Satellite and ship-based lidar measurements of optical depth during EOPACE

The authors consider methods for obtaining quantitative data of the coastal marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL). Satellite remote sensing is the only data source that can measure MABL properties in the coastal zone with the needed high spatial resolution. However, many of the uses of satellite data are qualitative. Quantitative satellite remote sensing methods need to be tested to provide littoral data. Ship-based aerosol and lidar backscatter measurements, aircraft-measured aerosol, and rawinsonde data obtained during the Electro-Optical Propagation Assessment in Coastal Environments (EOPACE) Intense Observing Periods (IOPs) provide an opportunity to compare satellite methods with in situ data. The purpose of the EOPACE program is to characterize the aerosol and boundary layer properties in the coastal zone and to determine if air mass parameters in various coastal locations can be derived, to a practical degree, from satellite imagery. The combination of satellite data with several in situ surface and aircraft data sets offers an excellent opportunity to monitor significant optical depth and aerosol changes in the coastal zone. In addition, quantitative comparisons can be made. The objective of this paper is to evaluate satellite-derived aerosol optical depths estimates using aircraft and ship-based aerosol measurements, a ship-based lidar and rawinsonde profiles of the MABL. Results from the April 1996 IOP are presented.