Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Influence of Fine-Mode Aerosols on MODIS–AERONET Aerosol Optical Depth Disparities in the Sahel West Africa

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Aerosol Science and Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the present paper, the disparities between aerosol optical depths (AOD) retrieved using the Moderate Resolution Infrared Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) and AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) are presented for five Sahel sites based on the R2 correlation metric of their multiyear data. The sites are Banizoumbou (13.54N; 2.66E), Dakar (14.39N; 16.95 W), Djougou (9.76N; 1.59E), Ilorin (8.32N; 4.34E), and Ouagadougou (12.2N; 1.4 W). The overall and seasonal MODIS–AERONET AOD disparities for the locations were evaluated and compared with aerosol parameters associated with fine-mode prevalence at the sites, namely, total AOD (AOD500nm), precipitable water (PW), Angstrom derivative (α1), and fine mode fraction (FMF) for the seasons MAM, JJA, SON, and DJF. The largest overall disparity (least R2) was found for Ilorin (R2 = 0.021 ± 0.295), while the least overall disparity (largest R2) was found for Banizoumbou (R2 = 0.660 ± 0.132). The FMF was found to have the strongest correlations with the overall and seasonal disparities (R2*FMF = – 0.626 (overall), R2*FMF = – 0.350 (MAM), R2*FMF = – 0.9 (JJA), R2*FMF = – 0.602 (SON), R2*FMF = 0.084 (DJF). The largest seasonal disparity occurred at Ilorin in JJA (R2 = 0.014) when very low AOD500nm (0.352) was associated with significant fine-mode occurrence (α1 = 0.433; FMF = 0.581), while the least seasonal disparity occurred in Djougou in MAM (R2 = 0.866) when very high AOD500nm (0.814) was associated with the least fine-mode occurrence (α1 ~ 0.00; FMF = 0.278). In Banizoumbou, Dakar, Djougou, and Ouagadougou, fine-mode aerosols occurred more significantly in the dry period (low PW), suggesting a biomass burning source, and at Ilorin, the fine-mode occurred more significantly in the monsoon season (high PW), suggesting a non-biomass burning source. Since the AOD at Ilorin correlated strongest with monsoon-season meridional wind (AOD500nm*MWwet = 0.611), compared to other seasonal wind fields, it is inferred that the large monsoon-season MODIS–AERONET AOD disparities at the site were due to southwesterly wind, which transports fine-mode aerosols from coastal industrial sites, as indicated in previous studies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Afiesimama AE, Pal JS, Abiodun BJ, Gutowski WJ, Adedoyin A (2006) Simulation of West African monsoon using the Regcm3. part i: model validation and interannual variability. Theoret Appl Climatol 86:23–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anoruo CM (2020) Modelling and analysis of aerosol and cloud-precipitable water inter-hemispheric interactions of aerosol-satellite data using ground observation. Aerosol Sci Eng. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41810-020-00078-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anoruo CM (2022) Monsoon-seasonal validation of MODIS aerosol optical depth and characterization using AERONET observation retrieve over Italy. Environ Res 204(2022):111985. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.111985

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Banks JR, Brindley HE, Flamant HE, Garay MJ, Hsu NC (2013) Intercomparison of satellite dust retrieval products over the West African Sahara during the Fennec Campaign in June 2011. Remote Sens Environ 136:99–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.Rse.2013.05.003.Hal-00874020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ben-Ami Y, Koren I, Rudich Y, Artaxo P, Martin ST, Andréa MO (2010) Transport of North African dust from the Bod´El´E depression to the Amazon Basin: a case study. Atmos Chem Phys 10(7533–7544):2010

    Google Scholar 

  • Bibi H, Khan A, Farrukh C, Bibi S, Shahid I, Blaschke T (2015) Intercomparison of MODIS, MISR, OMI, and CALIPSO aerosol optical depth retrievals for four locations on the Indo-Gangetic plains and validation against AERONET data. Atmos Environ 111:113–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bovchaliuk A, Milinevsky G, Danylevsky V, Goloub P, Dubovik O, Holdak A, Sosonkin M (2013) Variability of aerosol properties over Eastern Europe observed from ground and satellites in the period from 2003 to 2011. Atmos Chem Phys 13:6587–6602

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cesnulyte V, Lindfors AV, Pitkänen MRA, Lehtinen KEJ, Morcrette J-J, Arola A (2014) Comparing ECMWF AOD with AERONET observations at visible and UV wavelengths. Atmos Chem Phys 14:593–608

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cowie SM, Knippert P, Marsham JH (2014) A climatology of dust emission events from Northern Africa using long-term surface observations. Atmos Chem Phys 14:8579–8597

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dee DP, Uppala SM, Simmons AJ, Berrisford P, Poli P, Kobayashi S, Andréa U, Balmaseda MA, Balsamo G, Bauer P, Bechtold P, Beljaars ACM, Van De Berg L, Bidlot J, Bormann N, Delsol C, Dragani R, Fuentes M, Geer AJ, Haimberger L, Healy SB, Hersbach H, Holm EV, Isaksen L, Kllberg P, Kohler M, Matricardi M, Mcnally AP, Monge-Sanz BM, Morcrette J-J, Park B-K, Peubey C, Derosnay P, Tavolato C, Thepautand J-N, Vitart F (2011) The ERA-Interim reanalysis: configuration and performance of the data assimilation system. Q J R Meteorol Soc 137:553–597

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fawole O, Cai X, Levine J et al (2016) Detection of gas flaring signature in the AERONET optical properties of aerosols at A tropical station in West Africa. J Geophys Res Atmos 121(24):14513–14524

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hidy GM (2019) Atmospheric aerosols: some highlights and highlighters, 1950–2018. Aerosol Sci Eng 3:1–20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41810-019-00039-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holben BN, Eck TF, Slutsker I, Tanre D, Buis JP, Setzer A, Vermote E, Reagan JA, Kaufman YJ, Nakajima T, Lavenu F, Jankowiak I, Smirnov A (1998) AERONET a federated instrument network and data archive for aerosol characterization. Remote Sens Environ 66:1–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hsu NC, Gautam R, Sayer AM, Bettenhausen C, Li C, Jeong MJ, Tsay S-C, Holben BN (2012) Global and regional trends of aerosol optical depth over land and ocean using Seawifs measurements from 1997 To 2010. Atmos Chem Phys 12:8037–8053

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaskaoutis DG, Kambezidis HD, Hatzianastassiou N, Kosmopoulos PG, Badarinath KVS (2007) Aerosol climatology: dependence of the angstrom exponent on wavelength over four AERONET sites. Atmos Chem Phys Discuss 7:7347–7397

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim D, Chin M, Yu H, Diehl T, Tan Q, Kahn RA, Tsigaridis K, Bauer SE, Takemura T, Pozzoli L, Bellouin N, Schulz M, Peyridieu S, Chédin A, Koffi B (2014) Sources, sinks, and transatlantic transport of north african dust aerosol: a multimodal analysis and comparison with remote sensing data. J Geophys Res: Atmos 119:6259–6277. https://doi.org/10.1002/2013JD021099

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lesins G, Lohmann U (2003) GCM aerosol radiative effects using geographically varying aerosol sizes deduced from AERONET measurements. J Atmos Sci 60:2747–2763

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levy RC, Remer LA, Mattoo S, Vermote EF, Kaufman YJ (2007) Second-generation operational algorithm: retrieval of aerosol properties over land from inversion of moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer spectral reflectance. J Geophys Res 112:D13211

    Google Scholar 

  • Li J, Carlson BE, Dubrovnik O, Laces AA (2014) Recent trends in aerosol optical properties derived from AERONET measurements. Atmos Chem Phys 14:12271–12289. https://doi.org/10.5194/Acp-14-12271-2014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu C, Shen X, Gao W (2018) Intercomparison Of CALIOP, MODIS, And AERONET aerosol optical depth over China during the past decade. Int J Remote Sens 39(21):7251–7275. https://doi.org/10.1080/01431161.2018.1466070

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Myhre G, Hoyle CR, Berglen TF, Johnson BT, Haywood JM (2008) Modeling of the solar radiative impact of biomass burning aerosols during the Dust and Biomass-Burning Experiment (DABEX). J Geophys Res 113:D00c16. https://doi.org/10.1029/2008jd009857

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen DL, Bui TH, Nguyen HH, Bui QT, Do HD (2020) Inter-comparison between MODIS satellite-based and AERONET ground-based aerosol optical depth products in Vietnam. Vietnam J Sci Technol 58(3A):124. https://doi.org/10.15625/2525-2518/58/3A/14340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nwofor OK, Dike VN, Lin Z, Pinker R, Onyeuwaoma N (2018) Fine mode aerosol loading over a sub Sahel location and its relation with the West African Monsoon. Aerosol Sci Eng 2:74–91

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oluleye A, Ogunjobi KO, Bernard A, Ajayi VO, Akinsanola AA (2012) Multiyear Analysis Of Ground-Based Sun photometer (AERONET) aerosol optical properties and its comparison with satellite observations over West Africa. Global J Human Soc Sci, Geogr Environ Geosci 12:31–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Satheesh SK, Ramanathan V, Holben BN, Krishnaoorthy K, Loeb NG, Maring H, Prospero JM, Savoie D (2002) Chemical, microphysical, and radiative effects of Indian Ocean aerosols. J Geophys Res 107(D23):4725. https://doi.org/10.1029/2002jd002463

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schuster GL, Dubovik O, Holben B (2006) Angstrom exponent and bimodal aerosol size distribution. J Geophy Res 111:D07207

    Google Scholar 

  • Schutgens N, Sayer AM, Heckel A, Hsu C, Jethva H, Deleeuw G, Leonard PJT, Levy RC, Lipponen A, Lyapustin A, North P, Popp T, Poulson C, Sawyer V, Sogacheva L, Thomas G, Torres O, Wang Y, Kinne S, Schulz M, Stier P (2020) An AEROCOM/AEROSAT study: inter-comparison of satellite AOD data sets for aerosol model evaluation. Atmos Chem Phys 20(1):12431–12457

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sherman JP, Gupta P, Levy RC, Sherman PJ (2016) An evaluation of MODIS-retrieved aerosol optical depth over a mountainous AERONET site in the Southeastern US. Aerosol Air Qual Res 16:3243–3255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smirnov A, Holben BN, Eck TF, Dubovik O, Slutsker I (2000) Cloud screening and quality control algorithm for the AERONET database. Remote Sens Environ 73:334–337

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soni K, Singh S, Tarannum Bano RS, Tanwar & Shambhu Nath, (2011) Wavelength dependence of the aerosol angstrom exponent and its implications over Delhi, India. Aerosol Sci Technol 45(12):1488–1498

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang J, Zhao Q, Cui S, Zhu C (2012) Assessment of aerosol modes used in the MODIS ocean aerosol retrieval. J Atmos Sci 69:3595–3605

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y, Li Z, Qie L, Zhang Y, Liu Z, Chen X, Hou W, Li K, Li D, Xu H (2016) Retrieval of aerosol fine-mode fraction from intensity and polarization measurements by PARASOL over East Asia. Remote Sens 8(5):417. https://doi.org/10.3390/Rs8050417

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Atmospheric Physics Group, Department of Physics and Industrial Physics, Imo State University, PMB 2000, Owerri, Nigeria

    Okechukwu K. Nwofor & Anthony A. Uroh

  2. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

    Chukwuma Anoruo

Authors
  1. Okechukwu K. Nwofor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Anthony A. Uroh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Chukwuma Anoruo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Okechukwu K. Nwofor.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

There is no conflict of interest declared in this work.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Nwofor, O.K., Uroh, A.A. & Anoruo, C. The Influence of Fine-Mode Aerosols on MODIS–AERONET Aerosol Optical Depth Disparities in the Sahel West Africa. Aerosol Sci Eng 7, 251–260 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41810-023-00177-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41810-023-00177-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation