Reducing greenhouse gas retrieval biases improving aerosol representation
Listed on 2026-05-08
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Research/Development
Research Scientist, Agriculture / Farming
Aerosols have a profound impact on climate, influencing the energy budget through their direct and indirect effects. These effects represent an important source of uncertainty in greenhouse gas retrievals from remote sensing data, particularly for near-infrared space-based observations. Consequently, retrieving greenhouse gases under high aerosol loading conditions remains a significant challenge. To improve aerosol and greenhouse gas retrievals in regions with high aerosol loading such as the Sahel, volcanic areas, and megacities, we have been developing a methodology to enhance Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) and Aerosol Layer Height (ALH) retrievals.
These improved products can subsequently be used as a priori information in greenhouse gas retrievals. Initial results show that this methodology produces improved Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2/3 (OCO-2/3) AOD and ALH retrievals, resulting in more accurate subsequent greenhouse gas retrievals for the OCO instruments. This project represents a continuous effort to retrieve improved greenhouse gas measurements, such as XCO2, from OCO-2 and OCO-3 satellites under challenging aerosol conditions including volcanic activity, megacities, deserts, and biomass burning.
The retrieved greenhouse gases will be validated against other available XCO2 datasets, and if the validation is successful, a global retrieval will be conducted to produce an enhanced greenhouse gas product for OCO-2. By enhancing greenhouse gas retrievals, this project aims to advance our understanding of global carbon cycle science.
Earth Science
Advisors- Vijay Natraj (vijay.natraja.gov)
- U.S. Citizens;
- U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);
- Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status;
- Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with
1) a valid EAD card and
2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status
- Degree:
Doctoral Degree.
- Expertise in greenhouse gas remote sensing and/or retrievals.
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