Validation of EarthCARE ATLID using the ground-based lidar network AD-Net

Validation experiments for the EarthCARE ATLID JAXA Level 2a data products using the ground-based lidar network, the Asian Dust and aerosol lidar observation Network (AD-Net) are described. The ATLID JAXA level 2a standard data product consists of the feature mask, target mask, and optical parameters for aerosols and clouds, and planetary boundary layer height. The ATLID JAXA L2a research data 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 in AD-Net is the basic method for validating the standard data products for aerosol. A data matching method considering the trajectory of air mass is employed. Statistical comparison in the suitable temporal and spatial regions is employed in the validation of feature mask, target mask and cloud optical parameters, because the spatial distribution scale is small for clouds. In the validation of the research data product (extinction coefficients of aerosol components), multi-wavelength HSR and Raman lidars are employed because the aerosol components can be better estimated with more measurement parameters.