scholarly journals Retrieval and validation of METOP/IASI methane

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn De Wachter ◽  
Nicolas Kumps ◽  
Ann Carine Vandaele ◽  
Bavo Langerock ◽  
Martine De Mazière
Keyword(s):  
Fourier Transform ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
Good Sensitivity ◽  
Upper Troposphere ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
The Vertical Distribution

Abstract. A new global IASI methane product developed at the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB) is presented. The retrievals are performed with the ASIMUT-ALVL software based on the Optimal Estimation Method (OEM). This paper gives an overview of the forward model and retrieval concept. The usefullness of reconstructed Principal Component Compressed (PCC) radiances is highlighted. The retrieval uncertainty of the CH4 profiles is less than 4 % below 100 hPa (~ 16 km). The information content study carried out in this paper shows that most IASI pixels contain between 0.9 and 1.6 independent pieces of information about the vertical distribution of CH4, with a good sensitivity in the mid to upper troposphere. An extended validation with ground-based CH4 observations at 10 locations was carried out. IASI CH4 partial columns are found to correlate well with the ground-based data for 7 out of the 10 Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) stations with correlation coefficients between 0.71 and 0.96. Mean differences between IASI and FTIR CH4 range between −1.93 and 4.40 % and are within the systematic uncertainty. For 7 out of the 10 stations absolute differences are less than 1 %. The standard deviation of the difference lies between 1.40 and 3.99 % for all the stations.

scholarly journals Retrieval and validation of MetOp/IASI methane

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4623-4638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn De Wachter ◽  
Nicolas Kumps ◽  
Ann Carine Vandaele ◽  
Bavo Langerock ◽  
Martine De Mazière
Keyword(s):  
Estimation Method ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
Good Sensitivity ◽  
Total Uncertainty ◽  
Upper Troposphere ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
The Vertical Distribution

Abstract. A new IASI methane product developed at the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB) is presented. The retrievals are performed with the ASIMUT-ALVL software based on the optimal estimation method (OEM). This paper gives an overview of the forward model and retrieval concept. The usefulness of reconstructed principal component compressed (PCC) radiances is highlighted. The information content study carried out in this paper shows that most IASI pixels contain between 0.9 and 1.6 independent pieces of information about the vertical distribution of CH4, with a good sensitivity in the mid- to upper troposphere. A detailed error analysis was performed. The total uncertainty is estimated to be 3.73 % for a CH4 partial column between 4 and 17 km. An extended validation with ground-based CH4 observations at 10 locations was carried out. IASI CH4 partial columns are found to correlate well with the ground-based data for 6 out of the 10 Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) stations with correlation coefficients between 0.60 and 0.84. Relative mean differences between IASI and FTIR CH4 range between −2.31 and 4.04 % and are within the systematic uncertainty. For 6 out of the 10 stations the relative mean differences are smaller than ±1 %. The standard deviation of the difference lies between 1.76 and 2.97 % for all the stations.

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 Simultaneous trace gas measurements using two Fourier transform spectrometers at Eureka, Canada during spring 2006, and comparisons with the ACE-FTS

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 5383-5405 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Fu ◽  
K. A. Walker ◽  
R. L. Mittermeier ◽  
K. Strong ◽  
K. Sung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fourier Transform ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
Solar Absorption ◽  
Atmospheric Research ◽  
Gas Measurements ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Total Column

Abstract. The 2006 Canadian Arctic ACE (Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment) Validation Campaign collected measurements at the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL, 86.42° W, 80.05° N, 610 m a.s.l.) at Eureka, Canada from 17 February to 31 March 2006. Two of the ten instruments involved in the campaign, both Fourier transform spectrometers (FTSs), were operated simultaneously, recording atmospheric solar absorption spectra. The first instrument was an ABB Bomem DA8 high-resolution infrared FTS. The second instrument was the Portable Atmospheric Research Interferometric Spectrometer for the Infrared (PARIS-IR), the ground-based version of the satellite-borne FTS on the ACE satellite (ACE-FTS). From the measurements collected by these two ground-based instruments, total column densities of seven stratospheric trace gases (O3, HCl, ClONO2, HF, HNO3, NO2, and NO) were retrieved using the optimal estimation method and these results were compared. Since the two instruments sampled the same portions of atmosphere by synchronizing observations during the campaign and used consistent retrieval parameters, the biases in retrieved columns from the two spectrometers represent the instrumental differences. Mean differences in total column densities of O3, HCl, ClONO2, HF, HNO3, and NO2 from the observations between PARIS-IR and the DA8 FTS are 2.8 %, −3.2 %, −4.3 %, −1.5 %, −1.9 %, and −0.1 %, respectively. Partial column results from the ground-based spectrometers were also compared with partial columns derived from ACE-FTS version 2.2 (including updates for O3) profiles. Mean differences in partial column densities of O3, HCl, ClONO2, HF, HNO3, NO2, and NO from the measurements between ACE-FTS and the DA8 FTS are −5.9 %, −8.5 %, −11.8 %, −0.9 %, −6.6 %, −21.6 % and −7.6 % respectively. Mean differences in partial column densities of O3, HCl, ClONO2, HF, HNO3, NO2 from the measurements between ACE-FTS and the PARIS-IR are −5.2 %, −4.6 %, −2.3 %, −4.7 %, 5.7 % and −11.9 %, respectively. This work provides further evidence of the reliability of ACE-FTS measurements from the first three years of on-orbit observations. Column densities of O3, HCl, ClONO2, and HNO3 from the three FTSs were normalized with respect to HF and used to compare the time evolution of the chemical constituents in the atmosphere over Eureka during spring 2006.

scholarly journals Solar occultation with SCIAMACHY: algorithm description and first validation

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Meyer ◽  
A. Bracher ◽  
A. Rozanov ◽  
A. C. Schlesier ◽  
H. Bovensmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Profile ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
Trace Gas ◽  
Transmission Spectra ◽  
Atmospheric Transmission ◽  
Gas Concentration ◽  
Solar Occultation ◽  
First Results ◽  
The Vertical Distribution

Abstract. This presentation concentrates on solar occultation measurements with the spaceborne spectrometer SCIAMACHY in the UV-Vis wavelength range. Solar occultation measurements provide unique information about the vertical distribution of atmospheric constituents. For retrieval of vertical trace gas concentration profiles, an algorithm has been developed based on the optimal estimation method. The forward model is capable to simulate the extinction signals of different species as they occur in atmospheric transmission spectra obtained from occultation measurements. Furthermore, correction algorithms have been implemented to address shortcomings of the tangent height pre-processing and inhomogeneities of measured solar spectra. First results of O3 and NO2 vertical profile retrievals have been validated with data from ozone sondes and satellite based occultation instruments. The validation shows very promising results for SCIAMACHY O3 and NO2 values between 15 to 35 km with errors in the order of 10% and 15%, respectively.

scholarly journals Multi-year comparisons of ground-based and space-borne Fourier transform spectrometers in the high Arctic between 2006 and 2013

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 3273-3294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debora Griffin ◽  
Kaley A. Walker ◽  
Stephanie Conway ◽  
Felicia Kolonjari ◽  
Kimberly Strong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fourier Transform ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Trace Gases ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
High Arctic ◽  
Atmospheric Research ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Experiment Validation ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Good Agreement

Abstract. This paper presents 8 years (2006–2013) of measurements obtained from Fourier transform spectrometers (FTSs) in the high Arctic at the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL; 80.05° N, 86.42° W). These measurements were taken as part of the Canadian Arctic ACE (Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment) validation campaigns that have been carried out since 2004 during the polar sunrise period (from mid-February to mid-April). Each spring, two ground-based FTSs were used to measure total and partial columns of HF, O3, and trace gases that impact O3 depletion, namely, HCl and HNO3. Additionally, some tropospheric greenhouse gases and pollutant species were measured, namely CH4, N2O, CO, and C2H6. During the same time period, the satellite-based ACE-FTS made measurements near Eureka and provided profiles of the same trace gases. Comparisons have been carried out between the measurements from the Portable Atmospheric Research Interferometric Spectrometer for the InfraRed (PARIS-IR) and the co-located high-resolution Bruker 125HR FTS, as well as with the latest version of the ACE-FTS retrievals (v3.5). The total column comparison between the two co-located ground-based FTSs, PARIS-IR and Bruker 125HR, found very good agreement for most of these species (except HF), with differences well below the estimated uncertainties ( ≤ 6  %) and with high correlations (R ≥ 0. 8). Partial columns have been used for the ground-based to space-borne comparison, with coincident measurements selected based on time, distance, and scaled potential vorticity (sPV). The comparisons of the ground-based measurements with ACE-FTS show good agreement in the partial columns for most species within 6  % (except for C2H6 and PARIS-IR HF), which is consistent with the total retrieval uncertainty of the ground-based instruments. The correlation coefficients (R) of the partial column comparisons for all eight species range from approximately 0.75 to 0.95. The comparisons show no notable increases of the mean differences over these 8 years, indicating the consistency of these datasets and suggesting that the space-borne ACE-FTS measurements have been stable over this period. In addition, changes in the amounts of these trace gases during springtime between 2006 and 2013 are presented and discussed. Increased O3 (0. 9  %  yr−1), HCl (1. 7  %  yr−1), HF (3. 8  %  yr−1), CH4 (0.5  % yr−1), and C2H6 (2. 3 % yr−1, 2009–2013) have been found with the PARIS-IR dataset, the longer of the two ground-based records.

scholarly journals Optimal Estimation Method Retrievals of Stratospheric Ozone Profiles from a DIAL Lidar

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghazal Farhani ◽  
Robert J. Sica ◽  
Sophie Godin-Beekmann ◽  
Alexander Haefele
Keyword(s):  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
Uncertainty Budget ◽  
Small Contribution ◽  
Vertical Resolution ◽  
Density Profiles ◽  
Complete Uncertainty ◽  
The Difference

Abstract. This paper provides a detailed description of the first principle Optimal Estimation Method (OEM) which is applied to ozone retrieval analysis using Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) measurements. The air density, detector dead times, background coefficients, and lidar constants are simultaneously retrieved along with ozone density profiles. Using an averaging kernel, the OEM provides the vertical resolution of the retrieval as a function of altitude. A maximum acceptable height at which the a priori has a small contribution to the retrieval is calculated for each profile as well. Moreover, a complete uncertainty budget including both systematic and statistical uncertainties is given for each individual retrieved profile. Long term stratospheric DIAL ozone measurements have been carried out at the Observatoire de Haute-Provence (OHP) since 1985. The OEM is applied to 3 nights of measurements at OHP during an intensive ozone campaign in July 2017 where coincident lidar-ozonesonde measurements are available. The retrieved ozone density profiles are in good agreement with both traditional analysis and the ozonesonde measurements. For the three nights of measurements, below 15 km the difference between the OEM and the sonde profiles is less than 25 %, at altitudes between 15 km to 25 km the difference is less than 10 %, and the OEM can successfully catch many variations of ozone which are detected in the sonde profiles due to its ability to adjust its vertical resolution as the signal varies. Above 25 km the difference between the OEM and the sonde profiles does not exceed 20 %.

scholarly journals Multi-year comparisons of ground-based and space-borne Fourier Transform Spectrometers in the high Arctic between 2006 and 2013

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debora Griffin ◽  
Kaley A. Walker ◽  
Stephanie Conway ◽  
Felicia Kolonjari ◽  
Kimberly Strong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fourier Transform ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Trace Gases ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
High Arctic ◽  
Atmospheric Research ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Experiment Validation ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Good Agreement

Abstract. This paper presents eight years (2006–2013) of measurements obtained from Fourier Transform Spectrometers (FTSs) in the high Arctic at the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL, 80.05° N, 86.42° W). These measurements were taken as part of the Canadian Arctic ACE (Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment) Validation Campaigns that have been carried out since 2004 during the polar sunrise period (from mid-February to mid-April). Each spring, two ground-based FTSs were used to measure total and partial columns of HF, O3, and trace gases that impact O3 depletion, namely, HCl, and HNO3. Additionally, some tropospheric greenhouse gases and pollutant species were measured, namely CH4, N2O, CO, and C2H6. During the same time period, the satellite-based ACE-FTS made measurements near Eureka and provided profiles of the same trace gases. Comparisons have been carried out between the measurements from PARIS-IR and the co-located high-resolution Bruker 125HR FTS, as well as with the latest version of the ACE-FTS retrievals (v3.5). The total column comparison between the two co-located ground-based FTSs, PARIS-IR and Bruker 125HR, found very good agreement for most of these species (except HF), with differences well below the estimated uncertainties (~ 6 %) and with high correlations (R ≥ 0.8). Partial columns have been used for the ground-based to space-borne comparison, with coincident measurements selected based on time, distance and scaled potential vorticity (sPV). The comparisons of the ground-based measurements with ACE-FTS show good agreement in the partial columns for most species within 6 % (except for C2H6 and PARIS-IR HF), which are consistent with the total retrieval uncertainty of the ground-based instruments. The correlation coefficients (R) of the partial column comparisons for all eight species range from approximately 0.75 to 0.95. The comparisons show no significant increase in the mean differences over these eight years, indicating the consistency of these datasets and suggesting that the space-borne ACE-FTS measurements have been stable over this period. In addition, changes in the amounts of these trace gases during springtime between 2006 and 2013 are presented and discussed. Increased O3 (0.9 % yr−1), HCl (1.7 % yr−1), HF (3.8 % yr−1), CH4 (0.5 % yr−1) and C2H6 (2.3 % yr−1, 2009–2013) have been found near PEARL from the Portable Atmospheric Research Interferometric Spectrometer for the InfraRed (PARIS-IR) dataset.

scholarly journals Simultaneous atmospheric measurements using two Fourier transform infrared spectrometers at the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory during spring 2006, and comparisons with the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment-Fourier Transform Spectrometer

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 5305-5358 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Fu ◽  
K. A. Walker ◽  
R. L. Mittermeier ◽  
K. Strong ◽  
K. Sung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fourier Transform ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Research Laboratory ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
Atmospheric Measurements ◽  
Atmospheric Research ◽  
Polar Environment ◽  
Chemistry Experiment

Abstract. The 2006 Canadian Arctic ACE (Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment) Validation Campaign collected measurements at the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL, 80.05° N, 86.42° W, 610 m above sea level) at Eureka, Canada from 17 February to 31 March 2006. Two of the ten instruments involved in the campaign, both Fourier transform spectrometers (FTSs), were operated simultaneously, recording atmospheric solar absorption spectra. The first instrument was an ABB Bomem DA8 high-resolution infrared FTS. The second instrument was the Portable Atmospheric Research Interferometric Spectrometer for the Infrared (PARIS-IR), the ground-based version of the satellite-borne FTS on the ACE satellite (ACE-FTS). From the measurements collected by these two ground-based instruments, total column densities of seven stratospheric trace gases (O3, HNO3, NO2, HCl, HF, NO, and ClONO2 were retrieved using the optimal estimation method and these results were compared. Since the two instruments sampled the same portions of atmosphere by synchronizing observations during the campaign, the biases in retrieved columns from the two spectrometers represent the instrumental differences. These differences were consistent with those seen in previous FTS intercomparison studies. Partial column results from the ground-based spectrometers were also compared with partial columns derived from ACE-FTS version 2.2 (including updates for O3, HDO and N2O5 profiles and the differences found were consistent with the other validation comparison studies for the ACE-FTS version 2.2 data products. Column densities of O3, HCl, ClONO2, and HNO3 from the three FTSs were normalized with respect to HF and used to probe the time evolution of the chemical constituents in the atmosphere over Eureka during spring 2006.

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 Global carbon monoxide vertical distributions from spaceborne high-resolution FTIR nadir measurements

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
pp. 2901-2914 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Barret ◽  
S. Turquety ◽  
D. Hurtmans ◽  
C. Clerbaux ◽  
J. Hadji-Lazaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
Vertical Distributions ◽  
Surface Measurements ◽  
The Vertical Distribution ◽  
Global Carbon ◽  
Good Agreement

Abstract. This paper presents the first global distributions of CO vertical profiles retrieved from a thermal infrared FTS working in the nadir geometry. It is based on the exploitation of the high resolution and high quality spectra measured by the Interferometric Monitor of Greenhouse gases (IMG) which flew onboard the Japanese ADEOS platform in 1996-1997. The retrievals are performed with an algorithm based on the Optimal Estimation Method (OEM) and are characterized in terms of vertical sensitivity and error budget. It is found that most of the IMG measurements contain between 1.5 and 2.2 independent pieces of information about the vertical distribution of CO from the lower troposphere to the upper troposphere-lower stratosphere (UTLS). The retrievals are validated against coincident NOAA/CMDL in situ surface measurements and NDSC/FTIR total columns measurements. The retrieved global distributions of CO are also found to be in good agreement with the distributions modeled by the GEOS-CHEM 3D CTM, highlighting the ability of IMG to capture the horizontal as well as the vertical structure of the CO distributions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document