The retrieval of aerosol optical thickness with high spatial resolution using MODIS data over Guangzhou

The aerosol optical thickness (AOT) with high-resolution over Guangzhou was retrieved using the MODIS L1B data and the aerosol retrieval algorithm (V5.2) developed by NASA. The retrieval AOTs were validated by the ground-based measured AOTs derived from sun photometer (CE-318). This exercise indicated that it was reasonable to use MODIS L1B data for retrieval of high resolution AOT in regional scale. The AOT characteristics of spatial and temporal variation over Guangzhou were analyzed based on the retrieval results during winter of 2008~2009. The mean AOT was about 0.65 in December 2008, and then was increasing with temporal evolution, and the mean value was about 1.35 in February 2009. The value of AOT presented different spatial distribution pattern over Guangzhou, the higher value appeared in northeast region, the lower appeared in southwest and it was associated closely with forest area.