The Land Surface Temperature Synergistic Processor in BEAM: A Prototype towards Sentinel-3

TL;DR

This paper presents a prototype land surface temperature processing algorithm in BEAM that leverages Sentinel-3 satellite data, validated against in situ measurements, and demonstrates improved LST retrieval accuracy through a synergistic approach.

Contribution

It introduces a new LST processing prototype in BEAM utilizing Sentinel-3 data and a split-window algorithm with surface emissivity dependence, validated with in situ data.

Findings

The LST algorithm achieves satisfactory validation results.

The synergy approach improves LST retrieval accuracy.

The implementation is compatible with MERIS/AATSR data.

Abstract

Land Surface Temperature (LST) is one of the key parameters in the physics of land-surface processes on regional and global scales, combining the results of all surface-atmosphere interactions and energy fluxes between the surface and the atmosphere. With the advent of the European Space Agency (ESA) Sentinel 3 (S3) satellite, accurate LST retrieval methodologies are being developed by exploiting the synergy between the Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI) and the Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR). In this paper we explain the implementation in the Basic ENVISAT Toolbox for (A)ATSR and MERIS (BEAM) and the use of one LST algorithm developed in the framework of the Synergistic Use of The Sentinel Missions For Estimating And Monitoring Land Surface Temperature (SEN4LST) project. The LST algorithm is based on the split-window technique with an explicit dependence on the surface emissivity. Performance of the methodology is assessed by using MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer/Advanced Along-Track Scanning Radiometer (MERIS/AATSR) pairs, instruments with similar characteristics than OLCI/ SLSTR, respectively. The LST retrievals were properly validated against in situ data measured along one year (2011) in three test sites, and inter-compared to the standard AATSR level-2 product with satisfactory results. The algorithm is implemented in BEAM using as a basis the MERIS/AATSR Synergy Toolbox. Specific details about the processor validation can be found in the validation report of the SEN4LST project.