERES (Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System) and MODIS observations.
Document ID
20170002457
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Lacagnina, Carlo
(SRON Space Research Organization Utrecht, Netherlands)
Hasekamp, Otto P.
(SRON Space Research Organization Utrecht, Netherlands)
Torres, Omar
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
March 23, 2017
Publication Date
February 27, 2017
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres
Publisher: AGU Publications
Volume: 122
Issue: 4
e-ISSN: 2169-9402
Subject Category
Earth Resources And Remote Sensing
Environment Pollution
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN40378
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: ALW-GO/13-38
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Globalsatellite measurements
Polarization and Anisotropy of Reflectances

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