scholarly journals Comparison and Validation of TROPOMI and OMI NO2 Observations over China

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 636
Author(s):  
Chunjiao Wang ◽  
Ting Wang ◽  
Pucai Wang ◽  
Vadim Rakitin
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Absolute Difference ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Vertical Column ◽  
Seasonal Behavior ◽  
Monitoring Instrument ◽  
The Absolute

The new-generation sensor TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) onboard the Sentinel 5 precursor (S5P) satellite is promising for monitoring air pollutants with greater spatial resolution, especially for China, which suffers from severe pollution. As tropospheric NO2 vertical column densities (VCDs) from TROPOMI have become available since February 2018, this study presents the comparisons of NO2 data measured by TROPOMI and its predecessor Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) over China, together with validation against ground Multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) measurements. At the nationwide scale, we used two different filters performed for the TROPOMI data (named TROPOMI50 and TROPOMI75), and the TROPOMI50 yielded larger values than TROPOMI75. The TROPOMI NO2 datasets from different filters show consistent spatial patterns with OMI, and the correlation coefficient values were both above 0.93. However, linear regression indicates that NO2 loadings in TROPOMI is about 2/3 to 4/5 of those in OMI, which is presumably due to a different cloud mask and uncertainties of air mass factors. The absolute difference is prominent over the high pollution areas such as Jing-Jin-Ji region and during winter and autumn, exceeding 0.6 × 1016 molecules cm−2 (molec cm−2). However, the NO2 concentrations retrieved from TROPOMI50 in the southern China may be somewhat higher than OMI. When it comes to the local-scale Jing-Jin-Ji hotspot, the analysis focuses on a comparison to TROPOMI75. TROPOMI manifests high quality and exhibits a significantly better performance of representing spatial variability. In contrast, OMI shows fewer effective pixels and does a poor job of capturing local details due to its row anomaly and low resolution. The absolute difference between two datasets shows the same seasonal behavior with NO2 variation, which is most striking in the winter (0.31 × 1016 molec cm−2) and is lowest in the summer (0.05 × 1016 molec cm−2). Furthermore, the ground MAX-DOAS instrument in Xianghe station, the representative site in Jing-Jin-Ji, is used to assess the skill of satellite retrievals. It turns out that both OMI and TROPOMI underestimate the observations, ranging from 30% to 50%, with OMI being less biased. In spite of the negative drift, the temporal structures of changes derived from OMI and TROPOMI closely match the ground-based records, since the correlation coefficients are above 0.8 and 0.95 for daily and monthly scales, respectively. Overall, TROPOMI NO2 retrievals are better suited for applications in China as well as the Jing-Jin-Ji hotspot due to its higher spatial resolution, although some improvements are also needed in the near future.

scholarly journals Evaluating the impact of spatial resolution on tropospheric NO<sub>2</sub> column comparisons within urban areas using high-resolution airborne data

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 6091-6111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura M. Judd ◽  
Jassim A. Al-Saadi ◽  
Scott J. Janz ◽  
Matthew G. Kowalewski ◽  
R. Bradley Pierce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Spatial Heterogeneity ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
High Temporal Resolution ◽  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Vertical Column ◽  
Monitoring Instrument ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. NASA deployed the GeoTASO airborne UV–visible spectrometer in May–June 2017 to produce high-resolution (approximately 250 m×250 m) gapless NO2 datasets over the western shore of Lake Michigan and over the Los Angeles Basin. The results collected show that the airborne tropospheric vertical column retrievals compare well with ground-based Pandora spectrometer column NO2 observations (r2=0.91 and slope of 1.03). Apparent disagreements between the two measurements can be sensitive to the coincidence criteria and are often associated with large local variability, including rapid temporal changes and spatial heterogeneity that may be observed differently by the sunward-viewing Pandora observations. The gapless mapping strategy executed during the 2017 GeoTASO flights provides data suitable for averaging to coarser areal resolutions to simulate satellite retrievals. As simulated satellite pixel area increases to values typical of TEMPO (Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring Pollution), TROPOMI (TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument), and OMI (Ozone Monitoring Instrument), the agreement with Pandora measurements degraded, particularly for the most polluted columns as localized large pollution enhancements observed by Pandora and GeoTASO are spatially averaged with nearby less-polluted locations within the larger area representative of the satellite spatial resolutions (aircraft-to-Pandora slope: TEMPO scale =0.88; TROPOMI scale =0.77; OMI scale =0.57). In these two regions, Pandora and TEMPO or TROPOMI have the potential to compare well at least up to pollution scales of 30×1015 molecules cm−2. Two publicly available OMI tropospheric NO2 retrievals are found to be biased low with respect to these Pandora observations. However, the agreement improves when higher-resolution a priori inputs are used for the tropospheric air mass factor calculation (NASA V3 standard product slope =0.18 and Berkeley High Resolution product slope =0.30). Overall, this work explores best practices for satellite validation strategies with Pandora direct-sun observations by showing the sensitivity to product spatial resolution and demonstrating how the high-spatial-resolution NO2 data retrieved from airborne spectrometers, such as GeoTASO, can be used with high-temporal-resolution ground-based column observations to evaluate the influence of spatial heterogeneity on validation results.

scholarly journals First estimates of global free-tropospheric NO<sub>2</sub> abundances derived using a cloud-slicing technique applied to satellite observations from the Aura Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI)

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (19) ◽  
pp. 10565-10588 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Choi ◽  
J. Joiner ◽  
Y. Choi ◽  
B. N. Duncan ◽  
A. Vasilkov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Middle Latitude ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Vertical Column ◽  
Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Single Orbit ◽  
Tropospheric No2 ◽  
Ozone Monitoring

Abstract. We derive free-tropospheric NO2 volume mixing ratios (VMRs) by applying a cloud-slicing technique to data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on the Aura satellite. In the cloud-slicing approach, the slope of the above-cloud NO2 column versus the cloud scene pressure is proportional to the NO2 VMR. In this work, we use a sample of nearby OMI pixel data from a single orbit for the linear fit. The OMI data include cloud scene pressures from the rotational-Raman algorithm and above-cloud NO2 vertical column density (VCD) (defined as the NO2 column from the cloud scene pressure to the top of the atmosphere) from a differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) algorithm. We compare OMI-derived NO2 VMRs with in situ aircraft profiles measured during the NASA Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment Phase B (INTEX-B) campaign in 2006. The agreement is generally within the estimated uncertainties when appropriate data screening is applied. We then derive a global seasonal climatology of free-tropospheric NO2 VMR in cloudy conditions. Enhanced NO2 in the free troposphere commonly appears near polluted urban locations where NO2 produced in the boundary layer may be transported vertically out of the boundary layer and then horizontally away from the source. Signatures of lightning NO2 are also shown throughout low and middle latitude regions in summer months. A profile analysis of our cloud-slicing data indicates signatures of lightning-generated NO2 in the upper troposphere. Comparison of the climatology with simulations from the global modeling initiative (GMI) for cloudy conditions (cloud optical depth > 10) shows similarities in the spatial patterns of continental pollution outflow. However, there are also some differences in the seasonal variation of free-tropospheric NO2 VMRs near highly populated regions and in areas affected by lightning-generated NOx.

scholarly journals S5P TROPOMI NO<sub>2</sub> slant column retrieval: method, stability, uncertainties and comparisons with OMI

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1315-1335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jos van Geffen ◽  
K. Folkert Boersma ◽  
Henk Eskes ◽  
Maarten Sneep ◽  
Mark ter Linden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Ocean ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Statistical Uncertainty ◽  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Vertical Column ◽  
Retrieval Method ◽  
Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Offset Correction ◽  
The Stability

Abstract. The Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), aboard the Sentinel-5 Precursor (S5P) satellite, launched on 13 October 2017, provides measurements of atmospheric trace gases and of cloud and aerosol properties at an unprecedented spatial resolution of approximately 7×3.5 km2 (approx. 5.5×3.5 km2 as of 6 August 2019), achieving near-global coverage in 1 d. The retrieval of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations is a three-step procedure: slant column density (SCD) retrieval, separation of the SCD in its stratospheric and tropospheric components, and conversion of these into vertical column densities. This study focusses on the TROPOMI NO2 SCD retrieval: the retrieval method used, the stability of the SCDs and the SCD uncertainties, and a comparison with the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) NO2 SCDs. The statistical uncertainty, based on the spatial variability of the SCDs over a remote Pacific Ocean sector, is 8.63 µmol m−2 for all pixels (9.45 µmol m−2 for clear-sky pixels), which is very stable over time and some 30 % less than the long-term average over OMI–QA4ECV data (since the pixel size reduction TROPOMI uncertainties are ∼8 % larger). The SCD uncertainty reported by the differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) fit is about 10 % larger than the statistical uncertainty, while for OMI–QA4ECV the DOAS uncertainty is some 20 % larger than its statistical uncertainty. Comparison of the SCDs themselves over the Pacific Ocean, averaged over 1 month, shows that TROPOMI is about 5 % higher than OMI–QA4ECV, which seems to be due mainly to the use of the so-called intensity offset correction in OMI–QA4ECV but not in TROPOMI: turning that correction off means about 5 % higher SCDs. The row-to-row variation in the SCDs of TROPOMI, the “stripe amplitude”, is 2.15 µmol m−2, while for OMI–QA4ECV it is a factor of ∼2 (∼5) larger in 2005 (2018); still, a so-called stripe correction of this non-physical across-track variation is useful for TROPOMI data. In short, TROPOMI shows a superior performance compared with OMI–QA4ECV and operates as anticipated from instrument specifications. The TROPOMI data used in this study cover 30 April 2018 up to 31 January 2020.

scholarly journals Seasonal variation of tropospheric bromine monoxide over the Rann of Kutch salt marsh seen from space

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (20) ◽  
pp. 13015-13034 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Hörmann ◽  
Holger Sihler ◽  
Steffen Beirle ◽  
Marloes Penning de Vries ◽  
Ulrich Platt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Salt Marsh ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Vertical Column ◽  
Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Ozone Monitoring

Abstract. The Rann of Kutch (India and Pakistan) is one of the largest salt deserts in the world. Being a so-called "seasonal salt marsh", it is regularly flooded during the Indian summer monsoon. We present 10 years of bromine monoxide (BrO) satellite observations by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) over the Great and Little Rann of Kutch. OMI spectra were analysed using Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) and revealed recurring high BrO vertical column densities (VCDs) of up to 1.4  ×  1014 molec cm−2 during April/May, but no significantly enhanced column densities during the monsoon season (June–September). In the following winter months, the BrO VCDs are again slightly enhanced while the salty surface dries up. We investigate a possible correlation of enhanced reactive bromine concentrations with different meteorological parameters and find a strong relationship between incident UV radiation and the total BrO abundance. In contrast, the second Global Ozone Monitoring Instrument (GOME-2) shows about 4 times lower BrO VCDs over the Rann of Kutch than found by OMI and no clear seasonal cycle is observed. One reason for this finding might be the earlier local overpass time of GOME-2 compared to OMI (around 09:30 vs. 13:30 LT), as the ambient conditions significantly differ for both satellite instruments at the time of the measurements. Further possible reasons are discussed and mainly attributed to instrumental issues. OMI additionally confirms the presence of enhanced BrO concentrations over the Dead Sea valley (Israel/Jordan), as suggested by former ground-based observations. The measurements indicate that the Rann of Kutch salt marsh is probably one of the strongest natural point sources of reactive bromine compounds outside the polar regions and is therefore supposed to have a significant impact on local and regional ozone chemistry.

scholarly journals Global free tropospheric NO<sub>2</sub> abundances derived using a cloud slicing technique applied to satellite observations from the Aura Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI)

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 1559-1615 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Choi ◽  
J. Joiner ◽  
Y. Choi ◽  
B. N. Duncan ◽  
E. Bucsela
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Middle Latitude ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Vertical Column ◽  
Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Single Orbit ◽  
Tropospheric No2 ◽  
Ozone Monitoring

Abstract. We derive free-tropospheric NO2 volume mixing ratios (VMRs) and stratospheric column amounts of NO2 by applying a cloud slicing technique to data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on the Aura satellite. In the cloud-slicing approach, the slope of the above-cloud NO2 column vs. the cloud scene pressure is proportional to the NO2 VMR. In this work, we use a sample of nearby OMI pixel data from a single orbit for the linear fit. The OMI data include cloud scene pressures from the rotational-Raman algorithm and above-cloud NO2 vertical column density (VCD) (defined as the NO2 column from the cloud scene pressure to the top-of-the-atmosphere) from a differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) algorithm. Estimates of stratospheric column NO2 are obtained by extrapolating the linear fits to the tropopause. We compare OMI-derived NO2 VMRs with in situ aircraft profiles measured during the NASA Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment Phase B (INTEX-B) campaign in 2006. The agreement is generally within the estimated uncertainties when appropriate data screening is applied. We then derive a global seasonal climatology of free-tropospheric NO2 VMR in cloudy conditions. Enhanced NO2 in the free troposphere commonly appears near polluted urban locations where NO2 produced in the boundary layer may be transported vertically out of the boundary layer and then horizontally away from the source. Signatures of lightning NO2 are also shown throughout low and middle latitude regions in summer months. A profile analysis of our cloud slicing data indicates signatures of uplifted and transported anthropogenic NO2 in the middle troposphere as well as lightning-generated NO2 in the upper troposphere. Comparison of the climatology with simulations from the Global Modeling Initiative (GMI) for cloudy conditions (cloud optical thicknesses > 10) shows similarities in the spatial patterns of continental pollution outflow. However, there are also some differences in the seasonal variation of free-tropospheric NO2 VMRs near highly populated regions and in areas affected by lightning-generated NOx. Stratospheric column NO2 obtained from cloud slicing agrees well with other independently-generated estimates, providing further confidence in the free-tropospheric results.

scholarly journals Description of a formaldehyde retrieval algorithm for the Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS)

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 3551-3571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyeong-Ahn Kwon ◽  
Rokjin J. Park ◽  
Gonzalo González Abad ◽  
Kelly Chance ◽  
Thomas P. Kurosu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Absorption ◽  
Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Retrieval Algorithm ◽  
Environment Monitoring ◽  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Nonlinear Fitting ◽  
Regression Slopes

Abstract. We describe a formaldehyde (HCHO) retrieval algorithm for the Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) that will be launched by the Korean Ministry of Environment in 2019. The algorithm comprises three steps: preprocesses, radiance fitting, and postprocesses. The preprocesses include a wavelength calibration, as well as interpolation and convolution of absorption cross sections; radiance fitting is conducted using a nonlinear fitting method referred to as basic optical absorption spectroscopy (BOAS); and postprocesses include air mass factor calculations and bias corrections. In this study, several sensitivity tests are conducted to examine the retrieval uncertainties using the GEMS HCHO algorithm. We evaluate the algorithm with the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) Level 1B irradiance/radiance data by comparing our retrieved HCHO column densities with OMI HCHO products of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (OMHCHO) and of the Quality Assurance for Essential Climate Variables project (OMI QA4ECV). Results show that OMI HCHO slant columns retrieved using the GEMS algorithm are in good agreement with OMHCHO, with correlation coefficients of 0.77–0.91 and regression slopes of 0.94–1.04 for March, June, September, and December 2005. Spatial distributions of HCHO slant columns from the GEMS algorithm are consistent with the OMI QA4ECV products, but relatively poorer correlation coefficients of 0.52–0.76 are found compared to those against the OMHCHO products. Also, we compare the satellite results with ground-based multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) observations. OMI GEMS HCHO vertical columns are 9 %–25 % lower than those of MAX-DOAS at Haute-Provence Observatory (OHP) in France, Bremen in Germany, and Xianghe in China. We find that the OMI GEMS retrievals have less bias than the OMHCHO and OMI QA4ECV products at OHP and Bremen in comparison with MAX-DOAS.

scholarly journals High-resolution mapping of the NO<sub>2</sub> spatial distribution over Belgian urban areas based on airborne APEX remote sensing

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1665-1688 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederik Tack ◽  
Alexis Merlaud ◽  
Marian-Daniel Iordache ◽  
Thomas Danckaert ◽  
Huan Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
High Spatial Resolution ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Quantitative Information ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Vertical Column

Abstract. We present retrieval results of tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) vertical column densities (VCDs), mapped at high spatial resolution over three Belgian cities, based on the DOAS analysis of Airborne Prism EXperiment (APEX) observations. APEX, developed by a Swiss-Belgian consortium on behalf of ESA (European Space Agency), is a pushbroom hyperspectral imager characterised by a high spatial resolution and high spectral performance. APEX data have been acquired under clear-sky conditions over the two largest and most heavily polluted Belgian cities, i.e. Antwerp and Brussels on 15 April and 30 June 2015. Additionally, a number of background sites have been covered for the reference spectra. The APEX instrument was mounted in a Dornier DO-228 aeroplane, operated by Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR). NO2 VCDs were retrieved from spatially aggregated radiance spectra allowing urban plumes to be resolved at the resolution of 60  ×  80 m2. The main sources in the Antwerp area appear to be related to the (petro)chemical industry while traffic-related emissions dominate in Brussels. The NO2 levels observed in Antwerp range between 3 and 35  ×  1015 molec cm−2, with a mean VCD of 17.4 ± 3.7  ×  1015 molec cm−2. In the Brussels area, smaller levels are found, ranging between 1 and 20  ×  1015 molec cm−2 and a mean VCD of 7.7 ± 2.1  ×  1015 molec cm−2. The overall errors on the retrieved NO2 VCDs are on average 21 and 28 % for the Antwerp and Brussels data sets. Low VCD retrievals are mainly limited by noise (1σ slant error), while high retrievals are mainly limited by systematic errors. Compared to coincident car mobile-DOAS measurements taken in Antwerp and Brussels, both data sets are in good agreement with correlation coefficients around 0.85 and slopes close to unity. APEX retrievals tend to be, on average, 12 and 6 % higher for Antwerp and Brussels, respectively. Results demonstrate that the NO2 distribution in an urban environment, and its fine-scale variability, can be mapped accurately with high spatial resolution and in a relatively short time frame, and the contributing emission sources can be resolved. High-resolution quantitative information about the atmospheric NO2 horizontal variability is currently rare, but can be very valuable for (air quality) studies at the urban scale.

scholarly journals Long-term MAX-DOAS network observations of NO<sub>2</sub> in Russia and Asia (MADRAS) during the period 2007–2012: instrumentation, elucidation of climatology, and comparisons with OMI satellite observations and global model simulations

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (15) ◽  
pp. 7909-7927 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Kanaya ◽  
H. Irie ◽  
H. Takashima ◽  
H. Iwabuchi ◽  
H. Akimoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Satellite Data ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Satellite Observations ◽  
Global Model ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Vertical Column ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Model Simulations

Abstract. We conducted long-term network observations using standardized Multi-Axis Differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) instruments in Russia and ASia (MADRAS) from 2007 onwards and made the first synthetic data analysis. At seven locations (Cape Hedo, Fukue and Yokosuka in Japan, Hefei in China, Gwangju in Korea, and Tomsk and Zvenigorod in Russia) with different levels of pollution, we obtained 80 927 retrievals of tropospheric NO2 vertical column density (TropoNO2VCD) and aerosol optical depth (AOD). In the technique, the optimal estimation of the TropoNO2VCD and its profile was performed using aerosol information derived from O4 absorbances simultaneously observed at 460–490 nm. This large data set was used to analyze NO2 climatology systematically, including temporal variations from the seasonal to the diurnal scale. The results were compared with Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) satellite observations and global model simulations. Two NO2 retrievals of OMI satellite data (NASA ver. 2.1 and Dutch OMI NO2 (DOMINO) ver. 2.0) generally showed close correlations with those derived from MAX-DOAS observations, but had low biases of up to ~50%. The bias was distinct when NO2 was abundantly present near the surface and when the AOD was high, suggesting a possibility of incomplete accounting of NO2 near the surface under relatively high aerosol conditions for the satellite observations. Except for constant biases, the satellite observations showed nearly perfect seasonal agreement with MAX-DOAS observations, suggesting that the analysis of seasonal features of the satellite data were robust. Weekend reduction in the TropoNO2VCD found at Yokosuka and Gwangju was absent at Hefei, implying that the major sources had different weekly variation patterns. While the TropoNO2VCD generally decreased during the midday hours, it increased exceptionally at urban/suburban locations (Yokosuka, Gwangju, and Hefei) during winter. A global chemical transport model, MIROC-ESM-CHEM (Model for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate–Earth System Model–Chemistry), was validated for the first time with respect to background NO2 column densities during summer at Cape Hedo and Fukue in the clean marine atmosphere.

scholarly journals Intercomparison of four airborne imaging DOAS systems for tropospheric NO<sub>2</sub> mapping – the AROMAPEX campaign

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 211-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederik Tack ◽  
Alexis Merlaud ◽  
Andreas C. Meier ◽  
Tim Vlemmix ◽  
Thomas Ruhtz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Wavelength Region ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Horizontal Distribution ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Vertical Column ◽  
Airborne Imaging ◽  
The City

Abstract. We present an intercomparison study of four airborne imaging DOAS instruments, dedicated to the retrieval and high-resolution mapping of tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) vertical column densities (VCDs). The AROMAPEX campaign took place in Berlin, Germany, in April 2016 with the primary objective to test and intercompare the performance of experimental airborne imagers. The imaging DOAS instruments were operated simultaneously from two manned aircraft, performing synchronised flights: APEX (VITO–BIRA-IASB) was operated from DLR's DO-228 D-CFFU aircraft at 6.2 km in altitude, while AirMAP (IUP-Bremen), SWING (BIRA-IASB), and SBI (TNO–TU Delft–KNMI) were operated from the FUB Cessna 207T D-EAFU at 3.1 km. Two synchronised flights took place on 21 April 2016. NO2 slant columns were retrieved by applying differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) in the visible wavelength region and converted to VCDs by the computation of appropriate air mass factors (AMFs). Finally, the NO2 VCDs were georeferenced and mapped at high spatial resolution. For the sake of harmonising the different data sets, efforts were made to agree on a common set of parameter settings, AMF look-up table, and gridding algorithm. The NO2 horizontal distribution, observed by the different DOAS imagers, shows very similar spatial patterns. The NO2 field is dominated by two large plumes related to industrial compounds, crossing the city from west to east. The major highways A100 and A113 are also identified as line sources of NO2. Retrieved NO2 VCDs range between 1×1015 molec cm−2 upwind of the city and 20×1015 molec cm−2 in the dominant plume, with a mean of 7.3±1.8×1015 molec cm−2 for the morning flight and between 1 and 23×1015 molec cm−2 with a mean of 6.0±1.4×1015 molec cm−2 for the afternoon flight. The mean NO2 VCD retrieval errors are in the range of 22 % to 36 % for all sensors. The four data sets are in good agreement with Pearson correlation coefficients better than 0.9, while the linear regression analyses show slopes close to unity and generally small intercepts.

Algorithm for NO/sub 2/ vertical column retrieval from the ozone monitoring instrument

2006 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 1245-1258 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.J. Bucsela ◽  
E.A. Celarier ◽  
M.O. Wenig ◽  
J.F. Gleason ◽  
J.P. Veefkind ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Vertical Column ◽  
Monitoring Instrument ◽  
Ozone Monitoring
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document