Aerosol retrievals over China with the AATSR dual view algorithm

Satellites offer the opportunity to determine the spatial distribution of aerosol properties. In this study the AATSR (Advanced Along Track Scanning Radiometer) Dual View (ADV) algorithm is applied for observing aerosol optical depth (AOD) over Eastern China. A preliminary selection of representative aerosol models was made by a comparison of ADV retrieval for a range of models with AERONET data. The selected fine-, and coarse-mode aerosol models were subsequently used in the ADV retrievals over a wider area where no AERONET data was available. In addition to AOD at wavelengths of 0.555 and 0.659 μm, a mixing ratio (the contribution of fine mode aerosol to the total aerosol extinction) was retrieved from the AATSR data for 2008. The results show a seasonal variation of the AODs and mixing ratios over the areas with strong anthropogenic activity; over rural areas the AODs and mixing ratios are low throughout the year. Over urban areas the lowest AODs were observed during the winter, and the highest during the summer. During the winter the fine mode aerosol mixing ratios were higher than during other seasons.