CALIOP Aerosol Subset Processing for Global Aerosol Transport Model Data Assimilation

A system for processing Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) satellite-based 0.532 and 1.064 elastic and polarization lidar datasets for global aerosol transport model assimilation is described. A method for constructing one-degree along-track and cloud-free signal composite averages, consistent with Navy Aerosol Analysis and Prediction System (NAAPS) model gridding, using CALIOP Level 1B attenuated backscatter and Level 2 cloud boundary-height products is outlined. Optimal vertical resolutions and relative signal uncertainties for the composite signal averages are described for both day and nighttime measurement scenarios. Depolarization profiles are described for the 0.532 channel as well as attenuated color ratio profiles using 0.532 and 1.064 attenuated backscatter measurements. Constrained by NAAPS model aerosol optical depths, processed attenuated backscatter profiles are inverted to solve for extinction and backscatter coefficients, their ratio, and extinction coefficient profiles which serve as the basis for data assimilation.