Optical–Physical Characteristics of Low Clouds and Aerosols in South America Based on Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation
Clouds and aerosols, as important factors in the Earth’s climate system, have significant impacts on the atmospheric environment and global climate. This study investigated the optical and physical properties of clouds and aerosols over South America from 2006 to 2021 using CALIPSO Level 2 products....
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| author | Bo Su Dekai Lin Ziji Liu Qingyan Wu Wenkai Song Miao Zhang |
| author_facet | Bo Su Dekai Lin Ziji Liu Qingyan Wu Wenkai Song Miao Zhang |
| author_sort | Bo Su |
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| description | Clouds and aerosols, as important factors in the Earth’s climate system, have significant impacts on the atmospheric environment and global climate. This study investigated the optical and physical properties of clouds and aerosols over South America from 2006 to 2021 using CALIPSO Level 2 products. South America was divided into four regions: A (Western Andean Mountains), B (Northern Orinoco and Amazon plains), C (Southern La Plata Plains), and D (Eastern Brazilian Highlands). Seasonal variations in the optical properties of low clouds and their interactions with the lowest-layer aerosols were analyzed and compared. The results indicate that Region C had the highest OP<sub>lc</sub> (probability of low clouds) and AOD<sub>lc</sub> (AOD (Aerosol Optical Depth) of low clouds, likely due to its flat terrain and westerly influences. Both AOD<sub>lc</sub> and OP<sub>lc</sub> were higher in September–November compared to other seasons. DR<sub>lc</sub> (depolarization ratio of low clouds) values were higher in Regions C and D, particularly in September–February, possibly due to topographic effects and more precipitation and higher humidity during this period. The elevated CR<sub>lc</sub> (color ratio of low clouds) in Region A may be attributed to the Andes blocking warm, moist air, leading to increased precipitation and cloud particle content. HL<sub>lc</sub> (top height of low clouds) and BL<sub>lc</sub> (base altitude of low clouds) were positively correlated with geographic elevation, while T<sub>lc</sub> (thickness of low clouds) was greater at night, potentially due to enhanced atmospheric stability. Furthermore, strong correlations among certain parameters suggested significant interactions between aerosols and clouds. |
| format | Article |
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| language | English |
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| spelling | doaj-art-0ae34e3d90ca4cc8a8d182fb64c8c2282025-08-20T02:53:27ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332024-12-011512151310.3390/atmos15121513Optical–Physical Characteristics of Low Clouds and Aerosols in South America Based on Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite ObservationBo Su0Dekai Lin1Ziji Liu2Qingyan Wu3Wenkai Song4Miao Zhang5Academy of Remote Sensing Technology and Application, Nanyang Normal University, Wolong Road No. 1638, Nanyang 473061, ChinaAcademy of Remote Sensing Technology and Application, Nanyang Normal University, Wolong Road No. 1638, Nanyang 473061, ChinaAcademy of Remote Sensing Technology and Application, Nanyang Normal University, Wolong Road No. 1638, Nanyang 473061, ChinaAcademy of Remote Sensing Technology and Application, Nanyang Normal University, Wolong Road No. 1638, Nanyang 473061, ChinaAcademy of Remote Sensing Technology and Application, Nanyang Normal University, Wolong Road No. 1638, Nanyang 473061, ChinaAcademy of Remote Sensing Technology and Application, Nanyang Normal University, Wolong Road No. 1638, Nanyang 473061, ChinaClouds and aerosols, as important factors in the Earth’s climate system, have significant impacts on the atmospheric environment and global climate. This study investigated the optical and physical properties of clouds and aerosols over South America from 2006 to 2021 using CALIPSO Level 2 products. South America was divided into four regions: A (Western Andean Mountains), B (Northern Orinoco and Amazon plains), C (Southern La Plata Plains), and D (Eastern Brazilian Highlands). Seasonal variations in the optical properties of low clouds and their interactions with the lowest-layer aerosols were analyzed and compared. The results indicate that Region C had the highest OP<sub>lc</sub> (probability of low clouds) and AOD<sub>lc</sub> (AOD (Aerosol Optical Depth) of low clouds, likely due to its flat terrain and westerly influences. Both AOD<sub>lc</sub> and OP<sub>lc</sub> were higher in September–November compared to other seasons. DR<sub>lc</sub> (depolarization ratio of low clouds) values were higher in Regions C and D, particularly in September–February, possibly due to topographic effects and more precipitation and higher humidity during this period. The elevated CR<sub>lc</sub> (color ratio of low clouds) in Region A may be attributed to the Andes blocking warm, moist air, leading to increased precipitation and cloud particle content. HL<sub>lc</sub> (top height of low clouds) and BL<sub>lc</sub> (base altitude of low clouds) were positively correlated with geographic elevation, while T<sub>lc</sub> (thickness of low clouds) was greater at night, potentially due to enhanced atmospheric stability. Furthermore, strong correlations among certain parameters suggested significant interactions between aerosols and clouds.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/12/1513low cloudsaerosoloptical propertyvertical distributionCALIPSO satellite |
| spellingShingle | Bo Su Dekai Lin Ziji Liu Qingyan Wu Wenkai Song Miao Zhang Optical–Physical Characteristics of Low Clouds and Aerosols in South America Based on Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation Atmosphere low clouds aerosol optical property vertical distribution CALIPSO satellite |
| title | Optical–Physical Characteristics of Low Clouds and Aerosols in South America Based on Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation |
| title_full | Optical–Physical Characteristics of Low Clouds and Aerosols in South America Based on Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation |
| title_fullStr | Optical–Physical Characteristics of Low Clouds and Aerosols in South America Based on Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optical–Physical Characteristics of Low Clouds and Aerosols in South America Based on Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation |
| title_short | Optical–Physical Characteristics of Low Clouds and Aerosols in South America Based on Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation |
| title_sort | optical physical characteristics of low clouds and aerosols in south america based on cloud aerosol lidar and infrared pathfinder satellite observation |
| topic | low clouds aerosol optical property vertical distribution CALIPSO satellite |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/12/1513 |
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