PACE-OCI Unified Aerosol Algorithm: Characterizing Aerosols from UV to SWIR

The Ocean Color Instrument (OCI) aboard the PACE spacecraft has introduced advanced capabilities for aerosol remote sensing by offering high-resolution hyperspectral measurements spanning from the ultraviolet (UV) to the shortwave infrared (SWIR) spectrum. The Unified Aerosol Algorithm (UAA) leverages the strengths of three established aerosol retrieval algorithms—Dark Target (DT), Deep Blue (DB), and Near-UV (NUV)—to enhance and expand global aerosol characterization. Following the PACE mission's launch in February 2024, the UAA was successfully applied to OCI data and provide robust aerosol retrievals when compared to heritage products from VIIRS and TROPOMI. By combining the aerosol information from visible to UV spectrum, the UAA successfully retrieves aerosol properties beyond the traditional spectrum aerosol optical depth and UV Aerosol Index. The comprehensive products include aerosol size parameters, spectral single scattering albedo, and aerosol layer height and provide extensive coverages over regions where aerosols exist above clouds. Case studies illustrating the strengths and distinctive features of UAA products will be shown.