Ellsworth G Dutton

About

Ellsworth G. Dutton is a leading figure in atmospheric radiation research, with a career dedicated to understanding how aerosols influence Earth's energy balance. His work centers on the validation and application of surface-based radiation measurements, particularly through his contributions to NOAA's SURFRAD network and the global AERONET program. Dutton's most impactful contribution is the rigorous validation of AERONET-derived solar fluxes and aerosol radiative forcing using ground-based broadband data from Mauna Loa and BSRN stations—a study that has garnered 152 citations and remains a cornerstone for satellite and model verification. He also developed the foundational algorithms for processing spectral solar measurements into a decadal aerosol optical depth (AOD) climatology for SURFRAD (79 citations), providing a critical long-term record for climate studies. His work on the direct radiative forcing of Asian dust, combining sun/sky radiometer and lidar data at Gosan, Korea (75 citations), advanced our understanding of how mineral aerosols impact regional climate. Through these achievements, Dutton has been instrumental in bridging observational networks and radiative transfer theory, leaving a lasting legacy in the quantification of aerosol-climate interactions.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Validation of AERONET estimates of atmospheric solar fluxes and aerosol radiative forcing by ground‐based broadband measurements

   152 citations · 2008
2. 2
   An aerosol optical depth climatology for NOAA's national surface radiation budget network (SURFRAD)

   79 citations · 2008
3. 3
   Estimation of Direct Radiative Forcing of Asian Dust Aerosols with Sun/Sky Radiometer and Lidar Measurements at Gosan, Korea

   75 citations · 2004

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links