An operational MODIS aerosol retrieval algorithm at high spatial resolution, and its application over a complex urban region

► An aerosol retrieval algorithm using the MODIS 500 m resolution bands. ► A Minimum Reflectance Technique is used to determine surface reflectances. ► Aerosol types are identified by clustering of AERONET inversion data. ► Applied to the study of daily aerosol distributions and cross-boundary sources.