Satellite and surface-based remote sensing of Southeast Asian aerosols and their radiative effects

Using one year (December 2006–November 2007) of the Moderate Resolution Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MODIS), Multi-Angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR), and Clouds and the Earthʹs Radiant Energy System (CERES) data sets from NASAʹs Terra satellite, we assess the spatial and temporal distributions of aerosol properties (Aerosol Optical Depth, Fine Mode Fraction, and Single Scattering albedo) in the Southeast Asian region (SEA, 10°S–25°N, 90°E–150°E). We also provide a quantitative evaluation of regional cloud-free diurnally averaged shortwave aerosol radiative effects (SWARE) at the top of atmosphere (TOA) over both land and ocean. Our results indicate that the diurnally averaged shortwave radiative effects at the TOA over land and ocean are (− 6.4 ± 1.2 W m− 2) and (− 5.9 ± 1.3 W m− 2) with corresponding 550 nm aerosol optical depths of 0.27 ± 0.24 and 0.12 ± 0.10. Fine aerosol particles (< 0.6 μm) dominate the continental areas during the whole study period, which represents large fractions of biomass burning aerosols and anthropogenic pollutant aerosols. Our results also indicate that the monthly averaged cloud cover fractions over this region are above 60%. Therefore, further sampling of aerosols underneath these cloud layers is needed in future field campaigns.