Aerosol retrieval using synthetic POLDER multi-angular data

The POLarization and Directionality of the Earth's Reflectances (POLDER) instrument onboard the Japanese ADEOS satellite offers unique possibilities for the retrieval of aerosol parameters with its polarization and multi-angular capability. In this study the authors examine a technique that simultaneously retrieve multiple aerosol parameters, namely asymmetry factor, single-scattering albedo, surface albedo, and optical thickness, using simulated POLDER reflectances. It is found that, over dark or bright surfaces, simultaneous retrieval of multiple parameters is indeed possible, but not over surfaces with intermediate reflectivity. Among the four parameters, the single-scattering albedo is retrieved with the best accuracy and is the least vulnerable when the reflectance value is subjected to a 0.1% white noise.