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AGU: Geophysical Research Letters

 

Index Terms

  • Atmospheric Composition and Structure
  • Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Aerosols and particles
  • Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Pollution—urban and regional
  • Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Transmission and scattering of radiation

Abstract

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 31, L12106, 4 PP., 2004
doi:10.1029/2004GL019651

The fictitious diurnal cycle of aerosol optical depth: A new approach for “in situ” calibration and correction of AOD data series

V. E. Cachorro

Grupo de Óptica Atmosférica, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain

P. M. Romero

Observatorio Atmosférico de Izaña, Instituto Nacional de Meteorología, Tenerife, Spain

C. Toledano

Grupo de Óptica Atmosférica, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain

E. Cuevas

Observatorio Atmosférico de Izaña, Instituto Nacional de Meteorología, Tenerife, Spain

A. M. de Frutos

Grupo de Óptica Atmosférica, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain

Aerosol optical depth (AOD) very often shows a distinct diurnal cycle pattern, which seems to be an artifact. This phenomenon is the result of a deficient calibration (or an equivalent effect, as filter degradation). The fictitious sinusoidal shape of the AOD diurnal cycle is a function of the cosine of the solar zenith angle (SZA) and its effect is more accentuated during mid-day. The observation of this effect is not easy at current field stations and only those stations with excellent weather conditions permit an easier detection and correction. By taking advantage of this diurnal cycle behavior because of its dependence on the cosine of the SZA, we propose an improved “in situ” calibration correction procedure. The method is named KCICLO because the determination of a constant K and the behavior of AOD as a cycle (ciclo, in Spanish). It can be seen as a modification of the classical Langley technique (CLT) with the same level of accuracy when CLT is applied at high-altitude stations, and results in an accuracy of 0.2–0.5% for the calibration ratio constant K (or 0.002–0.005 in AOD). The application of this correction method to current and old data series at sunny stations is a significant improvement over “in situ” methods, because no other information beyond the AOD data is necessary.

Received 5 February 2004; accepted 19 May 2004; published 19 June 2004.

Citation: Cachorro, V. E., P. M. Romero, C. Toledano, E. Cuevas, and A. M. de Frutos (2004), The fictitious diurnal cycle of aerosol optical depth: A new approach for “in situ” calibration and correction of AOD data series, Geophys. Res. Lett., 31, L12106, doi:10.1029/2004GL019651.

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