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At least 235 records · Page 13

Comparison of Commonly-Used Microwave Radiative Transfer Models for Snow Remote Sensing

This paper reviews four commonly-used microwave radiative transfer models that take different electromagnetic approaches to simulate snow brightness temperature (T(sub B)): the Dense Media Radiative Transfer - Multi-Layer model (DMRT-ML), the Dense Media Radiative Transfer - Quasi-Crystalline Approximation Mie scattering of Sticky spheres (DMRT-QMS), the Helsinki University of Technology n-Layers model (HUT-nlayers) and the Microwave Emission Model of Layered Snowpacks (MEMLS). Using the same extensively measured physical snowpack properties, we compared the simulated T(sub B) at 11, 19 and 37 GHz from these four models. The analysis focuses on the impact of using different types of measured snow microstructure metrics in the simulations. In addition to density, snow microstructure is defined for each snow layer by grain optical diameter (Do) and stickiness for DMRT-ML and DMRT-QMS, mean grain geometrical maximum extent (D(sub max)) for HUT n-layers and the exponential correlation length for MEMLS. These metrics were derived from either in-situ measurements of snow specific surface area (SSA) or macrophotos of grain sizes (D(sub max)), assuming non-sticky spheres for the DMRT models. Simulated T(sub B) sensitivity analysis using the same inputs shows relatively consistent T(sub B) behavior as a function of Do and density variations for the vertical polarization (maximum deviation of 18 K and 27 K, respectively), while some divergences appear in simulated variations for the polarization ratio (PR). Comparisons with ground based radiometric measurements show that the simulations based on snow SSA measurements have to be scaled with a model-specific factor of Do in order to minimize the root mean square error (RMSE) between measured and simulated T(sub B). Results using in-situ grain size measurements (SSA or D(sub max), depending on the model) give a mean T(sub B) RMSE (19 and 37 GHz) of the order of 16-26 K, which is similar for all models when the snow microstructure metrics are scaled. However, the MEMLS model converges to better results when driven by the correlation length estimated from in-situ SSA measurements rather than D(sub max) measurements. On a practical level, this paper shows that the SSA parameter, a snow property that is easy to retrieve in-situ, appears to be the most relevant parameter for characterizing snow microstructure, despite the need for a scaling factor.

Snow↗

OSOAA: A Vector Radiative Transfer Model of Coupled Atmosphere-Ocean System for a Rough Sea Surface Application to the Estimates of the Directional Variations of the Water Leaving Reflectance to Better Process Multi-angular Satellite Sensors Data Over the Ocean

In this study, we present a radiative transfer model, so-called OSOAA, that is able to predict the radiance and degree of polarization within the coupled atmosphere-ocean system in the presence of a rough sea surface. The OSOAA model solves the radiative transfer equation using the successive orders of scattering method. Comparisons with another operational radiative transfer model showed a satisfactory agreement within 0.8%. The OSOAA model has been designed with a graphical user interface to make it user friendly for the community. The radiance and degree of polarization are provided at any level, from the top of atmosphere to the ocean bottom. An application of the OSOAA model is carried out to quantify the directional variations of the water leaving reflectance and degree of polarization for phytoplankton and mineral-like dominated waters. The difference between the water leaving reflectance at a given geometry and that obtained for the nadir direction could reach 40%, thus questioning the Lambertian assumption of the sea surface that is used by inverse satellite algorithms dedicated to multi-angular sensors. It is shown as well that the directional features of the water leaving reflectance are weakly dependent on wind speed. The quantification of the directional variations of the water leaving reflectance obtained in this study should help to correctly exploit the satellite data that will be acquired by the current or forthcoming multi-angular satellite sensors.

Ocean surface↗

A Principal-Component-Based Radiative Transfer Model (PCRTM) for Hyperspectral Shortwave and Longwave Satellite Sensors and Its Applications

The radiative transfer model (RTM) or forward model is an essential component in satellite remote sensing. For modern hyperspectral remote sensors, fast and accurate RTMs are needed due to a large number of spectral dimensions and high spatial resolutions. We will describe a Principal Component-based radiative transfer model (PCRTM) which can simulate the top-of-atmosphere (TOA) radiance or reflectance spectra 250 nm to 2000 micrometers quickly and accurately. The PCRTM has been demonstrated to be extremely accurate, compared to the line-by-line RTM benchmarks, and the former is several orders more computationally efficient than the latter. We will demonstrate how the PCRTM and the associated inversion algorithms are used to infer atmospheric temperature, moisture, and trace gas profiles, as well as cloud and surface properties from hyperspectral IR sounders such as Atomspheric Infrared Souder (AIRS) and Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS). High-quality climate records for a 20-year duration have been derived from these IR hyperspectral data. Finally, we will show some examples of using PCRTM to retrieve cloud properties from Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) and its applicability of PCRTM to future missions such as the CLARREO (Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory) Pathfinder (CPF) CPF and the Surface Biology and Geology (SBG).

Xu Liu↗

Long Term Stability Monitoring of Aqua MODIS Thermal Emissive Bands through Radiative Transfer Modeling

Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on Aqua has been in operation providing continuous global observations for science research and applications since 2002. The long-term stability of thermal emissive bands (TEBs) of Aqua MODIS was monitored through inter-comparisons with measurements by hyperspectral infrared sensors, such as AIRS on Aqua and IASI on MetOp satellite, or through long term vicarious monitoring over cold targets, such as Dome- C and deep convective clouds (DCC). In this paper, a radiative transfer modeling-based simulation model using Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM) is developed to perform the long-term monitoring of the stability of TEBs of Aqua MODIS. CRTM is a fast-radiative transfer model for calculations of radiances for satellite infrared radiometers and is able to output infrared radiance and brightness temperature at spectral bands of MODIS. Long term European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) global atmospheric reanalysis data, such as temperature and humidity profiles, are used as inputs to the CRTM simulation. By confining the area of interest to be over low to middle latitude ocean, the long-term stabilities of selected Aqua MODIS TEBs are monitored through Observation–Background (O-B) brightness temperature (BT) bias between MODIS measurements and BT retrieval from CRTM simulation. The consistency and relative stability between Aqua MODIS and ECMWF reanalysis data for surface channels of MODIS are evaluated. In addition, the radiative transfer modeling with CRTM enables us to evaluate the impacts of long term variation of global CO2 distribution on the O-B BT biases for CO2 channels of Aqua MODIS through comparison of simulations with constant or long term variable CO2 as inputs. The O-B analysis with RTM show that Aqua MODIS surface channels are all radiometrically stable with yearly BT bias drift less than 0.004K/year for B20, B22, B23 and ~0.01K/year for B31 and B32. The CO2 absorption channels of Aqua MODIS, e.g. B33-B36, are stable with BT bias drift < 0.005K/year.

MODIS↗

An analytic radiative transfer model for a coupled atmosphere and leaf canopy

A new analytical radiative transfer model of a leaf canopy is developed that approximates multiple-scattering radiance by a four-stream formulation. The canopy model is coupled to a homogeneous atmospheric model as well as a non-Lambertian lower boundary soil surface. The same four-stream formulation is also used for the calculation of multiple scattering in the atmosphere. Comparisons of radiance derived from the four-stream model with those calculated by an iterative numerical solution of the radiative transfer equation show that the analytic model has a very high accuracy, even with a turbid atmosphere and a very dense canopy in which multiple scattering dominates. Because the coupling of canopy and atmospheric models fully accommodates anisotropic surface reflectance and atmospheric scattering and its effect on directional radiance, the model is especially useful for application to directional radiance and measurements obtained by remote sensing. Retrieval of biophysical parameters using this model is under investigation.

Liang, Shunlin↗

IPRT Polarized Radiative Transfer Model Intercomparison Project-Phase A

The polarization state of electromagnetic radiation scattered by atmospheric particles such as aerosols, cloud droplets, or ice crystals contains much more information about the optical and microphysical properties than the total intensity alone. For this reason an increasing number of polarimetric observations are performed from space, from the ground and from aircraft. Polarized radiative transfer models are required to interpret and analyse these measurements and to develop retrieval algorithms exploiting polarimetric observations. In the last years a large number of new codes have been developed, mostly for specific applications. Benchmark results are available for specific cases, but not for more sophisticated scenarios including polarized surface reflection and multi-layer atmospheres. The International Polarized Radiative Transfer (IPRT) working group of the International Radiation Commission (IRC) has initiated a model intercomparison project in order to fill this gap. This paper presents the results of the first phase A of the IPRT project which includes ten test cases, from simple setups with only one layer and Rayleigh scattering to rather sophisticated setups with a cloud embedded in a standard atmosphere above an ocean surface. All scenarios in the first phase A of the intercomparison project are for a one-dimensional plane-parallel model geometry. The commonly established benchmark results are available at the IPRT website

radiative transfer↗

Principal Component-Based Radiative Transfer Model (PCRTM) for Hyperspectral Sensors: Theoretical Concept - Part I

Modern infrared satellite sensors such as Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), Cosmic Ray Isotope Spectrometer (CrIS), Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES), Geosynchronous Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (GIFTS) and Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) are capable of providing high spatial and spectral resolution infrared spectra. To fully exploit the vast amount of spectral information from these instruments, super fast radiative transfer models are needed. This paper presents a novel radiative transfer model based on principal component analysis. Instead of predicting channel radiance or transmittance spectra directly, the Principal Component-based Radiative Transfer Model (PCRTM) predicts the Principal Component (PC) scores of these quantities. This prediction ability leads to significant savings in computational time. The parameterization of the PCRTM model is derived from properties of PC scores and instrument line shape functions. The PCRTM is very accurate and flexible. Due to its high speed and compressed spectral information format, it has great potential for super fast one-dimensional physical retrievals and for Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) large volume radiance data assimilation applications. The model has been successfully developed for the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Airborne Sounder Testbed - Interferometer (NAST-I) and AIRS instruments. The PCRTM model performs monochromatic radiative transfer calculations and is able to include multiple scattering calculations to account for clouds and aerosols.

Liu, Xu↗

Estimation of canopy parameters for inhomogeneous vegetation canopies from reflectance data. III - TRIM: A model for radiative transfer in heterogeneous three-dimensional canopies

A model for radiative transfer in heterogeneous three-dimensional canopies such as those found in forests is proposed. Its use in estimating important biophysical variables such as leaf area index and canopy architecture from bidirectional canopy reflectance data is discussed. The model and its use in estimating canopy parameters through its inversion are validated with measured canopy reflectance data for corn canopies.

Goel, Narendra S.↗

Radiative transfer model validations during the First ISLSCP Field Experiment

Two simple radiative transfer models, the 5S model based on Tanre et al. (1985, 1986) and the wide-band model of Morcrette (1984) are validated by comparing their outputs with results obtained during the First ISLSCP Field Experiment on concomitant radiosonde, aerosol turbidity, and radiation measurements and sky photographs. Results showed that the 5S model overestimates the short-wave irradiance by 13.2 W/sq m, whereas the Morcrette model underestimated the long-wave irradiance by 7.4 W/sq m.

Frouin, Robert↗

Applications of amorphous track models in radiation biology

The average or amorphous track model uses the response of a system to gamma-rays and the radial distribution of dose about an ion's path to describe survival and other cellular endpoints from proton, heavy ion, and neutron irradiation. This model has been used for over 30 years to successfully fit many radiobiology data sets. We review several extensions of this approach that address objections to the original model, and consider applications of interest in radiobiology and space radiation risk assessment. In the light of present views of important cellular targets, the role of target size as manifested through the relative contributions from ion-kill (intra-track) and gamma-kill (inter-track) remains a critical question in understanding the success of the amorphous track model. Several variations of the amorphous model are discussed, including ones that consider the radial distribution of event-sizes rather than average electron dose, damage clusters rather than multiple targets, and a role for repair or damage processing.

NASA Discipline Radiation Health↗

Common radiation analysis model for 75,000 pound thrust NERVA engine (1137400E)

The mathematical model and sources of radiation used for the radiation analysis and shielding activities in support of the design of the 1137400E version of the 75,000 lbs thrust NERVA engine are presented. The nuclear subsystem (NSS) and non-nuclear components are discussed. The geometrical model for the NSS is two dimensional as required for the DOT discrete ordinates computer code or for an azimuthally symetrical three dimensional Point Kernel or Monte Carlo code. The geometrical model for the non-nuclear components is three dimensional in the FASTER geometry format. This geometry routine is inherent in the ANSC versions of the QAD and GGG Point Kernal programs and the COHORT Monte Carlo program. Data are included pertaining to a pressure vessel surface radiation source data tape which has been used as the basis for starting ANSC analyses with the DASH code to bridge into the COHORT Monte Carlo code using the WANL supplied DOT angular flux leakage data. In addition to the model descriptions and sources of radiation, the methods of analyses are briefly described.

Warman, E. A.↗

A radiative transfer model for microwave emissions from bare agricultural soils

A radiative transfer model for microwave emissions from bare, stratified agricultural soils was developed to assist in the analysis of data gathered in the joint soil moisture experiment. The predictions of the model were compared with preliminary X band (2.8 cm) microwave and ground based observations. Measured brightness temperatures at vertical and horizontal polarizations can be used to estimate the moisture content of the top centimeter of soil with + or - 1 percent accuracy. It is also shown that the Stokes parameters can be used to distinguish between moisture and surface roughness effects.

Burke, W. J.↗

An influence of solar activity on latitudinal distribution of atmospheric ozone and temperature in 2-D radiative-photochemical model

On the basis of the 2-D radiative-photochemical model of the ozone layer at heights 0 to 60 km in the Northern Hemisphere there are revealed and analyzed in detail the characteristic features of the season-altitude-latitude variations of ozone and temperature due to changes of the solar flux during the 11 year cycle, electron and proton precipitations.

Dyominov, I. G.↗

LDEF geometry/mass model for radiation analyses

A 3-D geometry/mass model of Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) was generated to aid in the interpretation of ionizing radiation experiments relative to the influence of varying shielding distributions around the dosimetry, and to allow more definitive calculations and comparisons with the measured data. This model takes into account the major individual structural members of the LDEF spacecraft, the mass in each experiment tray, and, for selected trays containing ionizing radiation dosimetry, major parts within the tray are modeled. The geometry/mass model, together with a ray tracing algorithms, was programmed for use both as a stand alone code in determining 3-D shielding distributions at dosimetry locations, and as a geometry module that can be interfaced with radiation transport codes.

Colborn, B. L.↗

On the possibility of constructing a radiative sunspot model in magnetohydrostatic equilibrium.

It is currently believed that it is impossible to construct a radiative sunspot model in magnetohydrostatic equilibrium unless magnetic fields below the surface are excessively large (greater than 100 kG). This belief is based on results obtained using the mixing length theory of convection. We wish to point out that by using a different theory of convection, due to Opik (1950), it is possible to compute a radiative sunspot model in which the field becomes no greater than 9000 G. By applying two boundary conditions (depth of spot equals depth of convection zone, and magnetic field has zero gradient at the base of the spot) we show that a radiative spot has a unique effective temperature for a given Wilson depression.

Mullan, D. J.↗

Radiative Transfer Modeling of Phytoplankton Fluorescence Quenching Processes

We report the first radiative transfer model that is able to simulate phytoplankton fluorescence with both photo chemical and non-photo chemical quenching included. The fluorescence source term in the inelastic radiative transfer equation is proportional to both the quantum yield and scalar irradiance at excitation wavelengths. The photo chemical and non photo chemical quenching processes change the quantum yield based on the photosynthetic active radiation. A sensitivity study was performed to demonstrate the dependence of the fluorescence signal on chlorophyll a concentration, aerosol optical depths and solar zenith angles. This work enables us to better model the phytoplankton fluorescence, which can be used in the design of new space-based sensors that can provide sufficient sensitivity to detect the phytoplankton fluorescence signal. It could also lead to more accurate remote sensing algorithms for the study of phytoplankton physiology.

Inelastic scattering↗

Clues to Coral Reef Health: Integrating Radiative Transfer Modeling and Hyperspectral Data

An important contribution to coral reef research is to improve spectral distinction between various health states of coral species in areas subject to harmful anthropogenic activity and climate change. New insights into radiative transfer properties of corals under healthy and stressed conditions can advance understandings of ecological processes on reefs and allow better assessments of the impacts of large-scale bleaching and disease events, Our objective was to examine the spectral and spatial properties of hyperspectral sensors that may be used to remotely sense changes in reef community health. We compare in situ reef environment spectra (healthy coral, stressed coral, dead coral, algae, and sand) with airborne hyperspectral data to identify important spectral characteristics and indices. Additionally, spectral measurements over a range of water depths, relief, and bottom types are compared to help quantify bottom-water column influences. In situ spectra were collected in July and August 2002 at the Long Rock site in the Andros Island, Bahamas coastal zone coral reef. Our primary emphasis was on Acropora palmata (or elkhorn coral), a major reef building coral, which is prevalent in the study area, but is suffering from white band disease. A. palmata is currently being, proposed as an endangered species because its populations have severely declined in many areas of the Caribbean. In addition to the A. palmata biotope, we have collected spectra of at least seven other coral biotopes that exist within the study area, each with different coral community composition, density of corals, relief, and size of corals. Coral spectral reflectance was then input into a radiative transfer model, CORALMOD (CM1), which is based on a leaf radiative transfer model. In CM1, input coral reflectance measurements produce modeled reflectance through an inversion at each visible wavelength to provide the absorption spectrum. Initially, we imposed a scattering baseline that is the same regardless of the coral condition and that coral is optically thick and no light is transmitted through coral. Here we will focus on methodology, experimental design, and initial findings of the in situ spectral measurements and preliminary output from the radiative transfer model.

Guild, Liane↗