Linearization of Markov chain formalism for vector radiative transfer in a plane-parallel atmosphere/surface system.

The Markov chain formalism for polarized radiative transfer through a vertically inhomogeneous atmosphere is linearized comprehensively with respect to the aerosol and polarizing surface properties. For verification, numerical results are compared to those obtained by the finite difference method. We demonstrate the use of the linearized code as part of a retrieval of aerosol and surface properties for an atmosphere overlying a black and Fresnel-reflecting ocean surface.

Bichromatic method for identification of clear-sky scenarios over ground pixel viewed from space.

We propose a method for identifying clear-sky scenarios from a measurement time series over satellite-observed ground pixels of unknown surface albedo and aerosol type. The lack of a general monotonic relationship between aerosol loading and observed reflectance encumbers the ordering of the observation time series according to aerosol loading. This problem is ameliorated by using two wavelengths at which the surface albedos are known to differ. Treating an observation as being cloud/aerosol free allows for the determination of the corresponding Lambertian equivalent albedo, the relative contrast of which at the two wavelengths varies monotonically with respect to aerosol-loading, clear-sky and completely clouded scenarios representing the extreme cases. Applying this method to the Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography measurements over a nondark surface, we validate it by comparing measured against modeled O(2) A- and B-band absorption at the retrieved albedo in an aerosol-free atmosphere.