Assessment of using spaceborne LiDAR to monitor the particulate backscatter coefficient on large, freshwater lakes: A test using CALIPSO on Lake Michigan

The Cloud-Aerosol LiDAR and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) satellite was launched in 2006 with the primary goal of measuring properties clouds aerosols Earth’s atmosphere using LiDAR. Since then, numerous studies have shown viability CALIPSO to observe day/night differences subsurface optical oceans large seas from space. To date no been done on monitor large, freshwater-lakes. This is likely due limited spatial resolution CALIPSO, which makes mapping regions smaller than impractical. Still, does pass over some world’s largest, freshwater-lakes, yielding important information about water. Here we use entire data record (approximately 15 years) measure particulate backscatter coefficient ( b bp , m −1 ) across Lake Michigan. We then compare derived values imagery obtained MODIS situ measurements. Critically, find that aligns better non-summer months when compared optically imagery. However, both high cloud coverage wind speeds Michigan, this comes caveat product its usability. close by speculating roll spaceborne LiDAR, including other satitlites, future monitoring Great Lakes bodies fresh