Abstract
The POLDER (polarization and directionality of the earth reflectances) instrument, to be launched in 1996 on the Japanese ADEOS platform, includes a channel which covers the 910 nm water-vapor absorption band (near IR), as well as a channel at 865 nm. It is expected that the ratio of the two reflectance measurements can yield an estimate of the total atmospheric water vapor content. The major uncertainties on this estimate result from (1) the surface reflectance spectral signature, (2) scattering by atmospheric aerosol, and (3) the water-vapor vertical profile. A radiative transfer model has been developed in order to quantify these uncertainties. From radiative transfer simulations, an uncertainty on the order of 10% is expected on the total water vapor amount. Moreover, an airborne version of the POLDER instrument has been developed and flown over various targets. These targets include semi arid surfaces (Sahel), bog, coniferous and deciduous forest (Boreal forest) and the ocean. Water vapor measurements from radiosondes, concomitant with the POLDER measurements, are available. These data are used for the method validation.
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