Validation of EarthCARE Atmospheric Lidar (ATLID) using the Asian Dust and aerosol lidar observation Network (AD-Net)

^(a) National Institute for Environmental Studies 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba 305-8506 Japan
^(b) National Institute of Information Communications Technology 4-2-1 Nukuikita, Koganei, Tokyo 184-0015 Japan
^(c) University of Toyama 3190 Gofuku, Toyama 930-8555 Japan
^(d) Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, Kyushu University 6-1 Kasugakouen, Kasuga 816-8580 Japan
^(e) Center for Environmental Remote Sensing, Chiba University 1-33 Yayoi, Inage, Chiba 263-8522 Japan
^(f) Meteorological Research Institute, Japan Meteorological Agency 1-1 Nagamine, Tsukuba 305-0052 Japan This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published online: 9 April 2026

Abstract

Validation of the ATLID JAXA Level 2a data using ground-based HSRLs, Raman-scattering lidars, and Mie-scattering lidars in AD-Net is described. The ATLID level 2a standard product consists of feature mask, target mask, optical parameters for aerosols and clouds (extinction coefficient, backscattering coefficient, lidar ratio, particle depolarization ratio), and planetary boundary layer height. The ATLID JAXA L2a research product provides extinction coefficients for aerosol components (water soluble, mineral dust, sea salt, black carbon). Direct comparison with the ground-based 355-nm HSRLs and Raman lidars is the basic method for validating the aerosol optical parameters. Statistical comparison will be employed in suitable temporal-spatial regions for feature mask, target mask and cloud optical parameters. A data matching method considering the trajectory of air mass will be also employed. The aerosol component products will be validated with multi-wavelength HSRLs and Raman lidars having more measurement parameters.