Correlation between Aerosol Optical Depth and
Particulate Matter Levels in the Boundary Layer

Home | How is AOD Calculated? | How is AOD Measured? | Case Studies

What is Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD)?

  • AOD:
    A measure of the amount of aerosols in a column of air extending from the Earth’s surface to the top of the atmosphere

  • Aerosols:
    Liquid or solid particles suspended in a gas

  • Sources:
    - Primary: combustion, smoke, wind-blown dust, sea-spray
    - Secondary: sulfate, nitrate, and many others

  • Size of interest:
    0.1 µm to 10 µm

  • Reasons for studying AOD:
    - Health effects from inhalation
    - Reduced visibility
    - Cloud and precipitation impacts
    - Earth radiation budget


GOES derived AOD for April 22, 2007 (http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/FIRE/GASP/gasp.html)

MODIS derived AOD for April 21, 2007 (http://idea.ssec.wisc.edu)

Course: Remote Sensing of the Ocean and Atmosphere - Spring 2007
Last Modified: 4/30/07 by Craig Anderson