scholarly journals The CU 2-D-MAX-DOAS instrument – Part 1: Retrieval of 3-D distributions of NO<sub>2</sub> and azimuth-dependent OVOC ratios

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 2371-2395 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Ortega ◽  
T. Koenig ◽  
R. Sinreich ◽  
D. Thomson ◽  
R. Volkamer
Keyword(s):  
Trace Gases ◽  
Elevation Angle ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Tropospheric Chemistry ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
High Time Resolution ◽  
Vertical Profiles ◽  
Near Surface

Abstract. We present an innovative instrument telescope and describe a retrieval method to probe three-dimensional (3-D) distributions of atmospheric trace gases that are relevant to air pollution and tropospheric chemistry. The University of Colorado (CU) two-dimensional (2-D) multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (CU 2-D-MAX-DOAS) instrument measures nitrogen dioxide (NO2), formaldehyde (HCHO), glyoxal (CHOCHO), oxygen dimer (O2–O2, or O4), and water vapor (H2O); nitrous acid (HONO), bromine monoxide (BrO), and iodine monoxide (IO) are among other gases that can in principle be measured. Information about aerosols is derived through coupling with a radiative transfer model (RTM). The 2-D telescope has three modes of operation: mode 1 measures solar scattered photons from any pair of elevation angle (−20° < EA < +90° or zenith; zero is to the horizon) and azimuth angle (−180° < AA < +180°; zero being north); mode 2 measures any set of azimuth angles (AAs) at constant elevation angle (EA) (almucantar scans); and mode 3 tracks the direct solar beam via a separate view port. Vertical profiles of trace gases are measured and used to estimate mixing layer height (MLH). Horizontal distributions are then derived using MLH and parameterization of RTM (Sinreich et al., 2013). NO2 is evaluated at different wavelengths (350, 450, and 560 nm), exploiting the fact that the effective path length varies systematically with wavelength. The area probed is constrained by O4 observations at nearby wavelengths and has a diurnal mean effective radius of 7.0 to 25 km around the instrument location; i.e., up to 1960 km2 can be sampled with high time resolution. The instrument was deployed as part of the Multi-Axis DOAS Comparison campaign for Aerosols and Trace gases (MAD-CAT) in Mainz, Germany, from 7 June to 6 July 2013. We present first measurements (modes 1 and 2 only) and describe a four-step retrieval to derive (a) boundary layer vertical profiles and MLH of NO2; (b) near-surface horizontal distributions of NO2; (c) range-resolved NO2 horizontal distribution measurements using an "onion-peeling" approach; and (d) the ratios HCHO to NO2 (RFN), CHOCHO to NO2 (RGN), and CHOCHO to HCHO (RGF) at 14 pre-set azimuth angles distributed over a 360° view. Three-dimensional distribution measurements with 2-D-MAX-DOAS provide an innovative, regional perspective of trace gases as well as their spatial and temporal concentration gradients, and they maximize information to compare near-surface observations with atmospheric models and satellites.

scholarly journals The CU 2-dimensional MAX-DOAS instrument – Part 1: Retrieval of NO<sub>2</sub> in 3 dimensions and azimuth dependent OVOC ratios

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 11653-11709 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Ortega ◽  
T. Koenig ◽  
R. Sinreich ◽  
D. Thomson ◽  
R. Volkamer
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Trace Gases ◽  
Elevation Angle ◽  
Tropospheric Chemistry ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
High Time Resolution ◽  
Vertical Profiles ◽  
Near Surface

Abstract. We present an innovative instrument telescope, and describe a retrieval method to probe 3-D distributions of atmospheric trace gases that are relevant to air pollution and tropospheric chemistry. The University of Colorado (CU) two dimensional (2-D) Multi-AXis-Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (CU 2D-MAX-DOAS) instrument measures nitrogen dioxide (NO2), formaldehyde (HCHO), glyoxal (CHOCHO), oxygen dimer (O2-O2, or O4) and water vapor (H2O); also nitrous acid (HONO), bromine monoxide (BrO), iodine monoxide (IO) among other gases can in principle be measured. Information about aerosols is derived through coupling with a radiative transfer model (RTM). The 2-D telescope has 3 modes of operation: (mode 1) measures solar scattered photons from any pair of elevation angle (−20° < EA < +90° or zenith; zero is to the horizon) and azimuth angle (−180° < AA < +180°; zero being North), (mode 2) measures any set of AA at constant EA (almucantar scans); and (mode 3) tracks the direct solar beam via a separate view port. Vertical profiles of trace gases are measured, and used to estimate planetary boundary layer height (PBL). Horizontal distributions are then derived using PBL and parameterization of RTM (Sinreich et al., 2013). NO2 is evaluated at different wavelengths (350, 450, and 560 nm), exploiting the fact that the effective path length varies systematically with wavelength. The area probed is constrained by O4 observations at nearby wavelengths, and has an effective radius of 7.5 to 20 km around the instrument location; i.e., up to 1250 km2 can be sampled near-instantaneously, and with high time resolution. The instrument was deployed as part of the Multi Axis DOAS Comparison campaign for Aerosols and Trace gases (MAD-CAT) in Mainz, Germany from 7 June to 6 July 2013. We present first measurements (modes 1 and 2 only) and describe a four-step retrieval to derive (a) boundary layer vertical profiles of NO2 and PBL; (b) near-surface horizontal distributions of NO2; (c) range resolved NO2 horizontal distribution measurements using an "onion peeling" approach; and (d) the ratios HCHO-to-NO2 (RFN), CHOCHO-to-NO2 (RGN), and CHOCHO-to-HCHO (RGF) at 14 pre-set azimuth angles distributed over a 360° view. 2D-MAX-DOAS provides an innovative, regional perspective about trace gases, their spatial and temporal concentration gradients, and maximizes information to compare near-surface observations with atmospheric models and satellites.

scholarly journals A Proof-of-Concept Algorithm for the Retrieval of Total Column Amount of Trace Gases in a Multi-Dimensional Atmosphere

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 270
Author(s):  
Adrian Doicu ◽  
Dmitry S. Efremenko ◽  
Thomas Trautmann
Keyword(s):  
Trace Gases ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Computational Time ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Discrete Ordinate ◽  
Distribution Method ◽  
Total Column

An algorithm for the retrieval of total column amount of trace gases in a multi-dimensional atmosphere is designed. The algorithm uses (i) certain differential radiance models with internal and external closures as inversion models, (ii) the iteratively regularized Gauss–Newton method as a regularization tool, and (iii) the spherical harmonics discrete ordinate method (SHDOM) as linearized radiative transfer model. For efficiency reasons, SHDOM is equipped with a spectral acceleration approach that combines the correlated k-distribution method with the principal component analysis. The algorithm is used to retrieve the total column amount of nitrogen for two- and three-dimensional cloudy scenes. Although for three-dimensional geometries, the computational time is high, the main concepts of the algorithm are correct and the retrieval results are accurate.

scholarly journals Vertical profiles of NO<sub>2</sub>, SO<sub>2</sub>, HONO, HCHO, CHOCHO, and aerosols derived from MAX-DOAS measurements at a rural site in the central-western North China Plain and their relation to emission sources and effects of regional transport

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Wang ◽  
Steffen Dörner ◽  
Sebastian Donner ◽  
Sebastian Böhnke ◽  
Isabelle De Smedt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trace Gases ◽  
Rural Site ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Vertical Profiles ◽  
Regional Transport ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
North West ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Chemistry Research

Abstract. A Multi Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) instrument was deployed in May and June 2016 at a monitoring station (37.18° N, 114.36° E) in the suburban area of Xingtai (one of the most polluted cities in China) during the Atmosphere-Aerosol-Boundary Layer-Cloud (A2BC) and Air chemistry Research In Asia (ARIAs) joint experiments to derive tropospheric vertical profiles of NO2, SO2, HONO, HCHO, CHOCHO and aerosols. Aerosol optical depths derived from MAX-DOAS were found to be consistent with collocated sun-photometer measurements. Also the derived near-surface aerosol extinction and HCHO mixing ratio agree well with coincident visibility meter and in situ HCHO measurements, with mean HCHO near-surface mixing ratios of ~ 3.5 ppb. Underestimates of MAX-DOAS results compared to in situ measurements of NO2 (~ 60 %), SO2 (~ 20 %) are found expectedly due to vertical and horizontal inhomogeneity of trace gases. Vertical profiles of aerosols and NO2, SO2 are reasonably consistent with those measured by a collocated Raman Lidar and aircraft spirals over the station. The deviations can be attributed to differences in sensitivity as a function of altitude and substantial horizontal gradients of pollutants. Aerosols, HCHO, and CHOCHO profiles typically extended to higher altitudes (with 75 % integrated column located below ~ 1.4 km) than did NO2, SO2, and HONO (with 75 % integrated column below ~ 0.5 km) under polluted condition. Lifted layers were systematically observed for all species, (except HONO), indicating accumulation, secondary formation, or long-range transport of the pollutants at higher altitudes. Maximum values routinely occurred in the morning for NO2, SO2, and HONO, but around noon for aerosols, HCHO, and CHOCHO, mainly dominated by photochemistry, characteristic upslope/downslope circulation and PBL dynamics. Significant day-to-day variations are found for all species due to the effect of regional transport and changes in synoptic pattern analysed with HYSPLIT trajectories. Low pollution was often observed for air masses from the north-west (behind cold fronts), and high pollution from the southern areas such as industrialized Wuan. The contribution of regional transport for the pollutants measured at the site during the observation period was estimated to be about 20 % to 30 % for trace gases, and about 50 % for aerosols. In addition, agricultural burning events impacted the day-to-day variations of HCHO, CHOCHO and aerosols.

scholarly journals MAX-DOAS measurements of NO<sub>2</sub>, SO<sub>2</sub>, HCHO, and BrO at the Mt. Waliguan WMO GAW global baseline station in the Tibetan Plateau

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 6973-6990 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianzhong Ma ◽  
Steffen Dörner ◽  
Sebastian Donner ◽  
Junli Jin ◽  
Siyang Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Trace Gases ◽  
Elevation Angle ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Statistical Error ◽  
Tropospheric Chemistry ◽  
Ozone Production ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Mixing Ratios

Abstract. Mt. Waliguan Observatory (WLG) is a World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) global baseline station in China. WLG is located at the northeastern part of the Tibetan Plateau (36∘17′ N, 100∘54′ E, 3816 m a.s.l.) and is representative of the pristine atmosphere over the Eurasian continent. We made long-term ground-based multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) measurements at WLG during the period 2012–2015. In this study, we retrieve the differential slant column densities (dSCDs) and estimate the tropospheric background mixing ratios of different trace gases, including NO2, SO2, HCHO, and BrO, using the measured spectra at WLG. Averaging of 10 original spectra is found to be an “optimum option” for reducing both the statistical error of the spectral retrieval and systematic errors in the analysis. The dSCDs of NO2, SO2, HCHO, and BrO under clear-sky and low-aerosol-load conditions are extracted from measured spectra at different elevation angles at WLG. By performing radiative transfer simulations with the model TRACY-2, we establish approximate relationships between the trace gas dSCDs at 1∘ elevation angle and the corresponding average tropospheric background volume mixing ratios. Mixing ratios of these trace gases in the lower troposphere over WLG are estimated to be in a range of about 7 ppt (January) to 100 ppt (May) for NO2, below 0.5 ppb for SO2, between 0.4 and 0.9 ppb for HCHO, and lower than 0.3 ppt for BrO. The chemical box model simulations constrained by the NO2 concentration from our MAX-DOAS measurements show that there is a little net ozone loss (−0.8 ppb d−1) for the free-tropospheric conditions and a little net ozone production (0.3 ppb d−1) for the boundary layer conditions over WLG during summertime. Our study provides valuable information and data sets for further investigating tropospheric chemistry in the background atmosphere and its links to anthropogenic activities.

scholarly journals Validating the MYSTIC three-dimensional radiative transfer model with observations from the complex topography of Arizona's Meteor Crater

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 13373-13405 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Mayer ◽  
S. W. Hoch ◽  
C. D. Whiteman
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Horizontal Resolution ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Deep Basin ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Radiation Fields

Abstract. The MYSTIC three-dimensional Monte-Carlo radiative transfer model has been extended to simulate solar and thermal irradiances with a rigorous consideration of topography. Forward as well as backward Monte Carlo simulations are possible for arbitrarily oriented surfaces and we demonstrate that the backward Monte Carlo technique is superior to the forward method for applications involving topography, by greatly reducing the computational demands. MYSTIC is used to simulate the short- and longwave radiation fields during a clear day and night in and around Arizona's Meteor Crater, a bowl-shaped, 165-m-deep basin with a diameter of 1200 m. The simulations are made over a 4 by 4 km domain using a 10-m horizontal resolution digital elevation model and meteorological input data collected during the METCRAX (Meteor Crater Experiment) field experiment in 2006. Irradiance (or radiative flux) measurements at multiple locations inside the crater are then used to evaluate the simulations. MYSTIC is shown to realistically model the complex interactions between topography and the radiative field, resolving the effects of terrain shading, terrain exposure, and longwave surface emissions. The effects of surface temperature variations and of temperature stratification within the crater atmosphere on the near-surface longwave irradiance are then evaluated with additional simulations.

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

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Wang ◽  
Arnoud Apituley ◽  
Alkiviadis Bais ◽  
Steffen Beirle ◽  
Nuria Benavent ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Optimal Estimation ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Measuring Instruments ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Vertical Profiles ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
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 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). Systematic discrepancies of HONO delta SCDs are observed in the range of ±0.3 × 1015 molecules cm−2, which is half of the typical random discrepancy of 0.6 × 1015 molecules cm−2. For a typical high HONO delta SCD of 2 × 1015 molecules 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 × 1015 molecules 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 substantial 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 × 1015 molecules 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 ppb 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 well reproduce the different HONO profile shapes. Therefore we conclude that the feature of HONO accumulated near the surface derived from MAX-DOAS measurements are expected to well represent the ambient HONO profiles.

scholarly journals Parameterizing radiative transfer to convert MAX-DOAS dSCDs into near-surface box-averaged mixing ratios

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 1521-1532 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Sinreich ◽  
A. Merten ◽  
L. Molina ◽  
R. Volkamer
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Mexico City ◽  
Vertical Gradient ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Mixing Ratios

Abstract. We present a novel parameterization method to convert multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) differential slant column densities (dSCDs) into near-surface box-averaged volume mixing ratios. The approach is applicable inside the planetary boundary layer under conditions with significant aerosol load, and builds on the increased sensitivity of MAX-DOAS near the instrument altitude. It parameterizes radiative transfer model calculations and significantly reduces the computational effort, while retrieving ~ 1 degree of freedom. The biggest benefit of this method is that the retrieval of an aerosol profile, which usually is necessary for deriving a trace gas concentration from MAX-DOAS dSCDs, is not needed. The method is applied to NO2 MAX-DOAS dSCDs recorded during the Mexico City Metropolitan Area 2006 (MCMA-2006) measurement campaign. The retrieved volume mixing ratios of two elevation angles (1° and 3°) are compared to volume mixing ratios measured by two long-path (LP)-DOAS instruments located at the same site. Measurements are found to agree well during times when vertical mixing is expected to be strong. However, inhomogeneities in the air mass above Mexico City can be detected by exploiting the different horizontal and vertical dimensions probed by the MAX-DOAS and LP-DOAS instruments. In particular, a vertical gradient in NO2 close to the ground can be observed in the afternoon, and is attributed to reduced mixing coupled with near-surface emission inside street canyons. The existence of a vertical gradient in the lower 250 m during parts of the day shows the general challenge of sampling the boundary layer in a representative way, and emphasizes the need of vertically resolved measurements.

scholarly journals MAX-DOAS measurements of atmospheric trace gases in Ny-Ålesund - Radiative transfer studies and their application

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 955-966 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Wittrock ◽  
H. Oetjen ◽  
A. Richter ◽  
S. Fietkau ◽  
T. Medeke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Trace Gases ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Light Sources ◽  
Atmospheric Trace Gases ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Vertical Location

Abstract. A new approach to derive tropospheric concentrations of some atmospheric trace gases from ground-based UV/vis measurements is described. The instrument, referred to as the MAX-DOAS, is based on the well-known UV/vis instruments, which use the sunlight scattered in the zenith sky as the light source and the method of Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) to derive column amounts of absorbers like ozone and nitrogen dioxide. Substantial enhancements have been applied to this standard setup to use different lines of sight near to the horizon as additional light sources (MAX - multi axis). Results from measurements at Ny-Ålesund (79° N, 12° E) are presented and interpreted with the full-spherical radiative transfer model SCIATRAN. In particular, measurements of the oxygen dimer O4 which has a known column and vertical distribution in the atmosphere are used to evaluate the sensitivity of the retrieval to parameters such as multiple scattering, solar azimuth, surface albedo and refraction in the atmosphere and also to validate the radiative transfer model. As a first application, measurements of NO2 emissions from a ship lying in Ny-Ålesund harbour are presented. The results of this study demonstrate the feasibility of long term UV/vis multi axis measurement that can be used to derive not only column amounts of different trace gases but also some information on the vertical location of these absorbers.

scholarly journals Validating the MYSTIC three-dimensional radiative transfer model with observations from the complex topography of Arizona's Meteor Crater

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (18) ◽  
pp. 8685-8696 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Mayer ◽  
S. W. Hoch ◽  
C. D. Whiteman
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Horizontal Resolution ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Deep Basin ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Radiation Fields

Abstract. The MYSTIC three-dimensional Monte-Carlo radiative transfer model has been extended to simulate solar and thermal irradiances with a rigorous consideration of topography. Forward as well as backward Monte Carlo simulations are possible for arbitrarily oriented surfaces and we demonstrate that the backward Monte Carlo technique is superior to the forward method for applications involving topography, by greatly reducing the computational demands. MYSTIC is used to simulate the short- and longwave radiation fields during a clear day and night in and around Arizona's Meteor Crater, a bowl-shaped, 165-m-deep basin with a diameter of 1200 m. The simulations are made over a 4 by 4 km2 domain using a 10-m horizontal resolution digital elevation model and meteorological input data collected during the METCRAX (Meteor Crater Experiment) field experiment in 2006. Irradiance (or radiative flux) measurements at multiple locations inside the crater are then used to evaluate the simulations. MYSTIC is shown to realistically model the complex interactions between topography and the radiative field, resolving the effects of terrain shading, terrain exposure, and longwave surface emissions. The effects of surface temperature variations and of temperature stratification within the crater atmosphere on the near-surface longwave irradiance are then evaluated with additional simulations.

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.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document