Publications

Christopher, SA, Jones, TA (2008). Dust radiative effects over global oceans. IEEE GEOSCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING LETTERS, 5(1), 74-77.

Abstract
Using one year of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) data, we provide a satellite-based assessment of top-of-atmosphere (TOA) cloud-free shortwave and longwave dust radiative effects over global oceans from the Terra satellite. Over global cloud-free oceans, the dust net radiative effect is -0.7 +/- 0.2 W.m(-2), and the TOA dust shortwave radiative effect (SWRE) dominates the longwave radiative effect (LWRE). Globally, the annual mean dust contribution to the total MODIS level 2 aerosol optical thickness (AOT, at 550 nm) is about 30% with a dust SWRE of -0.7 +/- 0.2 W.m(-2) and LWRE of 0.03 +/- 0.02 W.m(-2). Averaged over all sea sons, the cloud-free diurnal mean dust radiative efficiency is -33 +/- 5 W.m(-2).tau(-1), and there is a remarkable linear relationship between the CERES SWRE and the MODIS AOT. This is the first satellite-based assessment of dust net radiative effect over the global oceans and will serve as a useful constraint for numerical modeling analysis.

DOI:
10.1109/LGRS.2007.909938

ISSN:
1545-598X