Regional quantitative retrieval of aerosol optical depth by exploiting the synergy of VISSR and MODIS data

Atmospheric aerosol particles influence the Earth´s radiation balance directly by scattering of infrared energy and indirectly by modifying the properties of clouds through microphysical processes. For the sake of effectively monitoring it, many atmospheric aerosol observation networks are set up and provide associated informational services in the wide world. However, the aerosol optical depth show large spatial and temporal variations because of the variety of production (e.g., car exhaust, power plants, forest fires, evaporation from petroleum products, agriculture, natural living plants, dust storms, breaking ocean waves, volcanoes), transport and removal processes and the prevailing meteorological conditions. In this paper an algorithm is developed which retrieves the diurnal change of AOT by using MODIS and FY-2D satellite visible channel data. This research is helpful for understanding the forming mechanism, influence and controlling approach of atmospheric aerosol and necessary for establishing corresponding operational predicting system of haze weather, which will provide the stable scientific support for predicting haze weather and setting up the controlling standard and synthesis prevention countermeasure.