Data Filtering and Assimilation of Satellite Derived Aerosol Optical Depth

Satellite observations of the Earth often contain excessive noise and extensive data voids. Aerosol measurements, for instance, are obscured and contaminated by clouds, possible only on the sunlit side of the globe, and difficult over bright land areas. We propose to extend filtering and data assimilation techniques for satellite derived aerosol optical depth based on the wavelet transform. The assimilation system is based on the Model for Atmospheric Transport and Chemistry (MATCH) and include improvements such as the incorporation of satellite observed aerosol size modes and column water vapor. Initially we will focus specifically on aerosol measurements from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instruments flying on the Terra and Aqua satellites. The assimilated fields will be tested against surface network observations of aerosol optical depth. We will employ the assimilation assimilation system to produce aerosol datasets for application in Earth radiation budget observations and atmospheric correction methods.