Spatial distribution of aerosol particles in Amazônia and its impact on radiation balance

• Grant number: 23/15954-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2024
• End date: January 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Meteorology
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Eduardo Artaxo Netto
• Grantee: Pedro Henrique Teixeira Tavares
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/07974-0 - Synergistic effects of climate change and land use on carbon source and sink of Amazon forest ecosystem, AP.PFPMCG.TEM

Abstract

Aerosols contribute in multiple ways to the Earth's radiative balance, scattering and absorbing solar and infrared radiation. Due to the wide range of distinct contributions, the radiative forcing of aerosols still carries significant uncertainty, negatively impacting the quality of climate predictions for future scenarios and making the study of aerosol impact even more relevant. The fundamental parameter of radiative forcing is the so-called aerosol optical thickness, which is measured by satellites' sensors and ground-level solar photometers. The Amazon is a particularly important region for atmospheric radiative forcing. In this work, we will study measurements taken by satellite sensors (MODIS and MISR) and the NASA/AERONET ground network, as well as results from data assimilation models like MAIAC. The MISR and MAIAC data have not been extensively validated for the Amazon region, which is crucial for studying the impacts of aerosols from wildfires and biogenics on the Amazon ecosystem. Satellite measurements can cover the entire Amazon Rainforest area, while NASA/AERONET photometers provide highly precise optical thickness measurements at specific locations. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate in situ measurements with satellite measurements through validation and calibration. In this context, this project aims to validate MODIS and MISR sensor data against AERONET network measurements, develop validation curves for AOD (aerosol optical depth) and AAOD (absorbing aerosol optical depth) interpolated by the MAIAC system in relation to MODIS and MISR measurements in the spatial distribution of AOD in the Amazon and integrate validations of satellite measurements and model data with the AERONET network into a robust database. It will also calculate the geographic distribution of aerosol radiative forcing, distinguishing between contributions from coarse and fine aerosol modes. This scientific initiation project will be developed as an integral part of the projects "Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Amazon and Data Analytics and Service System" (RCGI - FAPESP 2020/15230-5) and "Synergistic Effects of Climate Change and Land Use on Carbon Sources and Sinks in the Amazon" (FAPESP Thematic 2022/07974-0), whose data will be integrated into the Google Earth Engine and MapBiomas system platform.