Developments of the Generalized Retrieval of Atmospheric and Surface Properties for the synergy of different satellites and ground-based networks: Advances in atmosphere and surface characterizations

Project Information

GRASP-SYNERGY

Grant agreement ID: 101131631

DOI

10.3030/101131631

EC signature date 16 October 2023

Start date 1 December 2023

End date 30 November 2027

Funded under

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 1 375 400,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERSIDAD DE GRANADA
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GRASP-SYNERGY (Developments of the Generalized Retrieval of Atmospheric and Surface Properties for the synergy of different satellites and ground-based networks: Advances in atmosphere and surface characterizations)

Reporting period: 2023-12-01 to 2025-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The “Developments of the Generalized Retrieval of Atmospheric and Surface Properties for the synergy of different satellites and ground-based networks: Advances in atmosphere and surface characterization (GRASP-SYNERGY)” project aims to create an international collaboration of universities, research institutes, companies, and space agencies working in atmospheric science. Partners from Europe will collaborate with organizations such as NASA, NOAA, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Kyoto College of Graduate Studies for Informatics, Henan University, and Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares. The collaboration focuses on improving how we measure and understand the atmosphere and Earth’s surface using both satellite and ground-based instruments.

The main goal is to further develop the GRASP algorithm so that measurements from many different instruments (satellites, ground sensors, and laboratory systems) can be combined. By merging these different sources of data, scientists can obtain more accurate and detailed information about aerosols (tiny particles in the air), atmospheric composition, and surface properties—something that a single instrument cannot achieve alone.

To achieve this, the project will:
• Improve models describing aerosol properties and how they scatter light.
• Upgrade the GRASP algorithm to better combine (“synergize”) different measurement types.
• Integrate data from multiple satellite missions supported by agencies such as European Space Agency and EUMETSAT.
• Combine satellite and ground-based monitoring networks (for example, AERONET) to validate and improve atmospheric retrievals.
• Promote staff exchanges, training, and joint research to strengthen cooperation between academia, industry, and space agencies.

The project is expected to improve atmospheric monitoring for current and future space missions, help develop better remote-sensing instruments and software, support industrial innovation in the space sector, and create new collaboration and employment opportunities.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Continuous high-resolution nephelometer measurements captured aerosol scattering properties, particularly during Saharan dust events, and supported the development of multi-wavelength aerosol databases and the adaptation of the GRASP algorithm to retrieve aerosol optical and microphysical properties, including PM2.5 PM10, and black carbon. GRASP retrievals were validated using multiple in-situ instruments, ensuring consistency with international observation networks. Work also progressed on cloud-condensation-nuclei parameterizations by combining GRASP outputs with direct measurements, producing initial lookup tables, while some exploratory studies using polar nephelometry and fluorescence were limited by instrumental constraints. Extensive research secondments further strengthened international collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Major advances in GRASP data optimization and processing chains now enable efficient integration of large datasets from multiple satellite platforms, including polar-orbiting, hyperspectral, and geostationary sensors, allowing hourly aerosol monitoring, vertical profiling, and retrieval of trace gases. Synergistic use of satellite observations, ground-based networks, lidar measurements, and shipborne campaigns has improved estimates of aerosol optical and microphysical properties, enhanced PM2.5 monitoring, and refined surface and ocean property retrievals. Overall, these developments establish an operational, multi-platform, globally coordinated framework for integrated retrieval of aerosols, trace gases, and surface properties.

Overall, these developments represent major achievements in operational, integrated, multi-platform, and globally coordinated retrievals of aerosols, trace gases, and surface properties from both ground-based and space-borne instruments, with optimized processing chains and strengthened international collaboration.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

ThThe GRASP algorithm enables comprehensive retrieval of aerosols, surface properties, and trace gases by simultaneously leveraging multi-angular, spectral, and polarization measurements, outperforming traditional single-instrument approaches. Its advanced statistical optimization framework ensures reliable results even under challenging conditions, and recent extensions allow multi-species atmospheric monitoring (O₃, NO2, CH₄, CO2, SO2, H2O), providing capabilities previously unattainable with conventional methods. This makes GRASP a versatile, high-precision tool for integrating observations across satellites, ground-based networks, and laboratory instruments.

The GRASP-SYNERGY approach further advances atmospheric remote sensing by combining polar-orbiting satellites (3MI, TROPOMI, OLCI/Sentinel-3) with geostationary platforms (Sentinel-4), harmonizing diverse datasets to maximize information content and retrieval accuracy. By optimizing data processing, exploiting sensor correlations, and transferring information across platforms, GRASP-SYNERGY enables precise estimates of aerosol optical depth, particle size and absorption, surface properties, and trace-gas concentrations, setting a new benchmark for global, multi-platform monitoring.

Integration with international ground-based networks—including Pandora, AERONET, ACTRIS, and E-Profile—provides high-quality, multi-instrument datasets essential for detailed aerosol and trace-gas retrievals, including vertical profiles. These coordinated, multi-platform observations enhance understanding of radiative forcing, atmospheric chemistry, and air-quality dynamics, support climate modeling and prediction, and provide reliable data for evidence-based environmental policy and climate action worldwide.