Transmission and division of total optical depth method: A universal calibration method for Sun photometric measurements

Sun photometric measurements, which provide accurate and timely information on atmospheric components such as aerosols, clouds, and gases are important to climate research. For regions with heavy and variable aerosol loading, the traditional Langley plot method cannot be applied for Sun photometric instrument calibration, as almost no suitable prolonged periods with stable atmosphere and low-aerosol loading occurs. An improved calibration method, namely, the transmission and division of total optical depth method, is proposed in this study. Atmospheric total optical depth variation information obtained via other methods is transmitted, and period groups with similar atmospheric extinction effects are selected for Langley regression. This method is validated through calibration of a multifilter rotating shadowband radiometer under heavy aerosol-loading conditions. The obtained aerosol optical depth (AOD) compares well with the interpolated AOD from a Cimel Sun-sky radiometer.