The sensitivity of aerosol data assimilation to vertical profiles: case study of dust storm assimilation with LOTOS-EUROS v2.2

<p>Modelling and observational techniques are pivotal in aerosol research, yet each approach exhibits inherent limitations. Aerosol observation is constrained by its limited spatial and temporal coverage compared to that of models. On the other hand, models tend to possess higher uncertainties...

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Main Authors: M. Pang, J. Jin, T. Yang, X. Chen, A. Segers, B. Buyantogtokh, Y. Gu, J. Li, H. X. Lin, H. Liao, W. Han
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2025-06-01
Series:Geoscientific Model Development
Online Access:https://gmd.copernicus.org/articles/18/3781/2025/gmd-18-3781-2025.pdf
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author M. Pang
M. Pang
J. Jin
T. Yang
X. Chen
A. Segers
B. Buyantogtokh
Y. Gu
J. Li
H. X. Lin
H. X. Lin
H. Liao
W. Han
author_facet M. Pang
M. Pang
J. Jin
T. Yang
X. Chen
A. Segers
B. Buyantogtokh
Y. Gu
J. Li
H. X. Lin
H. X. Lin
H. Liao
W. Han
author_sort M. Pang
collection DOAJ
description <p>Modelling and observational techniques are pivotal in aerosol research, yet each approach exhibits inherent limitations. Aerosol observation is constrained by its limited spatial and temporal coverage compared to that of models. On the other hand, models tend to possess higher uncertainties and biases compared to observations. Aerosol data assimilation has gained popularity as it combines the advantages of both methods. Despite numerous studies in this domain, few have addressed the challenges faced in assimilating aerosol data with significant differences in magnitude and degree of freedom between the model state and observations, especially in the vertical direction. These challenges can lead to the preservation – or even the exacerbation – of structural inaccuracies within the assimilation process. This study investigates the sensitivity of dust aerosol data assimilation to the vertical structure of the aerosol profile. We assimilate a variety of dust observations, encompassing ground-based particulate matter (<span class="inline-formula">PM<sub>10</sub></span>) measurements, and satellite-derived dust optical depth (DOD) data, using the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF). The assimilation process is elucidated, detailing the assimilation of raw ground-based and satellite-based observations for an optimized three-dimensional (3D) posterior state. To demonstrate the impact of accurate vs. erroneous prior aerosol vertical profiles on the assimilation result, we select three cases of super dust storms for analysis. Our findings reveal that the assimilation of ground observations would optimize the dust field at the ground in general. However, the vertical structure presents a more complex challenge. When the prior profile accurately reflects the true vertical structure, the assimilation process can successfully preserve this structure. Conversely, if the prior profile introduces an incorrect structure, the assimilation can significantly deteriorate the integrity of the aerosol profile. This is also found in the assimilation of DOD, which exhibits a comparable pattern in its sensitivity to the initial aerosol profile's accuracy.</p>
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spelling doaj-art-669da871b16142b3a07e32b07af56f5f2025-08-20T02:20:38ZengCopernicus PublicationsGeoscientific Model Development1991-959X1991-96032025-06-01183781379810.5194/gmd-18-3781-2025The sensitivity of aerosol data assimilation to vertical profiles: case study of dust storm assimilation with LOTOS-EUROS v2.2M. Pang0M. Pang1J. Jin2T. Yang3X. Chen4A. Segers5B. Buyantogtokh6Y. Gu7J. Li8H. X. Lin9H. X. Lin10H. Liao11W. Han12State Key Laboratory of Climate System Prediction and Risk Management, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, ChinaDelft Institute of Applied Mathematics, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the NetherlandsState Key Laboratory of Climate System Prediction and Risk Management, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry (LAPC), Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Climate System Prediction and Risk Management, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, ChinaDepartment of Climate, Air and Sustainability, TNO, Utrecht, the NetherlandsInformation and Research Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Environment, Ulaanbaatar, MongoliaState Key Laboratory of Climate System Prediction and Risk Management, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Climate System Prediction and Risk Management, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, ChinaDelft Institute of Applied Mathematics, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the NetherlandsInstitute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, the NetherlandsState Key Laboratory of Climate System Prediction and Risk Management, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, ChinaCenter for Earth System Modeling and Prediction, Chinese Meteorological Administration, Beijing, China<p>Modelling and observational techniques are pivotal in aerosol research, yet each approach exhibits inherent limitations. Aerosol observation is constrained by its limited spatial and temporal coverage compared to that of models. On the other hand, models tend to possess higher uncertainties and biases compared to observations. Aerosol data assimilation has gained popularity as it combines the advantages of both methods. Despite numerous studies in this domain, few have addressed the challenges faced in assimilating aerosol data with significant differences in magnitude and degree of freedom between the model state and observations, especially in the vertical direction. These challenges can lead to the preservation – or even the exacerbation – of structural inaccuracies within the assimilation process. This study investigates the sensitivity of dust aerosol data assimilation to the vertical structure of the aerosol profile. We assimilate a variety of dust observations, encompassing ground-based particulate matter (<span class="inline-formula">PM<sub>10</sub></span>) measurements, and satellite-derived dust optical depth (DOD) data, using the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF). The assimilation process is elucidated, detailing the assimilation of raw ground-based and satellite-based observations for an optimized three-dimensional (3D) posterior state. To demonstrate the impact of accurate vs. erroneous prior aerosol vertical profiles on the assimilation result, we select three cases of super dust storms for analysis. Our findings reveal that the assimilation of ground observations would optimize the dust field at the ground in general. However, the vertical structure presents a more complex challenge. When the prior profile accurately reflects the true vertical structure, the assimilation process can successfully preserve this structure. Conversely, if the prior profile introduces an incorrect structure, the assimilation can significantly deteriorate the integrity of the aerosol profile. This is also found in the assimilation of DOD, which exhibits a comparable pattern in its sensitivity to the initial aerosol profile's accuracy.</p>https://gmd.copernicus.org/articles/18/3781/2025/gmd-18-3781-2025.pdf
spellingShingle M. Pang
M. Pang
J. Jin
T. Yang
X. Chen
A. Segers
B. Buyantogtokh
Y. Gu
J. Li
H. X. Lin
H. X. Lin
H. Liao
W. Han
The sensitivity of aerosol data assimilation to vertical profiles: case study of dust storm assimilation with LOTOS-EUROS v2.2
Geoscientific Model Development
title The sensitivity of aerosol data assimilation to vertical profiles: case study of dust storm assimilation with LOTOS-EUROS v2.2
title_full The sensitivity of aerosol data assimilation to vertical profiles: case study of dust storm assimilation with LOTOS-EUROS v2.2
title_fullStr The sensitivity of aerosol data assimilation to vertical profiles: case study of dust storm assimilation with LOTOS-EUROS v2.2
title_full_unstemmed The sensitivity of aerosol data assimilation to vertical profiles: case study of dust storm assimilation with LOTOS-EUROS v2.2
title_short The sensitivity of aerosol data assimilation to vertical profiles: case study of dust storm assimilation with LOTOS-EUROS v2.2
title_sort sensitivity of aerosol data assimilation to vertical profiles case study of dust storm assimilation with lotos euros v2 2
url https://gmd.copernicus.org/articles/18/3781/2025/gmd-18-3781-2025.pdf
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