scholarly journals Technical Note: Temporal change in averaging kernels as a source of uncertainty in trend estimates of carbon monoxide retrieved from MOPITT

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 20319-20340
Author(s):  
J. Yoon ◽  
A. Pozzer ◽  
P. Hoor ◽  
D. Y. Chang ◽  
S. Beirle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Temporal Change ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
Technical Note ◽  
Retrieval Algorithm ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Surface Level ◽  
Surface Carbon

Abstract. It is now possible to monitor the global and long-term trends of trace gases that are important to atmospheric chemistry, climate, and air quality with satellite data records that span more than a decade. However, many of the remote sensing techniques used by satellite instruments produce measurements that have variable sensitivity to the vertical profiles of atmospheric gases. In the case of constrained retrievals like optimal estimation, this leads to a varying amount of a priori information in the retrieval and is represented by an averaging kernel. In this study, we investigate to what extent such trends can be biased by temporal changes of averaging kernels used in the retrieval algorithm. In particular, the surface carbon monoxide data retrieved from the Measurements Of Pollution In The Troposphere (MOPITT) instrument from 2001 to 2010 were analysed. As a practical example based on the MOPITT data, we show that if the true atmospheric mixing ratio is continuously 50% higher or lower than the a priori state, the temporal change of the averaging kernel at the surface level gives rise to an artificial trend in retrieved surface carbon monoxide, ranging from −10.71 to +13.21 ppbv yr−1 (−5.68 to +8.84% yr−1) depending on location. Therefore, in the case of surface (or near-surface level) CO derived from MOPITT, the AKs trends multiplied by the difference between true and a priori states must be quantified in order to estimate trend biases.

scholarly journals Technical Note: Temporal change in averaging kernels as a source of uncertainty in trend estimates of carbon monoxide retrieved from MOPITT

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 11307-11316 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Yoon ◽  
A. Pozzer ◽  
P. Hoor ◽  
D. Y. Chang ◽  
S. Beirle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Temporal Change ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
Technical Note ◽  
Retrieval Algorithm ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Surface Level ◽  
Surface Carbon

Abstract. It has become possible to retrieve the global, long-term trends of trace gases that are important to atmospheric chemistry, climate, and air quality from satellite data records that span more than a decade. However, many of the satellite remote sensing techniques produce measurements that have variable sensitivity to the vertical profiles of atmospheric gases. In the case of constrained retrievals like optimal estimation, this leads to a varying amount of a priori information in the retrieval and is represented by an averaging kernel (AK). In this study, we investigate to what extent the estimation of trends from retrieved data can be biased by temporal changes of averaging kernels used in the retrieval algorithm. In particular, the surface carbon monoxide data retrieved from the Measurements Of Pollution In The Troposphere (MOPITT) instrument from 2001 to 2010 were analyzed. As a practical example based on the MOPITT data, we show that if the true atmospheric mixing ratio is continuously 50% higher or lower than the a priori state, the temporal change of the averaging kernel at the surface level gives rise to an artificial trend in retrieved surface carbon monoxide, ranging from −10.71 to +13.21 ppbv yr−1 (−5.68 to +8.84 % yr−1) depending on location. Therefore, in the case of surface (or near-surface level) CO derived from MOPITT, the AKs trends multiplied by the difference between true and a priori states must be quantified in order to estimate trend biases.

scholarly journals Five years of CO, HCN, C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>, C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>2</sub>, CH<sub>3</sub>OH, HCOOH and H<sub>2</sub>CO total columns measured in the Canadian high Arctic

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 1547-1570 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Viatte ◽  
K. Strong ◽  
K. A. Walker ◽  
J. R. Drummond
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Fourier Transform ◽  
Biomass Burning ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
High Arctic ◽  
Retrieval Algorithm ◽  
Data Set

Abstract. We present a five-year time series of seven tropospheric species measured using a ground-based Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer at the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL; Eureka, Nunavut, Canada; 80°05' N, 86°42' W) from 2007 to 2011. Total columns and temporal variabilities of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and ethane (C2H6) as well as the first derived total columns at Eureka of acetylene (C2H2), methanol (CH3OH), formic acid (HCOOH) and formaldehyde (H2CO) are investigated, providing a new data set in the sparsely sampled high latitudes. Total columns are obtained using the SFIT2 retrieval algorithm based on the optimal estimation method. The microwindows as well as the a priori profiles and variabilities are selected to optimize the information content of the retrievals, and error analyses are performed for all seven species. Our retrievals show good sensitivities in the troposphere. The seasonal amplitudes of the time series, ranging from 34 to 104%, are captured while using a single a priori profile for each species. The time series of the CO, C2H6 and C2H2 total columns at PEARL exhibit strong seasonal cycles with maxima in winter and minima in summer, in opposite phase to the HCN, CH3OH, HCOOH and H2CO time series. These cycles result from the relative contributions of the photochemistry, oxidation and transport as well as biogenic and biomass burning emissions. Comparisons of the FTIR partial columns with coincident satellite measurements by the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS) show good agreement. The correlation coefficients and the slopes range from 0.56 to 0.97 and 0.50 to 3.35, respectively, for the seven target species. Our new data set is compared to previous measurements found in the literature to assess atmospheric budgets of these tropospheric species in the high Arctic. The CO and C2H6concentrations are consistent with negative trends observed over the Northern Hemisphere, attributed to fossil fuel emission decrease. The importance of poleward transport for the atmospheric budgets of HCN and C2H2 is highlighted. Columns and variabilities of CH3OH and HCOOH at PEARL are comparable to previous measurements performed at other remote sites. However, the small columns of H2CO in early May might reflect its large atmospheric variability and/or the effect of the updated spectroscopic parameters used in our retrievals. Overall, emissions from biomass burning contribute to the day-to-day variabilities of the seven tropospheric species observed at Eureka.

scholarly journals Five years of CO, HCN, C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>, C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>2</sub>, CH<sub>3</sub>OH, HCOOH, and H<sub>2</sub>CO total columns measured in the Canadian High Arctic

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 11345-11403
Author(s):  
C. Viatte ◽  
K. Strong ◽  
K. A. Walker ◽  
J. R. Drummond
Keyword(s):  
Fourier Transform ◽  
Biomass Burning ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
High Arctic ◽  
Retrieval Algorithm ◽  
Atmospheric Variability

Abstract. We present a five-year timeseries of seven tropospheric species measured using a ground-based Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectrometer at the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL, Eureka, Nunavut, Canada, 80°05' N, 86°42' W) from 2007 to 2011. Total columns and temporal variabilities of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and ethane (C2H6), as well as the first derived total columns at Eureka of acetylene (C2H2), methanol (CH3OH), formic acid (HCOOH), and formaldehyde (H2CO) are investigated, providing a new dataset in the sparsely sampled high latitudes. Total columns are obtained using the SFIT2 retrieval algorithm based on the Optimal Estimation Method. The microwindows, as well as the a priori profiles and variabilities are selected to optimize the information content of the retrievals, and error analyses are performed for all seven species. Our retrievals show good sensitivities in the troposphere. The seasonal amplitudes of the timeseries, ranging from 34 to 104%, are captured while using a single a priori profile for each species. The timeseries of the CO, C2H6 and C2H2 total columns at PEARL exhibit strong seasonal cycles with maxima in winter and minima in summer, in opposite phase to the HCN, CH3OH, HCOOH and H2CO timeseries. These cycles result from the relative contributions of the photochemistry, oxidation, and transport, as well as biogenic and biomass burning emissions. Comparisons of the FTIR partial columns with coincident satellite measurements by the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS) show good agreement. The correlation coefficients and the slopes range from 0.56 to 0.97, and 0.50 to 3.35, respectively, for the seven target species. Our new dataset is compared with previous measurements found in the literature to assess atmospheric budgets of these tropospheric species in the high Arctic. The CO and C2H6 concentrations are consistent with negative trends observed over the Northern Hemisphere, attributed to fossil fuel emission decrease. The importance of poleward transport on the atmospheric budgets of HCN and C2H2 is highlighted. Columns and variabilities of CH3OH, and HCOOH at PEARL are comparable to previous measurements performed at other remote sites. However, the small columns of H2CO in early May might reflect its large atmospheric variability, and/or the effect of the updated spectroscopic parameters used in our retrievals. Overall, emissions from biomass burning contribute to the day-to-day variabilities of the seven tropospheric species observed at Eureka.

scholarly journals BOREAS – a new MAX-DOAS profile retrieval algorithm for aerosols and trace gases

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 6833-6859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Bösch ◽  
Vladimir Rozanov ◽  
Andreas Richter ◽  
Enno Peters ◽  
Alexei Rozanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Trace Gases ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Retrieval Algorithm ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Near Surface

Abstract. We present a new MAX-DOAS profiling algorithm for aerosols and trace gases, BOREAS, which utilizes an iterative solution method including Tikhonov regularization and the optimal estimation technique. The aerosol profile retrieval is based on a novel approach in which the absorption depth of O4 is directly used in order to retrieve extinction coefficient profiles instead of the commonly used perturbation theory method. The retrieval of trace gases is done with the frequently used optimal estimation method but significant improvements are presented on how to deal with wrongly weighted a priori constraints and for scenarios in which the a priori profile is inaccurate. Performance tests are separated into two parts. First, we address the general sensitivity of the retrieval to the example of synthetic data calculated with the radiative transfer model SCIATRAN. In the second part of the study, we demonstrate BOREAS profiling accuracy by validating the results with the help of ancillary measurements carried out during the CINDI-2 campaign in Cabauw, the Netherlands, in 2016. The synthetic sensitivity tests indicate that the regularization between measurement and a priori constraints is insufficient when knowledge of the true state of the atmosphere is poor. We demonstrate a priori pre-scaling and extensive regularization tests as a tool for the optimization of retrieved profiles. The comparison of retrieval results with in situ, ceilometer, NO2 lidar, sonde and long-path DOAS measurements during the CINDI-2 campaign always shows high correlations with coefficients greater than 0.75. The largest differences can be found in the morning hours, when the planetary boundary layer is not yet fully developed and the concentration of trace gases and aerosol, as a result of a low night-time boundary layer having formed, is focused in a shallow, near-surface layer.

scholarly journals Technical Note: Feasibility of CO<sub>2</sub> profile retrieval from limb viewing solar occultation made by the ACE-FTS instrument

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 2873-2890 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Y. Foucher ◽  
A. Chédin ◽  
G. Dufour ◽  
V. Capelle ◽  
C. D. Boone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Atmospheric Transport ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Accurate Determination ◽  
Technical Note ◽  
High Spectral Resolution ◽  
Vertical Profiles ◽  
Vertical Resolution ◽  
Solar Occultation ◽  
Co2 Profile

Abstract. Major limitations of our present knowledge of the global distribution of CO2 in the atmosphere are the uncertainty in atmospheric transport mixing and the sparseness of in situ concentration measurements. Limb viewing space-borne sounders, observing the atmosphere along tangential optical paths, offer a vertical resolution of a few kilometers for profiles, which is much better than currently flying or planned nadir sounding instruments can achieve. In this paper, we analyse the feasibility of obtaining CO2 vertical profiles in the 5–25 km altitude range from the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS, launched in August 2003), high spectral resolution solar occultation measurements. Two main difficulties must be overcome: (i) the accurate determination of the instrument pointing parameters (tangent heights) and pressure/temperature profiles independently from an a priori CO2 profile, and (ii) the potential impact of uncertainties in the temperature knowledge on the retrieved CO2 profile. The first difficulty has been solved using the N2 collision-induced continuum absorption near 4 μm to determine tangent heights, pressure and temperature from the ACE-FTS spectra. The second difficulty has been solved by a careful selection of CO2 spectral micro-windows. Retrievals using synthetic spectra made under realistic simulation conditions show a vertical resolution close to 2.5 km and accuracy of the order of 2 ppm after averaging over 25 profiles. These results open the way to promising studies of transport mechanisms and carbon fluxes from the ACE-FTS measurements. First CO2 vertical profiles retrieved from real ACE-FTS occultations shown in this paper confirm the robustness of the method and applicability to real measurements.

scholarly journals The GRAPE aerosol retrieval algorithm

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 679-701 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. E. Thomas ◽  
C. A. Poulsen ◽  
A. M. Sayer ◽  
S. H. Marsh ◽  
S. M. Dean ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
A Priori ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
Effective Radius ◽  
Retrieval Algorithm ◽  
Surface Reflectance ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Cloud Parameters ◽  
Aerosol Retrieval ◽  
Retrieval Scheme ◽  
Theoretical Performance

Abstract. The aerosol component of the Oxford-Rutherford Aerosol and Cloud (ORAC) combined cloud and aerosol retrieval scheme is described and the theoretical performance of the algorithm is analysed. ORAC is an optimal estimation retrieval scheme for deriving cloud and aerosol properties from measurements made by imaging satellite radiometers and, when applied to cloud free radiances, provides estimates of aerosol optical depth at a wavelength of 550 nm, aerosol effective radius and surface reflectance at 550 nm. The aerosol retrieval component of ORAC has several incarnations – this paper addresses the version which operates in conjunction with the cloud retrieval component of ORAC (described by Watts et al., 1998), as applied in producing the Global Retrieval of ATSR Cloud Parameters and Evaluation (GRAPE) data-set. The algorithm is described in detail and its performance examined. This includes a discussion of errors resulting from the formulation of the forward model, sensitivity of the retrieval to the measurements and a priori constraints, and errors resulting from assumptions made about the atmospheric/surface state.

scholarly journals A Rain-Rate Retrieval Algorithm for Attenuated Radar Measurements

2010 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prabhat K. Koner ◽  
Alessandro Battaglia ◽  
Clemens Simmer
Keyword(s):  
Rain Rate ◽  
Least Squares Method ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
Retrieval Algorithm ◽  
W Band ◽  
Regularization Techniques ◽  
Radar Measurements ◽  
Regularized Total Least Squares

Abstract A dynamic regularization scheme for rain-rate retrievals from attenuated radar measurements is presented. Most regularization techniques, including the optimal estimation method, use the state-space parameters to regularize the problem, which will always lead to a bias in the solution. To avoid this problem the authors introduce an evolutionary regularization technique, which is based on the spatial derivative of the measured reflectivity profile and allows for a bias-free global solution. The regularization strength is determined by the quadratic eigenvalue solution using the regularized total least squares method. With the new method, the authors perform a retrieval of rain-rate profiles from simulated measurements of a nadir-pointing W-band (94 GHz) radar, in a configuration similar to the cloud radar employed on CloudSat. The simulations assume that multiple scattering is negligible and only liquid hydrometeors are taken into account. The authors compare the results of this method with the outcome of an optimal estimation method and demonstrate that their method is superior in terms of reliability, correlation coefficient, and dispersion to the optimal estimation method for layers experiencing high values of attenuation; therefore, the a priori bias typical for optimal estimation solutions is avoided.

scholarly journals Retrieval of macrophysical cloud parameters from MIPAS: algorithm description

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 683-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hurley ◽  
A. Dudhia ◽  
R. G. Grainger
Keyword(s):  
A Priori ◽  
Michelson Interferometer ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
Single Scattering ◽  
Stratospheric Aerosol ◽  
Retrieval Algorithm ◽  
Cloud Detection ◽  
Retrieval Process ◽  
Error Sources ◽  
Cloud Parameters

Abstract. The Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS) onboard ENVISAT has the potential to be particularly useful for studying high, thin clouds, which have been difficult to observe in the past. This paper details the development, implementation and testing of an optimal-estimation-type retrieval for three macrophysical cloud parameters (cloud top height, cloud top temperature and cloud extinction coefficient) from infrared spectra measured by MIPAS. A preliminary estimation of a parameterisation of the optical and geometrical filling of the measurement field-of-view by cloud is employed as the first step of the retrieval process to improve the choice of a priori for the macrophysical parameters themselves. Preliminary application to single-scattering simulations indicates that the retrieval error stemming from uncertainties introduced by noise and by a priori variances in the retrieval process itself is small – although it should be noted that these retrieval errors do not include the significant errors stemming from the assumption of homogeneity and the non-scattering nature of the forward model. Such errors are preliminarily and qualitatively assessed here, and are likely to be the dominant error sources. The retrieval converges for 99% of input cases, although sometimes fails to converge for vetically-thin (<1 km) clouds. The retrieval algorithm is applied to MIPAS data; the results of which are qualitatively compared with CALIPSO cloud top heights and PARASOL cloud opacities. From comparison with CALIPSO cloud products, it must be noted that the cloud detection method used in this algorithm appears to potentially misdetect stratospheric aerosol layers as cloud. This algorithm has been adopted by the European Space Agency's "MIPclouds" project.

scholarly journals Ground-based measurements of middle-atmospheric carbon monoxide above Ny-Ålesund (78.9° N, 11.9° E)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niall J. Ryan ◽  
Mathias Palm ◽  
Christoph G. Hoffmann ◽  
Jens Goliasch ◽  
Justus Notholt
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
Low Noise ◽  
Absolute Difference ◽  
Atmospheric Measurements ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Atmospheric Carbon ◽  
Atmospheric Carbon Monoxide

Abstract. We present a new ground-based system for measurements of middle-atmospheric carbon monoxide (CO) at Ny Ålesund, Svalbard, and the altitude profiles of CO volume mixing ratios (VMR) measured during the 2017/2018 winter. The Carbon Monoxide Radiometer for Atmospheric Measurements (CORAM) records spectra from CO emissions in the middle-atmosphere with the aid of a low-noise amplifier designed for the 230 GHz spectral region. Altitude profiles of CO VMRs are retrieved from the measured spectra using an optimal estimation inversion technique. The profiles in the current dataset have an average altitude range of 47–87 km and an estimated precision peaking at ~ 12 % of the a priori used in the inversion. The CORAM profiles are compared to collocated CO measurements from the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) aboard the Aura satellite and show a difference of 7.4–16.1 %, with a maximum absolute difference of 2.5 ppmv at 86 km altitude. CO profiles are currently available at 1 hr resolution between November 2017 and January 2018.

scholarly journals Technical Note: Feasibility of CO<sub>2</sub> profile retrieval from limb viewing solar occultation made by the ACE-FTS instrument

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 411-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Y. Foucher ◽  
A. Chédin ◽  
G. Dufour ◽  
V. Capelle ◽  
C. D. Boone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Atmospheric Transport ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Accurate Determination ◽  
Technical Note ◽  
High Spectral Resolution ◽  
Vertical Resolution ◽  
Solar Occultation ◽  
Optical Paths ◽  
Co2 Profile

Abstract. Major limitations of our present knowledge of the global distribution of CO2 in the atmosphere are the uncertainty in atmospheric transport mixing and the sparseness of in situ concentration measurements. Limb viewing space-borne sounders, observing the atmosphere along tangential optical paths, offer a vertical resolution of a few kilometres for profiles, which is much better than currently flying or planned nadir sounding instruments can achieve. In this paper, we analyse the feasibility of obtaining CO2 vertical profiles in the 5–25 km altitude range from the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS, launched in August 2003), high spectral resolution solar occultation measurements. Two main difficulties must be overcome: (i) the accurate determination of the instrument pointing parameters (tangent heights) and pressure/temperature profiles independently from an a priori CO2 profile, and (ii) the potential impact of uncertainties in the temperature knowledge on the retrieved CO2 profile. The first difficulty has been solved using the N2 collision-induced continuum absorption near 4 μm to determine tangent heights, pressure and temperature from the ACE-FTS spectra. The second difficulty has been solved by a careful selection of CO2 spectral micro-windows. Retrievals using synthetic spectra made under realistic simulation conditions show a vertical resolution close to 2.5 km and accuracy of the order of 2 ppm after averaging over 25 profiles. These results open the way to promising studies of transport mechanisms and carbon fluxes from the ACE-FTS measurements.

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