Development of an Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) aerosol index (AI) data assimilation scheme for aerosol modeling over bright surfaces – a step toward direct radiance assimilation in the UV spectrum

Abstract. Using the Vector LInearized Discrete Ordinate Radiative Transfer (VLIDORT) code as main driver for forward model simulations, a first-of-its-kind data assimilation scheme has been developed assimilating Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) aerosol index (AI) measurements into Naval Aerosol Analysis and Predictive System (NAAPS). This study suggests that both root mean square error (RMSE) absolute errors can be significantly reduced in NAAPS analyses with use of OMI AI when compared to values from natural runs. Improvements simulations demonstrate utility analysis over cloudy regions bright surfaces. However, alone does not outperform uses passive-based optical depth (AOD) products cloud-free skies dark Further, requires deployment fully multiple-scatter-aware radiative transfer computational burden is an issue. Nevertheless, newly modeling system contains necessary ingredients radiances ultraviolet (UV) spectrum, our shows potential direct radiance at UV visible spectrums, possibly coupled AOD assimilation, applications future. Additional streams added, including TROPOspheric (TROPOMI), Mapping Profiler Suite (OMPS), eventually Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission.