Cloud optical properties in the Amazon derived from LIDAR and Radiometer measurements

• Grant number: 12/16100-1
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Duration: October 30, 2012 - April 29, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Meteorology
• Principal Investigator: Henrique de Melo Jorge Barbosa
• Grantee: Henrique de Melo Jorge Barbosa
• Visiting researcher: Boris Barja Gonzalez
• Visiting researcher institution: Instituto de Meteorología de la República de Cuba (INSMET), Cuba
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 08/58100-2 - Aeroclima: direct and indirect effects of aerosols on climate in Amazonia and Pantanal, AP.PFPMCG.TEM

Abstract

This research proposal focuses on the determination of cloud optical properties in the Amazon region from different ground and satellite based instruments. Understanding the behavior of the optical characteristics of clouds will allow us to evaluate their interaction with solar radiation. Hence a secondary objective of this proposal will be the preliminary evaluation of the cloud radiative effects. Cloud optical depths (COD) will be evaluated from the LIDAR and MFRSR instruments, both installed in an experimental site near Manaus, and results will be compared with those obtained from satellite instruments. An initial evaluation of the cloud radiative forcing on the solar radiation will also be obtained by two different methods: modeling and direct solar radiation measurements. These activities will contribute directly to the FAPESP Thematic project "AEROCLIMA - Direct and indirect effects of aerosols on climate in Amazonia and Pantanal". This research on optical and radiative properties of clouds should allow, in the future, improving the representation of clouds in the atmospheric models, what is direct related to FAPESP Thematic project "CHUVA - Cloud processes of the main precipitation systems in Brazil: A contribution to cloud resolving modeling and to the GPM (GlobAl Precipitation Measurement)". PhD. Boris Barja González is a researcher in the Atmospheric Optics Group of Camagüey, Meteorological Institute, Cuba. He has long experience in these proposed topics. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ROSARIO, NILTON E.; SAUINI, THAMARA; PAULIQUEVIS, THEOTONIO; BARBOSA, HENRIQUE M. J.; YAMASOE, MARCIA A.; BARJA, BORIS. Aerosol optical depth retrievals in central Amazonia from a multi-filter rotating shadow-band radiometer calibrated on-site. Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, v. 12, n. 2, p. 921-934, FEB 11 2019. (12/16100-1, 13/05014-0, 13/50510-5, 17/17047-0)

GOUVEIA, DIEGO A.; BARJA, BORIS; BARBOSA, HENRIQUE M. J.; SEIFERT, PATRIC; BAARS, HOLGER; PAULIQUEVIS, THEOTONIO; ARTAXO, PAULO. Optical and geometrical properties of cirrus clouds in Amazonia derived from 1 year of ground-based lidar measurements. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, v. 17, n. 5, p. 3619-3636, MAR 15 2017. (13/50510-5, 09/15235-8, 12/16100-1, 13/05014-0)

BARBOSA, H. M. J.; BARJA, B.; PAULIQUEVIS, T.; GOUVEIA, D. A.; ARTAXO, P.; CIRINO, G. G.; SANTOS, R. M. N.; OLIVEIRA, A. B.. A permanent Raman lidar station in the Amazon: description, characterization, and first results. Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, v. 7, n. 6, p. 1745-1762, 2014. (09/15235-8, 12/16100-1, 12/14437-9)