Improving AOD Algorithm Evaluation: A Spatial Matching Method for Minimizing Quality Control Bias

Satellite-derived aerosol optical depth (AOD) products from MODIS and VIIRS sensors are vital for monitoring global aerosol distributions. However, inconsistencies in quality control algorithms and spatial resolution introduce errors that complicate validation processes and reduce the accuracy of sa...

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Main Authors: Bailin Du, Bo Zhong, He Cai, Shanlong Wu, Yang Qiao, Xiaoya Wang, Aixia Yang, Junjun Wu, Qinhuo Liu, Jinxiong Jiang, Haizhen Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Remote Sensing
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/7/1235
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author Bailin Du
Bo Zhong
He Cai
Shanlong Wu
Yang Qiao
Xiaoya Wang
Aixia Yang
Junjun Wu
Qinhuo Liu
Jinxiong Jiang
Haizhen Zhang
author_facet Bailin Du
Bo Zhong
He Cai
Shanlong Wu
Yang Qiao
Xiaoya Wang
Aixia Yang
Junjun Wu
Qinhuo Liu
Jinxiong Jiang
Haizhen Zhang
author_sort Bailin Du
collection DOAJ
description Satellite-derived aerosol optical depth (AOD) products from MODIS and VIIRS sensors are vital for monitoring global aerosol distributions. However, inconsistencies in quality control algorithms and spatial resolution introduce errors that complicate validation processes and reduce the accuracy of satellite-to-ground comparisons. This study proposes the “optimal” spatial matching method to minimize these errors and enable a more accurate evaluation of retrieval algorithm performance. Using AERONET ground observations from 2012 to 2021, MODIS and VIIRS AOD products were systematically validated with three spatial matching methods—“direct”, “average”, and “optimal”. Results demonstrate that the “optimal” method consistently outperformed the other methods by selecting pixel values. The study highlights significant quality control disparities across AOD products and demonstrates that high-resolution products, with purer pixels, achieve superior accuracy under the “optimal” method. These insights provide valuable guidance for optimizing dataset applications and refining aerosol retrieval algorithms.
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issn 2072-4292
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publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Remote Sensing
spelling doaj-art-9ccd827c381a4ff2be922f5bed61d5dc2025-08-20T02:09:17ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922025-03-01177123510.3390/rs17071235Improving AOD Algorithm Evaluation: A Spatial Matching Method for Minimizing Quality Control BiasBailin Du0Bo Zhong1He Cai2Shanlong Wu3Yang Qiao4Xiaoya Wang5Aixia Yang6Junjun Wu7Qinhuo Liu8Jinxiong Jiang9Haizhen Zhang10Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, ChinaAerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, ChinaAerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, ChinaAerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, ChinaAerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, ChinaAerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, ChinaAerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, ChinaAerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, ChinaAerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, ChinaSpace Star Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing 101399, ChinaKey Laboratory of Radiometric Calibration and Validation for Environmental Satellites, National Satellite Meteorological Center (National Center for Space Weather), China Meteorological Administration, Beijing 100081, ChinaSatellite-derived aerosol optical depth (AOD) products from MODIS and VIIRS sensors are vital for monitoring global aerosol distributions. However, inconsistencies in quality control algorithms and spatial resolution introduce errors that complicate validation processes and reduce the accuracy of satellite-to-ground comparisons. This study proposes the “optimal” spatial matching method to minimize these errors and enable a more accurate evaluation of retrieval algorithm performance. Using AERONET ground observations from 2012 to 2021, MODIS and VIIRS AOD products were systematically validated with three spatial matching methods—“direct”, “average”, and “optimal”. Results demonstrate that the “optimal” method consistently outperformed the other methods by selecting pixel values. The study highlights significant quality control disparities across AOD products and demonstrates that high-resolution products, with purer pixels, achieve superior accuracy under the “optimal” method. These insights provide valuable guidance for optimizing dataset applications and refining aerosol retrieval algorithms.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/7/1235aerosol optical depthproduct validationspatial matching methodquality control
spellingShingle Bailin Du
Bo Zhong
He Cai
Shanlong Wu
Yang Qiao
Xiaoya Wang
Aixia Yang
Junjun Wu
Qinhuo Liu
Jinxiong Jiang
Haizhen Zhang
Improving AOD Algorithm Evaluation: A Spatial Matching Method for Minimizing Quality Control Bias
Remote Sensing
aerosol optical depth
product validation
spatial matching method
quality control
title Improving AOD Algorithm Evaluation: A Spatial Matching Method for Minimizing Quality Control Bias
title_full Improving AOD Algorithm Evaluation: A Spatial Matching Method for Minimizing Quality Control Bias
title_fullStr Improving AOD Algorithm Evaluation: A Spatial Matching Method for Minimizing Quality Control Bias
title_full_unstemmed Improving AOD Algorithm Evaluation: A Spatial Matching Method for Minimizing Quality Control Bias
title_short Improving AOD Algorithm Evaluation: A Spatial Matching Method for Minimizing Quality Control Bias
title_sort improving aod algorithm evaluation a spatial matching method for minimizing quality control bias
topic aerosol optical depth
product validation
spatial matching method
quality control
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/7/1235
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