Comparison of satellite microwave backscattering (ASCAT) and visible/near-infrared reflectances (PARASOL) for the estimation of aeolian aerodynamic roughness length in arid and semi-arid regions
Previous studies examined the possibility to estimate the aeolian aerodynamic roughness length from satellites, either from visible/near-infrared observations or from microwave backscattering measurements. Here we compare the potential of the two approaches and propose to merge the two sources of in...
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Copernicus Publications
2012-11-01
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Series: | Atmospheric Measurement Techniques |
Online Access: | http://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/5/2703/2012/amt-5-2703-2012.pdf |
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doaj-c1ceb1623e2e41f38c515267b4be0a062020-11-24T23:08:59ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Measurement Techniques1867-13811867-85482012-11-015112703271210.5194/amt-5-2703-2012Comparison of satellite microwave backscattering (ASCAT) and visible/near-infrared reflectances (PARASOL) for the estimation of aeolian aerodynamic roughness length in arid and semi-arid regionsC. PrigentC. JiménezJ. CatherinotPrevious studies examined the possibility to estimate the aeolian aerodynamic roughness length from satellites, either from visible/near-infrared observations or from microwave backscattering measurements. Here we compare the potential of the two approaches and propose to merge the two sources of information to benefit from their complementary aspects, i.e. the high spatial resolution of the visible/near-infrared (6 km for PARASOL that is part of the A-Train) and the independence from atmospheric contamination of the active microwaves (ASCAT on board MetOp with a lower spatial resolution of 25 km). A global map of the aeolian aerodynamic roughness length at 6 km resolution is derived, for arid and semi-arid regions. It shows very good consistency with the existing information on the properties of these surfaces. The dataset is available to the community, for use in atmospheric dust transport models.http://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/5/2703/2012/amt-5-2703-2012.pdf |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
C. Prigent C. Jiménez J. Catherinot |
spellingShingle |
C. Prigent C. Jiménez J. Catherinot Comparison of satellite microwave backscattering (ASCAT) and visible/near-infrared reflectances (PARASOL) for the estimation of aeolian aerodynamic roughness length in arid and semi-arid regions Atmospheric Measurement Techniques |
author_facet |
C. Prigent C. Jiménez J. Catherinot |
author_sort |
C. Prigent |
title |
Comparison of satellite microwave backscattering (ASCAT) and visible/near-infrared reflectances (PARASOL) for the estimation of aeolian aerodynamic roughness length in arid and semi-arid regions |
title_short |
Comparison of satellite microwave backscattering (ASCAT) and visible/near-infrared reflectances (PARASOL) for the estimation of aeolian aerodynamic roughness length in arid and semi-arid regions |
title_full |
Comparison of satellite microwave backscattering (ASCAT) and visible/near-infrared reflectances (PARASOL) for the estimation of aeolian aerodynamic roughness length in arid and semi-arid regions |
title_fullStr |
Comparison of satellite microwave backscattering (ASCAT) and visible/near-infrared reflectances (PARASOL) for the estimation of aeolian aerodynamic roughness length in arid and semi-arid regions |
title_full_unstemmed |
Comparison of satellite microwave backscattering (ASCAT) and visible/near-infrared reflectances (PARASOL) for the estimation of aeolian aerodynamic roughness length in arid and semi-arid regions |
title_sort |
comparison of satellite microwave backscattering (ascat) and visible/near-infrared reflectances (parasol) for the estimation of aeolian aerodynamic roughness length in arid and semi-arid regions |
publisher |
Copernicus Publications |
series |
Atmospheric Measurement Techniques |
issn |
1867-1381 1867-8548 |
publishDate |
2012-11-01 |
description |
Previous studies examined the possibility to estimate the aeolian aerodynamic roughness length from satellites, either from visible/near-infrared observations or from microwave backscattering measurements. Here we compare the potential of the two approaches and propose to merge the two sources of information to benefit from their complementary aspects, i.e. the high spatial resolution of the visible/near-infrared (6 km for PARASOL that is part of the A-Train) and the independence from atmospheric contamination of the active microwaves (ASCAT on board MetOp with a lower spatial resolution of 25 km). A global map of the aeolian aerodynamic roughness length at 6 km resolution is derived, for arid and semi-arid regions. It shows very good consistency with the existing information on the properties of these surfaces. The dataset is available to the community, for use in atmospheric dust transport models. |
url |
http://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/5/2703/2012/amt-5-2703-2012.pdf |
work_keys_str_mv |
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