Global Ocean Aerosol Optical Thickness from AVHRR, 1981-2009

NOAA's Climate Data Record provides daily and monthly aerosol optical thickness measurements over global oceans from 1981 to 2009. The dataset is derived from AVHRR satellite channel 1 clear-sky radiance data at 8-km spatial and daily temporal resolution. Version 2.0, now superseded, features improved cloud screening and processing but is intended primarily for reproducing prior studies.

Use Cases

• Analyze temporal trends in daily AOT values over specific ocean basins from 1981 to 2009.
• Map monthly mean AOT on a 0.1x0.1 degree grid to study spatial aerosol distribution patterns.
• Correlate AOT retrievals from the anti-solar orbit side with other climate variables for process studies.
• Use the cloud-screened, non-glint water surface data to validate newer aerosol retrieval algorithms.

Strengths

• 29-year temporal coverage from 1981 to 2009 provides a long-term climate perspective.
• Data is provided on a consistent 0.1x0.1 degree equal-angle grid for spatial analysis.
• Improved cloud screening and processing over the previous version 1.0.

Limitations

• The dataset is superseded; newer versions likely contain improved retrievals.
• Retrievals are limited to non-glint water surfaces and viewing angles >40 degrees from the specular ray, excluding significant areas.
• Uncertainties are noted for surface reflectance over water glint areas and land, which are excluded.

Provenance

Source

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).

Collection Method

Derived from PATMOS-x AVHRR level-2b channel 1 (0.63 micron) orbital clear-sky radiance.

Time Range

1981 to 2009.

Freshness

Data collection ended in 2009; the record is historical and static.

Geography

Global oceans.