CAL_ODCOD_ext_05km_V4-5_1 provides a global dataset of clear-sky aerosol extinction profiles derived from CALIOP data, offering valuable insights into aerosol behavior over oceanic regions from 2006 to 2023. These retrievals use column aerosol optical depth (AOD) from CALIOP Ocean-Derived Column Optical Depth (ODCOD), based on satellite measurements, to constrain the retrieval of extinction profiles during daytime and nighttime over oceans. 

Traditional CALIOP aerosol extinction retrievals rely on lidar ratios, introducing significant systematic uncertainties (~30–50%) in extinction estimates. To mitigate these uncertainties, this dataset replaces lidar ratios with column-equivalent AOD from ODCOD, enabling improved retrievals of attenuation profiles globally over oceans.   

Validation against more than 150 coincident airborne High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) datasets demonstrates strong agreement, with mean bias differences within 0.01 km⁻¹ (10%). Compared to CALIOP V4.51 operational aerosol extinction retrievals, the ODCOD-based retrievals reduce bias and RMS differences by nearly a factor of two, significantly improving accuracy.   

These ocean-focused CALIOP aerosol extinction profiles are invaluable for studies such as PM2.5 estimation in marine environments and reducing uncertainties in aerosol radiative forcing assessments.