scholarly journals Technical note: Evaluation of profile retrievals of aerosols and trace gases for MAX-DOAS measurements under different aerosol scenarios based on radiative transfer simulations

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (17) ◽  
pp. 12867-12894
Author(s):  
Xin Tian ◽  
Yang Wang ◽  
Steffen Beirle ◽  
Pinhua Xie ◽  
Thomas Wagner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Trace Gases ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
Estimation Algorithm ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Inversion Algorithm ◽  
Vertical Column ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Aerosol Pollution

Abstract. Ground-based Multi-AXis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) is a state-of-the-art remote sensing technique for deriving vertical profiles of trace gases and aerosols. However, MAX-DOAS profile inversions under aerosol pollution scenarios are challenging because of the complex radiative transfer and limited information content of the measurements. In this study, the performances of two inversion algorithms were evaluated for various aerosol pollution scenarios based on synthetic slant column densities (SCDs) derived from radiative transfer simulations. Compared to previous studies, in our study, much larger ranges of aerosol optical depth (AOD) and NO2 vertical column densities (VCDs) are covered. One inversion algorithm is based on optimal estimation; the other uses a parameterized approach. In this analysis, three types of profile shapes for aerosols and NO2 were considered: exponential, Boltzmann, and Gaussian. First, the systematic deviations of the retrieved aerosol profiles from the input profiles were investigated. For most cases, the AODs of the retrieved profiles were found to be systematically lower than the input values, and the deviations increased with increasing AOD. In particular for the optimal estimation algorithm and for high AOD, these findings are consistent with the results in previous studies. The assumed single scattering albedo (SSA) and asymmetry parameter (AP) have a systematic influence on the aerosol retrieval. However, for most cases the influence of the assumed SSA and AP on the retrieval results are rather small (compared to other uncertainties). For the optimal estimation algorithm, the agreement with the input values can be improved by optimizing the covariance matrix of the a priori uncertainties. Second, the aerosol effects on the NO2 profile retrieval were tested. Here, especially for the optimal estimation algorithm, a systematic dependence on the NO2 VCD was found, with a strong relative overestimation of the retrieved results for low NO2 VCDs and an underestimation for high NO2 VCDs. In contrast, the dependence on the aerosol profiles was found to be rather low. Interestingly, the results for both investigated wavelengths (360 and 477 nm) were found to be rather similar, indicating that the differences in the radiative transfer between both wavelengths have no strong effect. In general, both inversion schemes can retrieve the near-surface values of aerosol extinction and trace gas concentrations well.

scholarly journals Technical note：Evaluation of profile retrievals of aerosols and trace gases for MAX-DOAS measurements under different aerosol scenarios based on radiative transfer simulations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Tian ◽  
Yang Wang ◽  
Steffen Beirle ◽  
Pinhua Xie ◽  
Thomas Wagner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Trace Gases ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
Estimation Algorithm ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Inversion Algorithm ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Aerosol Pollution

Abstract. Ground-based Multi-AXis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) is a state of the art remote sensing technique for deriving vertical profiles of trace gases and aerosols. However, MAX-DOAS profile inversions under aerosol pollution scenarios are challenging because of the complex radiative transfer and limited information content of the measurements. In this study, the performances of two inversion algorithms were evaluated for various aerosol pollution scenarios based on synthetic slant column densities (SCDs) derived from radiative transfer simulations. One inversion algorithm is based on optimal estimation, the other uses a parameterized approach. In this analysis, 3 types of profile shapes for aerosols and NO2 were considered: exponential, Boltzmann, and Gaussian. First, the systematic deviations of the retrieved aerosol profiles from the input profiles were investigated. For most cases, the AODs of the retrieved profiles were found to be systematically lower than the input values, and the deviations increased with increasing AOD. Especially for the optimal estimation algorithm and for high AOD, these findings might explain part of the deviations between the AOD retrieved from MAX-DOAS and sun photometers in previous studies. For the optimal estimation algorithm the agreement with the input values can be improved by optimizing the covariance matrix of the a priori uncertainties. Second, the aerosol effects on the NO2 profile retrieval were tested. Here, especially for the optimal estimation algorithm, a systematic dependence on the NO2 VCD was found with a strong relative overestimation of the retrieved results for low NO2 VCDs and an underestimation for high NO2 VCDs. In contrast, the dependence on the aerosol profiles was found to be rather low. In general, both inversion schemes can well retrieve the near-surface values of aerosol extinction and trace gases concentrations.

scholarly journals Ground-based MAX-DOAS observations of tropospheric aerosols, NO<sub>2</sub>, SO<sub>2</sub> and HCHO in Wuxi, China, from 2011 to 2014

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 2189-2215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Wang ◽  
Johannes Lampel ◽  
Pinhua Xie ◽  
Steffen Beirle ◽  
Ang Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trace Gases ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Control Procedure ◽  
Systematic Bias ◽  
Aerosol Extinction ◽  
Inversion Algorithm ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Vertical Column ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Geometric Approximation

Abstract. We characterize the temporal variation and vertical distribution of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), formaldehyde (HCHO) and aerosol extinction based on long-term multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) observations from May 2011 to November 2014 in Wuxi, China. A new inversion algorithm (PriAM) is implemented to retrieve profiles of the trace gases (TGs) and aerosol extinction (AE) from the UV spectra of scattered sunlight recorded by the MAX-DOAS instrument. We investigated two important aspects of the retrieval process. We found that the systematic seasonal variation of temperature and pressure (which is regularly observed in Wuxi) can lead to a systematic bias of the retrieved aerosol profiles (e.g. up to 20 % for the AOD) if it is not explicitly considered. In this study we take this effect into account for the first time. We also investigated in detail the reason for the differences of tropospheric vertical column densities derived from either the geometric approximation or by the integration of the retrieved profiles, which were reported by earlier studies. We found that these differences are almost entirely caused by the limitations of the geometric approximation (especially for high aerosol loads). The results retrieved from the MAX-DOAS observations are compared with independent techniques not only under cloud-free sky conditions, but also under various cloud scenarios. Under most cloudy conditions (except fog and optically thick clouds), the trace gas results still show good agreements. In contrast, for the aerosol results, only near-surface AE could be still well retrieved under cloudy situations. After applying a quality control procedure, the MAX-DOAS data are used to characterize the seasonal, diurnal and weekly variations of NO2, SO2, HCHO and aerosols. A regular seasonality of the three trace gases is found, but not for aerosols. Similar annual variations of the profiles of the trace gases appear in different years. Only NO2 shows a significant seasonality of the diurnal variations. Considerable amplitudes of weekly cycles occur for NO2 and SO2, but not for HCHO and aerosols. The TGs and aerosols show good correlations, especially for HCHO in winter. More pronounced wind direction dependencies, especially for the near-surface concentrations, are found for the trace gases than for the aerosols, which implies that the local emissions from nearby industrial areas (including traffic emissions) dominate the local pollution, while long-distance transport might also considerably contribute to the local aerosol levels.

Tropospheric NO2 and HCHO derived from dual-scan MAX-DOAS measurements in Uccle (Belgium) and application to S5P/TROPOMI validation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ermioni Dimitropoulou ◽  
Francois Hendrick ◽  
Martine M. Friedrich ◽  
Gaia Pinardi ◽  
Frederik Tack ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Profile ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Elevation Angle ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Azimuthal Direction ◽  
Inversion Algorithm ◽  
Vertical Column ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Horizontal Variation

&lt;p&gt;Ground-based Multi-Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) measurements of aerosols, tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;) and formaldehyde (HCHO) have been carried out in Uccle, Brussels, during two years (March 2018 &amp;#8211; March 2020). The MAX-DOAS instrument has been operating in both UV and visible (Vis) wavelength ranges in a dual-scan configuration consisting of two sub-modes: (1) an elevation scan in a fixed viewing azimuthal direction (the so-called main azimuthal direction) pointing and (2) an azimuthal scan in a fixed low elevation angle (2&lt;sup&gt;o&lt;/sup&gt;). By applying a vertical profile inversion algorithm in the main azimuthal direction and an adapted version of the parameterization technique proposed by Sinreich et al. (2013) in the other azimuthal directions, near-surface &amp;#160;concentrations (VMRs) and vertical column densities (VCDs) are retrieved in ten different azimuthal directions.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The present work focuses on the seasonal horizontal variation of NO&lt;sub&gt;2 &lt;/sub&gt;and HCHO around the measurement site. The observations show a clear seasonal cycle of these trace gases. An important application of the dual-scan MAX-DOAS measurements is the validation of satellite missions with high spatial resolution, such as TROPOMI/S5P. Measuring the tropospheric &amp;#160;VCDs in different azimuthal directions is shown to improve the spatial colocation with satellite measurements leading to a better agreement between both datasets. By using &amp;#160;vertical profile information derived from the MAX-DOAS measurements, we show that a persistent systematic underestimation of the TROPOMI &amp;#160;data can be explained by uncertainties in the a-priori NO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; profile shape in the satellite retrieval. A similar validation study for TROPOMI HCHO is currently under progress and preliminary results will be presented.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;References:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sinreich, R., Merten, A., Molina, L., and Volkamer, R.: Parameterizing radiative transfer to convert MAX-DOAS dSCDs into near-surface box-averaged mixing ratios, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 6, 1521&amp;#8211;1532, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-6-1521-2013, 2013.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Ground-based MAX-DOAS observations of tropospheric aerosols, NO<sub>2</sub>, SO<sub>2</sub> and HCHO in Wuxi, China, from 2011 to 2014

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Wang ◽  
J. Lampel ◽  
P. Xie ◽  
S. Beirle ◽  
A. Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trace Gases ◽  
Industrial Area ◽  
Uv Spectra ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Systematic Bias ◽  
Inversion Algorithm ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Annual Variations ◽  
Geometric Approximation

Abstract. We characterize the temporal variation and spatial distribution of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), formaldehyde (HCHO) and aerosol extinctions using vertical profiles derived from long-term Multi Axis – Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) observations from May 2011 to November 2014 in Wuxi, China. A new inversion algorithm (PriAM) is implemented to retrieve profiles of the trace gases (TGs) and aerosol extinction (AE) from the UV spectra of scattered sunlight recorded by the MAX-DOAS instrument. We investigated two important aspects of the retrieval process. We found that the systematic seasonal variation of temperature and pressure (which is regularly observed in Wuxi) can lead to a systematic bias of the retrieved aerosol profiles (e.g. up 20 % for the AOD) if it is not explicitly considered. In this study we take this effect for the first time into account. We also investigated in detail the reason for the differences of tropospheric VCDs derived from either the geometric approximation or by the integration of the retrieved profiles, which were reported by earlier studies. We found that these differences are almost entirely caused by the limitations of the geometric approximation (especially for high aerosol loads). The results retrieved from the MAX-DOAS observations are compared with independent techniques not only under cloud free sky conditions, but also under various cloud scenarios. Under most cloudy conditions (except fog and optically thick clouds), the trace gas results still show good agreement. In contrast, from the aerosol results only near-surface AEs could be still well retrieved under cloudy situations. After a quality controlling procedure, the MAX-DOAS data are used to characterize the seasonal, diurnal, and weekly variations of NO2, SO2, HCHO and aerosols. A regular seasonality of the three trace gases is found, but not for aerosols. Similar diurnal variations are found for SO2, HCHO and aerosols in different seasons, but not for NO2. Similar annual variations of the profiles are found in different years, especially for the trace gases. Considerable amplitudes of weekly cycles occur for NO2 and SO2, but not for HCHO and aerosols. Good correlations between the TGs and aerosols are found, especially for HCHO in winter. Significant wind direction dependencies of the trace gases, especially for the near-surface concentrations, are found, but only a weak dependence is found for aerosol properties, especially the AOD. Our findings imply that the local emissions from the industrial area (including traffic emissions) dominate the amount of local pollutants while long distance transport might also considerably contribute to the local aerosol levels.

scholarly journals Intercomparison exercise between different radiative transfer models used for the interpretation of ground-based zenith-sky and multi-axis DOAS observations

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 7929-7964
Author(s):  
F. Hendrick ◽  
M. Van Roozendael ◽  
A. Kylling ◽  
A. Petritoli ◽  
A. Rozanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Trace Gases ◽  
Relative Difference ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Vertical Column ◽  
Intercomparison Exercise ◽  
Aerosol Effect ◽  
Aerosol Scattering ◽  
Funded Project ◽  
Good Agreement

Abstract. We present the results of an intercomparison exercise between six different radiative transfer (RT) models carried out in the framework of QUILT, an EU funded project based on the exploitation of the Network for the Detection of Stratospheric Change (NDSC). RT modeling is an important step in the interpretation of Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) observations. It allows the conversion of the slant column densities (SCDs) into vertical column densities (VCDs) using calculated air mass factors (AMFs). The originality of our study resides in comparing SCD simulations in multi-axis (MAX) geometry (trace gases: NO2 and HCHO) and in taking into account the photochemical enhancement for calculating SCDs of rapidly photolysing species (BrO, NO2, and OClO) in zenith-sky geometry. Concerning the MAX simulations, good agreement is observed between the different models with the calculated NO2 and HCHO SCDs differing by no more than 5% in the elevation and solar zenith angles (SZA) ranges investigated (5°–20° and 35°–85°, respectively). The impacts of aerosol scattering, ground albedo, and relative azimuth on MAX simulations have also been tested. Large discrepancies appear for the aerosol effect, suggesting differences between models in the treatment of the aerosol scattering. A better agreement is obtained in the case of the ground albedo and relative azimuth effects. In zenith-sky geometry, the different models agree generally well, especially below 90° SZA. At higher SZA, larger discrepancies are observed with relative difference values between 2% and 14% in some cases. All the initialization data and results have been made publicly available through the QUILT project web site (http://nadir.nilu.no/quilt/), enabling the testing of other RT codes designed for the calculation of SCDs/AMFs.

scholarly journals Horizontal distribution of tropospheric NO<sub>2</sub> and aerosols derived by dual-scan multi-wavelength MAX-DOAS measurements in Uccle, Belgium

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ermioni Dimitropoulou ◽  
Francois Hendrick ◽  
Martina Michaela Friedrich ◽  
Frederik Tack ◽  
Gaia Pinardi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
A Priori ◽  
Elevation Angle ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
Horizontal Distribution ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Azimuthal Direction ◽  
Vertical Column ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Multi Wavelength

Abstract. Dual-scan ground-based Multi-AXis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) measurements of tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and aerosols have been carried out in Uccle (50.8° N, 4.35° E; Brussels region, Belgium) for two years, from March 2018 to February 2020. The MAX-DOAS instrument has been operating in both UV and Visible wavelength ranges in a dual-scan configuration consisting of two sub-modes: (1) an elevation scan in a fixed viewing azimuthal direction and (2) an azimuthal scan in a fixed low elevation angle (2°). By analyzing the O4 and NO2 dSCDs at six different wavelength intervals along every azimuthal direction and by applying a new Optimal-Estimation-based inversion approach, the horizontal distribution of the NO2 near-surface concentrations and vertical column densities (VCDs) and the aerosols near-surface extinction coefficient are retrieved along ten azimuthal directions. The retrieved horizontal NO2 concentration profiles allow the identification of the main NO2 hotspots in the Brussels area. Correlative comparisons of the retrieved horizontal NO2 distribution have been conducted with airborne, mobile, and satellite datasets, and overall a good agreement is found. The comparison with TROPOMI observations reveals that the characterization of the horizontal distribution of tropospheric NO2 VCDs by ground-based measurements, the appropriate sampling of TROPOMI pixels, and an adequate a priori NO2 profile shape in TROPOMI retrievals lead to a better consistency between satellite and ground-based datasets.

scholarly journals Validation of TROPOMI tropospheric NO<sub>2</sub> columns using dual-scan multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) measurements in Uccle, Brussels

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5165-5191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ermioni Dimitropoulou ◽  
François Hendrick ◽  
Gaia Pinardi ◽  
Martina M. Friedrich ◽  
Alexis Merlaud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Absorption ◽  
Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Vertical Profile ◽  
Elevation Angle ◽  
Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Azimuthal Direction ◽  
Inversion Algorithm ◽  
Vertical Column ◽  
Near Surface

Abstract. Ground-based multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) measurements of aerosols and tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were carried out in Uccle (50.8∘ N, 4.35∘ E), Brussels, during 1 year from March 2018 until March 2019. The instrument was operated in both the UV and visible wavelength ranges in a dual-scan configuration consisting of two sub-modes: (1) an elevation scan in a fixed viewing azimuthal direction (the so-called main azimuthal direction) pointing to the northeast and (2) an azimuthal scan in a fixed low elevation angle (2∘). By applying a vertical profile inversion algorithm in the main azimuthal direction and a parameterization technique in the other azimuthal directions, near-surface NO2 volume mixing ratios (VMRs) and vertical column densities (VCDs) were retrieved in 10 different azimuthal directions. The dual-scan MAX-DOAS dataset allows for partly resolving the horizontal distribution of NO2 around the measurement site and studying its seasonal variations. Furthermore, we show that measuring the tropospheric NO2 VCDs in different azimuthal directions improves the spatial colocation with measurements from the Sentinel-5 Precursor (S5P), leading to a reduction of the spread in validation results. By using NO2 vertical profile information derived from the MAX-DOAS measurements, we also resolve a systematic underestimation in S5P NO2 data due to the use of inadequate a priori NO2 profile shape data in the satellite retrieval.

scholarly journals Inter-comparison of MAX-DOAS measurements of tropospheric HONO slant column densities and vertical profiles during the CINDI-2 campaign

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 5087-5116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Wang ◽  
Arnoud Apituley ◽  
Alkiviadis Bais ◽  
Steffen Beirle ◽  
Nuria Benavent ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Vertical Profiles ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Profile Inversion

Abstract. We present the inter-comparison of delta slant column densities (SCDs) and vertical profiles of nitrous acid (HONO) derived from measurements of different multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) instruments and using different inversion algorithms during the Second Cabauw Inter-comparison campaign for Nitrogen Dioxide measuring Instruments (CINDI-2) in September 2016 at Cabauw, the Netherlands (51.97∘ N, 4.93∘ E). The HONO vertical profiles, vertical column densities (VCDs), and near-surface volume mixing ratios are compared between different MAX-DOAS instruments and profile inversion algorithms for the first time. Systematic and random discrepancies of the HONO results are derived from the comparisons of all data sets against their median values. Systematic discrepancies of HONO delta SCDs are observed in the range of ±0.3×1015 molec. cm−2, which is half of the typical random discrepancy of 0.6×1015 molec. cm−2. For a typical high HONO delta SCD of 2×1015 molec. cm−2, the relative systematic and random discrepancies are about 15 % and 30 %, respectively. The inter-comparison of HONO profiles shows that both systematic and random discrepancies of HONO VCDs and near-surface volume mixing ratios (VMRs) are mostly in the range of ∼±0.5×1014 molec. cm−2 and ∼±0.1 ppb (typically ∼20 %). Further we find that the discrepancies of the retrieved HONO profiles are dominated by discrepancies of the HONO delta SCDs. The profile retrievals only contribute to the discrepancies of the HONO profiles by ∼5 %. However, some data sets with substantially larger discrepancies than the typical values indicate that inappropriate implementations of profile inversion algorithms and configurations of radiative transfer models in the profile retrievals can also be an important uncertainty source. In addition, estimations of measurement uncertainties of HONO dSCDs, which can significantly impact profile retrievals using the optimal estimation method, need to consider not only DOAS fit errors, but also atmospheric variability, especially for an instrument with a DOAS fit error lower than ∼3×1014 molec. cm−2. The MAX-DOAS results during the CINDI-2 campaign indicate that the peak HONO levels (e.g. near-surface VMRs of ∼0.4 ppb) often appeared in the early morning and below 0.2 km. The near-surface VMRs retrieved from the MAX-DOAS observations are compared with those measured using a co-located long-path DOAS instrument. The systematic differences are smaller than 0.15 and 0.07 ppb during early morning and around noon, respectively. Since true HONO values at high altitudes are not known in the absence of real measurements, in order to evaluate the abilities of profile inversion algorithms to respond to different HONO profile shapes, we performed sensitivity studies using synthetic HONO delta SCDs simulated by a radiative transfer model with assumed HONO profiles. The tests indicate that the profile inversion algorithms based on the optimal estimation method with proper configurations can reproduce the different HONO profile shapes well. Therefore we conclude that the features of HONO accumulated near the surface derived from MAX-DOAS measurements are expected to represent the ambient HONO profiles well.

scholarly journals Intercomparison of MAX-DOAS Vertical Profile Retrieval Algorithms: Studies using Synthetic Data

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Udo Frieß ◽  
Steffen Beirle ◽  
Leonardo Alvarado Bonilla ◽  
Tim Bösch ◽  
Martina M. Friedrich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Trace Gases ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Synthetic Data ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
Trace Gas ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Vertical Profiles ◽  
Retrieval Algorithms ◽  
Transfer Modelling

Abstract. Multi-Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) is a widely used measurement technique for the detection of a variety of atmospheric trace gases. Using inverse modelling, the observation of trace gas column densities along different lines of sight enables the retrieval of aerosol and trace gas vertical profiles in the atmospheric boundary layer using appropriate retrieval algorithms. In this study, the ability of eight profile retrieval algorithms to reconstruct vertical profiles is assessed on the basis of synthetic measurements. Five of the algorithms are based on the optimal estimation method, two on parametrised approaches, and one using an analytical approach without involving any radiative transfer modelling. The synthetic measurements consist of the median of simulated slant column densities of O4 at 360 nm and 477 nm, as well as of HCHO at 343 nm and NO2 at 477 nm, from seven datasets simulated by five different radiative transfer models. Simulations are performed for a combination of 10 trace gas and 11 aerosol profiles, as well as 11 elevation angles, 3 solar 10 zenith and 3 relative azimuth angles. Overall, the results from the different algorithms show moderate to good performance for the retrieval of vertical profiles, surface concentrations and total columns. Except for some outliers, the root mean squares difference between true and retrieved state ranges between (0:05–0:1) km1 for aerosol extinction, and (2:5–5:0) × 1010 molec/cm3 for HCHO and NO2 concentrations.

scholarly journals Intercomparison of MAX-DOAS vertical profile retrieval algorithms: studies using synthetic data

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 2155-2181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Udo Frieß ◽  
Steffen Beirle ◽  
Leonardo Alvarado Bonilla ◽  
Tim Bösch ◽  
Martina M. Friedrich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Trace Gases ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Synthetic Data ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
Trace Gas ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Vertical Profiles ◽  
Retrieval Algorithms ◽  
Mean Square Difference

Abstract. Multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) is a widely used measurement technique for the detection of a variety of atmospheric trace gases. Using inverse modelling, the observation of trace gas column densities along different lines of sight enables the retrieval of aerosol and trace gas vertical profiles in the atmospheric boundary layer using appropriate retrieval algorithms. In this study, the ability of eight profile retrieval algorithms to reconstruct vertical profiles is assessed on the basis of synthetic measurements. Five of the algorithms are based on the optimal estimation method, two on parametrised approaches, and one using an analytical approach without involving any radiative transfer modelling. The synthetic measurements consist of the median of simulated slant column densities of O4 at 360 and 477 nm, as well as of HCHO at 343 nm and NO2 at 477 nm, from seven datasets simulated by five different radiative transfer models. Simulations are performed for a combination of 10 trace gas and 11 aerosol profiles, as well as 11 elevation angles, three solar zenith, and three relative azimuth angles. Overall, the results from the different algorithms show moderate to good performance for the retrieval of vertical profiles, surface concentrations, and total columns. Except for some outliers, the root-mean-square difference between the true and retrieved state ranges between (0.05–0.1) km−1 for aerosol extinction and (2.5–5.0) ×1010 molec cm−3 for HCHO and NO2 concentrations.

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