The uncertainty of MISR AOD product and its spread effect on the estimation of ultraviolet index

Abstract

The aerosol optical depth (AOD) has a weaken effect on the solar ultraviolet radiation, which has an important impact on human health. Taking the AOD weaken effect into consideration in the estimation of ultraviolet radiation helps to obtain an accurate result. However, the remotely sensed AOD has an uncertainty effect. By comparing the satellite remote sensing retrieval AOD with ground measured data in the period of 2005-2013 in Hong Kong, the uncertainty of AOD is obtained. The radiative transfer equation simulation method is used to get a quantitative evaluation of AOD uncertainty impact on the estimation of Ultraviolet Index (UVI). The results show that the uncertainty of remotely sensed AOD can cause one grade deviation of UVI in the worst situation.