There still had some uncertainty when satellite aerosolproducts were applied in northeast China for lack of effective verification method. The sources and seasonal variations of aerosol were analyzed based on the HYSPLIT-4 model using the ground-based observation provided by the Chinese Sun Hazemeter Network（CSHNET） in Shenyang during 2009—2011. The quality of MERSI and MODIS Aerosol Optical Depth（AOD） products

and the source of error at four seasons were also discussed. The results showed distinctive seasonality for AOD and Angstrom exponent in northeast China. The aerosol came from remote transmission and regional emission with abundant anthropogenic and natural components. Aerosol sizes and AODs had large differences in four seasons

which leaded to a large error of aerosol model in the satellite retrieval algorithm. The accuracy of the satellite AOD products decreased due to the improper aerosol model. The comprehensive utilization ratio of MERSI and MODIS AOD products accounted for 68% and 83% of the ground-based AOD during the observing period. When AOD was lower than 0.35

the MODIS products underestimated and FY3-A products overestimated. Meanwhile

the relative error range of MODIS and FY3-A AOD products from the ground-based AOD was –46%—54% and 7%—135%. Both MODIS and FY3-A products underestimated with the relative error–34%—54% and –21%—75% when AOD was in the range from 0.35 to 0.75. A worse underestimation of MODIS and FY3-A products was found when AOD was more than 0.75 with the relative error of –34%—100%and –9%—58%. The utilization ratios of MODIS and MERSI had large differences in four seasons

69% and 80% in spring

73% and 70%in autumn

69% and 73% in summer

only 2% and 49% in winter

respectively. On the whole

MODIS AOD products were more consistent with the ground-based observation than MERSI. There representativeness both of MODIS and MERSI were very poor in winter in northeast China. The percentages of MODIS and MERSI products falling within the expected errors were largest in spring（22%

25%）

moderate in autumn（19%

16%）

least in summer（6%

5%）; MERSI retrieval algorithm has better capability to retrieve coarse mode aerosols（α≤0.5）

while MODIS has more advantage in retrieving mixed mode aerosols（0.5≤α<1.5）. The comparability between MERSI and MODIS was relatively good in spring and autumn

but poor in summer. MERSI products were more severe underestimated than MODIS in spring and autumn. Comparisons of regional distribution between MERSI and MODIS AOD products in Liaoning province showed that MERSI AOD product covered a broader range than MODIS AOD product. Although the general characteristic of AOD distribution was consistent

but there still existed obvious deviation in some areas.