Development of Aerosol Retrieval Algorithm Over Ocean Using FY-1C/1D Data

This study proposes a single-channel satellite remote sensing algorithm for retrieving aerosol optical thickness over global ocean using FY-1C/1D data. An efficient lookup table (LUT)method is adopted in this algorithm to generate apparent reflectance in channel 1 and channel 2 of FY-1C/1D over ocean. The algorithm scale the apparent reflectance in cloud-free conditions to aerosol optical thickness using a state-of-art radiative transfer model 6S with input of the relative spectral response of channel 1 and 2 of FY-1C/1D. Monthly mean composite maps of the aerosol optical thickness have been obtained from FY-1C/1D global area coverage data between 2001 and 2003. Aerosol optical thickness maps can show the major aerosol source which are located off the west coast of northern and southern Africa, Arabian Sea and India Ocean. These result is very similar to other satellite sensors such as AVHRR and MODIS in the location area of heavy aerosol optical thickness over global ocean. The algorithm have been used to FY-1D operational performance and it is the first operational aerosol remote sensing product in China.