Measurements of atmospheric aerosol optical thickness over water using ERTS-1 data

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1975 · J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00022470.1975.10470118· OSTI ID:7133268

Griggs, M

The body of information presented is directed to those interested in the application of satellite techniques for environmental monitoring. The apparent gradual increase of particles in the atmosphere has received considerable attention in recent years due to the possible effect of atmospheric aerosols on the earth's climate. The ERTS-1 satellite offered the opportunity of determining the feasibility of monitoring the atmospheric aerosol optical thickness on a global basis, as suggested by theoretical studies, which showed a linear relationship between the upwelling earth-atmosphere radiance and the aerosol optical thickness. This relationship was investigated at two test sites, San Diego and the Salton Sea, using the multispectral scanner (MSS) radiance data, with ground-truth observations of the aerosol optical thickness being made with a Volz photometer at the time of the satellite overpasses. Significant results, relating the radiance over water surfaces to the atmospheric aerosol optical thickness, have been obtained. The results indicate that the MSS channels, 4, 5 and 6 centered at 0.55, 0.65 and 0.75 ..mu..m have comparable sensitivity, and that the optical thickness can be determined within +-10 percent with the assumed measurement errors of the MSS.

• Research Organization: Science Applications Inc., La Jolla, CA
• OSTI ID: 7133268
• Journal Information: J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States) Vol. 25:6; ISSN JPCAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
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CLIMATES
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
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WESTERN REGION