Retrieval of aerosol mass load (PM10) from MERIS/Envisat top of atmosphere spectral reflectance measurements over Germany

Results of a new methodology for retrievals of surface particulate matter concentration (PM10) from satellite reflectance measurements over Germany are presented in this paper. The retrieval derives effective radii from Angstrom-alpha exponents and benefits from the fitting of a smooth spectral slope from seven MERIS spectrometer channels. Comparisons with ground measurements from the air quality surveillance show standard deviations of 33.9% with - 18.9% bias over Hamburg. Over rural sites a standard deviation of 17.9% (bias 12.9%) is reached. We discuss critically limitations and potential applications of the retrieval. Additionally, we talk about the aspects at comparing of retrieved particulate matter with ground station measurements.