PACE SPEXone Level-2 data provides over 20 coupled aerosol and ocean parameters retrieved from satellite observations. The dataset, processed by the RemoTAP algorithm, delivers near real-time aerosol optical depth, single-scattering albedo, refractive index, size distribution, and related ocean surface properties. Organization OB_CLOUD provides this version 3.0 product for aerosol-climate and air-quality studies.
Use Cases
- Model aerosol radiative forcing by using `aot550` (AOD at 550 nm), `ssa` (single-scattering albedo), and `mr`/`mi` (refractive index) as inputs.
- Characterize aerosol particle size and type by analyzing `reff_fine`, `reff_coarse`, `fmf` (fine mode fraction), and `sph` (spherical fraction).
- Study ocean-atmosphere coupling by correlating `chla` (chlorophyll-a concentration) with aerosol properties like `aot` and `angstrom_440_870`.
- Assimilate lidar-derived aerosol profiles into models using `lidar_bsca_total` (backscatter coefficient) and `lidar_ratio`.
- Correct ocean color imagery for atmospheric effects by leveraging the coupled `wind_speed` (surface roughness) and aerosol optical properties.
Strengths
- Provides over 20 distinct geophysical variables for coupled atmosphere-ocean analysis.
- Algorithmically derives microphysical properties (size, refractive index) from spectral optical measurements.
- Delivered in near real-time (NRT) for timely monitoring applications.
Limitations
- Data coverage is limited to ocean regions only, excluding continental aerosol analysis.
- Retrieval accuracy over complex scenes (e.g., high glint, coastal waters) may be reduced.
- The version 3.0 algorithm's performance against ground truth is unspecified in the provided description.
Provenance
- Source
- NASA Earthdata (PACE SPEXone instrument), processed via RemoTAP algorithm.
- Collection Method
- Satellite remote sensing retrieval from spectral measurements over ocean.
- Time Range
- null
- Freshness
- Near real-time
- Geography
- Global ocean regions.