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Advances in Retrieval and Validation of Atmospheric Components by Remote Sensing

A special issue of Remote Sensing (ISSN 2072-4292). This special issue belongs to the section "Atmospheric Remote Sensing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 2532

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yuhan Luo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Environmental Optics & Technology, Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
Interests: trace gases; aerosol retrieval; remote sensing; retrieval algorithms for atmospheric components; satellite product validation; polar regions
Dr. Lei Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Meteorology and Oceanography, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China
Interests: remote sensing; radiative transfer; infrared hyperspectral remote sensing; retrieval algorithms for cloud
Dr. Shanshan Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
Interests: atmospheric remote sensing; optical technique; atmospheric chemistry; air quality
Dr. Youwen Sun

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Environmental Optics & Technology, Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
Interests: greenhouse gases; air pollution; remote sensing; retrieval; atmospheric environment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Satellite remote sensing plays a crucial role in monitoring atmospheric components and cloud parameters by providing a matchless global perspective with consistency over long periods, leading to a boom in related research on air quality, trace gases, and greenhouse gas (GHG) measurements. The ground-based observation networks, which provide important in situ and high-resolution calibration data, contributed significantly to validating satellite data products. For example, ground-based Fourier Transform Spectrometers (FTSs), which have become part of the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON), can provide precise and accurate measurements of the column-averaged dry-air mole fraction of atmospheric XCO2. Multi-Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) and other monitoring equipment have been used to build a network to monitor total column amounts and vertical profiles of aerosol and trace gases. The China Aerosol Remote Sensing Network (CARSNET) and Sun/sky-radiometer Observation NETwork (SONET) provide important validation data of aerosol optical and micro-physical properties in China.

This Special Issue is aimed at studies covering different platforms that provide calibration or validation of satellite products. Topics may cover anything from the method of validation between different platform to their application in typical areas or to trace gas components, as well as more comprehensive aims and scales. Hence, multisource data integration, multiscale approaches, or studies focused on the retrieval and validation of atmospheric components and clouds by remote sensing, among other issues, are welcome.

Articles may address, but are not limited, to the following topics:

  • Trace gases retrieval and validation;
  • Cloud retrieval and validation;
  • Applications in atmospheric chemistry research;
  • Air quality;
  • Greenhouse gases;
  • Air pollution;
  • Global or regional networks;
  • Satellite product validation.

Dr. Yuhan Luo
Dr. Lei Liu
Dr. Shanshan Wang
Dr. Youwen Sun
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Remote Sensing is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • satellite trace gas product validation
  • satellite cloud product validation
  • trace gas vertical profile
  • atmospheric composition
  • high-resolution imaging
  • data assimilation
  • data fusion

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 11251 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Tropospheric NO2 Observation Using Pandora and MAX-DOAS Instrument in Xianghe, North China
by Chunjiao Wang, Ting Wang, Zhaonan Cai, Xiaoyi Zhao, Wannan Wang, Yi Liu and Pucai Wang
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(10), 1695; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17101695 - 12 May 2025
Viewed by 132
Abstract
This work presents a comprehensive investigation of tropospheric NO2 measurements using a portable ground-based Pandora spectrometer, incorporating an independently designed and implemented calibration and retrieval process (P-CAR v1.0). We designed and optimized a region-specific algorithm for retrieving tropospheric NO2 column densities [...] Read more.
This work presents a comprehensive investigation of tropospheric NO2 measurements using a portable ground-based Pandora spectrometer, incorporating an independently designed and implemented calibration and retrieval process (P-CAR v1.0). We designed and optimized a region-specific algorithm for retrieving tropospheric NO2 column densities in China. The measurement process began with establishing a spectral calibration system for processing the Pandora’s raw observations, followed by enhancing the differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) algorithm to retrieve both the slant column densities (SCDs) and tropospheric vertical column densities (VCDs) of NO2. To validate our retrieval products, comparative analyses were conducted against co-located MAX-DOAS measurements. The results demonstrate excellent agreement between Pandora-retrieved tropospheric NO2 and MAX-DOAS observations, with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.96 for both hourly and daily mean VCDs and fitting slopes greater than 0.90. Furthermore, the validation extended to multi-satellite observations from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), exhibiting pronounced consistency, as evidenced by the correlation coefficients all surpassing 0.90 for the hourly mean values. These findings confirm the high accuracy and reliability of NO2 retrievals from the portable Pandora instrument, significantly boosting its potential for atmospheric monitoring and application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Retrieval and Validation of Atmospheric Components by Remote Sensing)
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22 pages, 4687 KiB  
Article
Novel Insights into the Vertical Distribution Patterns of Multiple PM2.5 Components in a Super Mega-City: Responses to Pollution Control Strategies
by Yifan Song, Ting Yang, Ping Tian, Hongyi Li, Yutong Tian, Yining Tan, Yele Sun and Zifa Wang
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(7), 1151; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17071151 - 24 Mar 2025
Viewed by 275
Abstract
The vertical profiles of PM2.5 chemical components are crucial for tracing pollution development, determining causes, and improving air quality. Yet, previous studies only yielded transient and sparse results due to technological limitations. Comprehensive analysis of component vertical distribution across an entire boundary [...] Read more.
The vertical profiles of PM2.5 chemical components are crucial for tracing pollution development, determining causes, and improving air quality. Yet, previous studies only yielded transient and sparse results due to technological limitations. Comprehensive analysis of component vertical distribution across an entire boundary layer remains challenging. Here, we provided a first-ever vertical–temporal continuous dataset of aerosol component concentrations, including sulfate (SO42−), ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO3−), organic matter (OM), and black carbon (BC), using ground-based remote sensing retrieval. The retrieved dataset showed high correlations with in situ chemical observation, with all components exceeding 0.75 and some surpassing 0.90. Using the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics as an example, we observed distinct vertical patterns and responses to meteorology and emissions of different components under strictly controlled conditions. During the Paralympics, the emissions contribution (51.12%) surpassed meteorology (48.88%), except SO42− and NO3−. Inorganics showed high-altitude transport features, while organics were surface-concentrated, with high-altitude inorganic(organic) concentrations 1.19(0.56) times higher than those near the surface. SO42− peaked at 919 m and 1516 m, NH4+ and NO3− showed an additional peak near 300–500 m, influenced by surface sources and secondary generation. The inorganics exhibited a transport-holding–sinking–resurging process, with NO3− reaching higher and sinking more. By contrast, organic components massified near 200 m, with a slight increase in high-altitude transport by time. The dispersion of all components driven by a north-westerly wind started 5 h earlier at high altitudes than near the surface, marking the end of the process. The insights gleaned highlight regional inorganic impacts and local organic impacts under the coupling of emission control and meteorology, thus offering helpful guidance for source attribution and targeted control policies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Retrieval and Validation of Atmospheric Components by Remote Sensing)
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18 pages, 8230 KiB  
Article
Airborne Mapping of Atmospheric Ammonia in a Mixed Discrete and Diffuse Emission Environment
by David M. Tratt, Clement S. Chang, Eric R. Keim, Kerry N. Buckland, Morad Alvarez, Olga Kalashnikova, Sina Hasheminassab, Michael J. Garay, Yaning Miao, William C. Porter, Francesca M. Hopkins, Payam Pakbin and Mohammad Sowlat
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(1), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17010095 - 30 Dec 2024
Viewed by 788
Abstract
Airborne longwave-infrared (LWIR) hyperspectral imagery acquisitions were coordinated with stationary and mobile ground-based in situ measurements of atmospheric ammonia in regions surrounding California’s Salton Sea, an area of commingled intensive animal husbandry and agriculture operations that is encumbered by exceptionally high levels of [...] Read more.
Airborne longwave-infrared (LWIR) hyperspectral imagery acquisitions were coordinated with stationary and mobile ground-based in situ measurements of atmospheric ammonia in regions surrounding California’s Salton Sea, an area of commingled intensive animal husbandry and agriculture operations that is encumbered by exceptionally high levels of persistent ammonia and PM2.5 pollution. The goal of this study was to validate remotely sensed ammonia retrievals against ground truth measurements as part of a broader effort to elucidate the behavior of the atmospheric ammonia burden in this area of abundant diffuse and point sources. The nominal 2 m pixel size of the airborne data revealed variability in ammonia concentrations at a diversity of scales within the study area. At this pixel resolution, ammonia plumes emitted by individual facilities could be clearly discriminated and their dispersion characteristics inferred. Several factors, including thermal contrast and atmospheric boundary layer depth, contributed to the overall uncertainty of the intercomparison between airborne ammonia quantitative retrievals and the corresponding in situ measurements, for which agreement was in the 16–37% range under the most favorable conditions. Hence, while the findings attest to the viability of airborne LWIR spectral imaging for quantifying atmospheric ammonia concentrations, the accuracy of ground-level estimations depends significantly on precise knowledge of these atmospheric factors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Retrieval and Validation of Atmospheric Components by Remote Sensing)
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17 pages, 8464 KiB  
Article
Sensitivity Analysis of Gas Retrieval from FS MAX-DOAS Measurements
by Jiangman Xu, Ang Li, Zhaokun Hu and Hongmei Ren
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17010004 - 24 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 568
Abstract
Multi-axis differential absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) has become an important tool for detecting trace gases in optical remote sensing. At present, the temporal resolution of the system using the traditional motor-rotated elevation telescope is extremely low. We focus on studying the atmospheric radiation transmission [...] Read more.
Multi-axis differential absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) has become an important tool for detecting trace gases in optical remote sensing. At present, the temporal resolution of the system using the traditional motor-rotated elevation telescope is extremely low. We focus on studying the atmospheric radiation transmission of fast synchronous MAX-DOAS (FS MAX-DOAS), which has greatly improved the temporal resolution on the ground and on mobile platforms and the influence of related parameters on the atmospheric mass factor (AMF), which is used to guide the design and experiments of the new system. The optimal elevation angle combination, the spectral resolution, and the specific effects of relevant parameters on the AMF during profile inversion by the new system were analyzed, and the feasibility of the new system for mobile MAX-DOAS was evaluated. The inversion results of the measured spectra collected by the system show that FS MAX-DOAS can meet the requirements of both ground and mobile platform observation scenarios. The results of our sensitivity study are of great significance for guiding experiments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Retrieval and Validation of Atmospheric Components by Remote Sensing)
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