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The MERRA-2 Aerosol Reanalysis, 1980 Onward. Part II: Evaluation and Case Studies.
- Source :
- Journal of Climate; Sep2017, Vol. 30 Issue 17, p6851-6872, 22p
- Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- The Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA-2), is NASA's latest reanalysis for the satellite era (1980 onward) using the Goddard Earth Observing System, version 5 (GEOS-5), Earth system model. MERRA-2 provides several improvements over its predecessor (MERRA-1), including aerosol assimilation for the entire period. MERRA-2 assimilates bias-corrected aerosol optical depth (AOD) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer and the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer instruments. Additionally, MERRA-2 assimilates (non bias corrected) AOD from the Multiangle Imaging SpectroRadiometer over bright surfaces and AOD from Aerosol Robotic Network sunphotometer stations. This paper, the second of a pair, summarizes the efforts to assess the quality of the MERRA-2 aerosol products. First, MERRA-2 aerosols are evaluated using independent observations. It is shown that the MERRA-2 absorption aerosol optical depth (AAOD) and ultraviolet aerosol index (AI) compare well with Ozone Monitoring Instrument observations. Next, aerosol vertical structure and surface fine particulate matter (PM<subscript>2.5</subscript>) are evaluated using available satellite, aircraft, and ground-based observations. While MERRA-2 generally compares well to these observations, the assimilation cannot correct for all deficiencies in the model (e.g., missing emissions). Such deficiencies can explain many of the biases with observations. Finally, a focus is placed on several major aerosol events to illustrate successes and weaknesses of the AOD assimilation: the Mount Pinatubo eruption, a Saharan dust transport episode, the California Rim Fire, and an extreme pollution event over China. The article concludes with a summary that points to best practices for using the MERRA-2 aerosol reanalysis in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 08948755
- Volume :
- 30
- Issue :
- 17
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Climate
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 126889807
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-16-0609.1