Tosco et al. (2025) Comparison of Broadband Surface Albedo from MODIS and Ground-Based Measurements at the Thule High Arctic Atmospheric Observatory in Pituffik, Greenland, During 2016–2024

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Identification

• Journal: Remote Sensing
• Year: 2025
• Date: 2025-12-06
• Authors: Monica Tosco, Filippo Calì Quaglia, Virginia Ciardini, Tatiana Di Iorio, Antonio Iaccarino, Daniela Meloni, Giovanni Muscari, Giandomenico Pace, Claudio Scarchilli, Alcide di Sarra
• DOI: 10.3390/rs17243952

Research Groups

Thule High Arctic Atmospheric Observatory (THAAO)

Short Summary

This study compares satellite-derived (MODIS) and ground-based broadband surface albedo measurements at the Thule High Arctic Atmospheric Observatory (THAAO) in Greenland, finding good agreement in snow-free summer conditions but significant discrepancies during transition seasons and for rapid albedo changes.

Objective

• To compare satellite-derived broadband surface albedo with in situ measurements at a high Arctic site (THAAO) to assess the satellite's capability in challenging polar conditions, particularly concerning seasonal variability and rapid changes.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Point measurements at Thule High Arctic Atmospheric Observatory (THAAO) on the northwestern coast of Greenland (76.5°N, 68.8°W).
• Temporal Scale: Daily comparisons from July 2016 to October 2024; combined analysis of albedo, cloudiness, air temperature, and precipitation characteristics during two periods in 2023 and 2024.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Not applicable (direct measurement comparison).
• Data sources: Satellite (MODIS) and in situ ground-based measurements at THAAO.

Main Results

• The mean bias and mean squared difference between MODIS and ground-based albedo are -0.02 and 0.09, respectively, for all-sky conditions, and -0.03 and 0.06 for cloud-free conditions.
• Very good agreement is observed in summer under snow-free, cloud-free conditions, with a mean albedo of 0.17 in both datasets.
• Satellite capability to determine surface albedo is largely reduced in transition seasons (spring and autumn), where differences for all-sky conditions can be as large as 0.3.
• These maximum differences are significantly reduced for cloud-free conditions, though a negative bias of MODIS data is generally found in spring.
• Satellite observations provide a reasonable picture of long-term albedo evolution but struggle to capture fast changes induced by snow/rain precipitation or temperature variations.
• Cloudiness significantly impacts satellite measurement capabilities.
• The use of MODIS albedo data with a quality assurance flag of 0 is recommended for studies on daily surface radiation and energy budget.

Contributions

• Provides a comprehensive, long-term validation of satellite (MODIS) broadband surface albedo products against ground-based measurements in a critical high Arctic environment.
• Quantifies the performance of satellite albedo retrieval under various sky conditions (all-sky vs. cloud-free) and seasonal changes, highlighting specific limitations in transition seasons and for rapid albedo variations.
• Emphasizes the significant role of cloudiness and fast meteorological events (precipitation, temperature changes) in affecting satellite albedo accuracy in polar regions.
• Offers a practical recommendation for MODIS data usage (QA flag 0) for specific research applications.

Funding

Not specified in the provided text.

Citation

@article{Tosco2025Comparison,
  author = {Tosco, Monica and Quaglia, Filippo Calì and Ciardini, Virginia and Iorio, Tatiana Di and Iaccarino, Antonio and Meloni, Daniela and Muscari, Giovanni and Pace, Giandomenico and Scarchilli, Claudio and Sarra, Alcide di},
  title = {Comparison of Broadband Surface Albedo from MODIS and Ground-Based Measurements at the Thule High Arctic Atmospheric Observatory in Pituffik, Greenland, During 2016–2024},
  journal = {Remote Sensing},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.3390/rs17243952},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17243952}
}