Retrieval of aerosol optical thickness over snow and ice surfaces in the Arctic using Advanced Along Track Scanning Radiometer

Aerosols in the Arctic cause radiative forcing and a variety of climatic feedbacks, which affect climate of both local and global scales. In order to assess the state of the Arctic climate, information on the aerosol type and amount is needed. Harsh conditions and remoteness of the Arctic region res...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Istomina, Larysa
Other Authors: Burrows, John, Notholt, Justus
Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
Language:English
Published: Universität Bremen 2011
Subjects:
530
Online Access:https://media.suub.uni-bremen.de/handle/elib/263
https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:gbv:46-00102463-15
Description
Summary:Aerosols in the Arctic cause radiative forcing and a variety of climatic feedbacks, which affect climate of both local and global scales. In order to assess the state of the Arctic climate, information on the aerosol type and amount is needed. Harsh conditions and remoteness of the Arctic region result in very few ground based measurements of aerosol optical thickness. Remote sensing has the potential to provide the necessary temporal and spatial coverage. A non-trivial task of aerosol retrieval over a very bright surface is being solved within the thesis; the developed retrieval consists of cloud screening over snow and two types of aerosol retrieval over snow - in the visible and infrared spectral regions. A number of validation and case studies has been performed to assess the quality of the retrieval. The developed algorithm applies to the data of Advanced Along Track Scanning Radiometer and produces maps of aerosol optical thickness over snow and ice.