Multiple scattering by aerosols as seen from CALIPSO — a Monte-Carlo modelling study

Journal article, 2019

The impact of multiple scattering (MS) by aerosols on satellite-borne lidar measurements is studied by Monte-Carlo radiative transfer simulations. A total of 48 aerosol scenarios are considered. We find that the frequently used MS correction factor can be parameterized as a function of aerosol size and aerosol optical depth. Its dependencies on vertical distribution and total optical depth can be treated as a random error. We illustrate the use of our parameterization by considering an episode of high sea salt concentrations over the ocean. Neglecting MS, or using a constant value of the MS correction factor, can introduce a negative bias in the computed backscattered power that exceeds the random error in our approach. (C) 2019 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement