scholarly journals Long-path averaged mixing ratios of O<sub>3</sub> and NO<sub>2</sub> in the free troposphere from mountain MAX-DOAS

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 8235-8267
Author(s):  
L. Gomez ◽  
M. Navarro-Comas ◽  
O. Puentedura ◽  
Y. Gonzalez ◽  
E. Cuevas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Detection Limit ◽  
Optical Absorption ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Free Troposphere ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Mixing Ratios

Abstract. A new approximation is proposed to estimate O3 and NO2 mixing ratios in the Northern Subtropics Free Troposphere (FT). Multi Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) high mountain measurements, recorded at Izaña Observatory (28°18' N, 16°29' W), are used in this work. Proposed method uses horizontal and near-zenith geometries to estimate the station level differential path. Two different methods are described. First one uses retrieved Slant Column Densities (SCD) of O4. On second method, path is estimated from LIBRADTRAN radiative transfer model for the region and season. Results show that under low aerosol loading, O3 and NO2 mixing ratios concentrations can be retrieved with moderately low errors. Obtained concentrations have been compared with in situ instrumentation on the observatory. O3 concentration in FT is found to be in the range of 40–80 ppb, approximately. NO2 is in the range of 20–30 ppt, below the detection limit of in situ instrumentation. The different air masses scanned by each instrument have been identified as a cause of discrepancy between O3 observed by MAX-DOAS and in situ.

scholarly journals Long-path averaged mixing ratios of O<sub>3</sub> and NO<sub>2</sub> in the free troposphere from mountain MAX-DOAS

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 3373-3386 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Gomez ◽  
M. Navarro-Comas ◽  
O. Puentedura ◽  
Y. Gonzalez ◽  
E. Cuevas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Geometrical Approach ◽  
Free Troposphere ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Horizontal Path ◽  
Low Concentrations

Abstract. A new approximation is proposed to estimate O3 and NO2 mixing ratios in the northern subtropical free troposphere (FT). The proposed method uses O4 slant column densities (SCDs) at horizontal and near-zenith geometries to estimate a station-level differential path. The modified geometrical approach (MGA) is a simple method that takes advantage of a very long horizontal path to retrieve mixing ratios in the range of a few pptv. The methodology is presented, and the possible limitations are discussed. Multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) high-mountain measurements recorded at the Izaña observatory (28° 18' N, 16° 29' W) are used in this study. The results show that under low aerosol loading, O3 and NO2 mixing ratios can be retrieved even at very low concentrations. The obtained mixing ratios are compared with those provided by in situ instrumentation at the observatory. The MGA reproduces the O3 mixing ratio measured by the in situ instrumentation with a difference of 28%. The different air masses scanned by each instrument are identified as a cause of the discrepancy between the O3 observed by MAX-DOAS and the in situ measurements. The NO2 is in the range of 20–40 ppt, which is below the detection limit of the in situ instrumentation, but it is in agreement with measurements from previous studies for similar conditions.

scholarly journals Level 2 processing for the imaging Fourier transform spectrometer GLORIA: derivation and validation of temperature and trace gas volume mixing ratios from calibrated dynamics mode spectra

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 2473-2489 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ungermann ◽  
J. Blank ◽  
M. Dick ◽  
A. Ebersoldt ◽  
F. Friedl-Vallon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fourier Transform ◽  
Horizontal Resolution ◽  
Trace Gas ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Ionization Mass ◽  
Fourier Transform Spectrometer ◽  
Upper Troposphere ◽  
Mixing Ratios

Abstract. The Gimballed Limb Observer for Radiance Imaging of the Atmosphere (GLORIA) is an airborne infrared limb imager combining a two-dimensional infrared detector with a Fourier transform spectrometer. It was operated aboard the new German Gulfstream G550 High Altitude LOng Range (HALO) research aircraft during the Transport And Composition in the upper Troposphere/lowermost Stratosphere (TACTS) and Earth System Model Validation (ESMVAL) campaigns in summer 2012. This paper describes the retrieval of temperature and trace gas (H2O, O3, HNO3) volume mixing ratios from GLORIA dynamics mode spectra that are spectrally sampled every 0.625 cm−1. A total of 26 integrated spectral windows are employed in a joint fit to retrieve seven targets using consecutively a fast and an accurate tabulated radiative transfer model. Typical diagnostic quantities are provided including effects of uncertainties in the calibration and horizontal resolution along the line of sight. Simultaneous in situ observations by the Basic Halo Measurement and Sensor System (BAHAMAS), the Fast In-situ Stratospheric Hygrometer (FISH), an ozone detector named Fairo, and the Atmospheric chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometer (AIMS) allow a validation of retrieved values for three flights in the upper troposphere/lowermost stratosphere region spanning polar and sub-tropical latitudes. A high correlation is achieved between the remote sensing and the in situ trace gas data, and discrepancies can to a large extent be attributed to differences in the probed air masses caused by different sampling characteristics of the instruments. This 1-D processing of GLORIA dynamics mode spectra provides the basis for future tomographic inversions from circular and linear flight paths to better understand selected dynamical processes of the upper troposphere and lowermost stratosphere.

scholarly journals NO<sub>2</sub> seasonal evolution in the North Subtropical free troposphere

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 14473-14504
Author(s):  
M. Gil-Ojeda ◽  
M. Navarro-Comas ◽  
L. Gómez-Martín ◽  
J. A. Adame ◽  
A. Saiz-Lopez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Horizontal Line ◽  
Free Troposphere ◽  
Seasonal Evolution ◽  
The North ◽  
Measuring Period ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Pollution Events

Abstract. Three years of Multi-Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAXDOAS) measurements (2011–2013) have been used for estimating the NO2 mixing ratio along a horizontal line of sight from the high mountain Subtropical observatory of Izaña, at 2370 m a.s.l. (NDACC station, 28.3° N, 16.5° W). The method is based on horizontal path calculation from the O2–O2 collisional complex at the 477 nm absorption band which is measured simultaneously to the NO2, and is applicable under low aerosols loading conditions. The MAXDOAS technique, applied in horizontal mode in the free troposphere, minimizes the impact of the NO2 contamination resulting from the arrival of MBL airmasses from thermally forced upwelling breeze during central hours of the day. Comparisons with in-situ observations show that during most of measuring period the MAXDOAS is insensitive or very little sensitive to the upwelling breeze. Exceptions are found during pollution events under southern wind conditions. On these occasions, evidence of fast efficient and irreversible transport from the surface to the free troposphere is found. Background NO2 vmr, representative of the remote free troposphere, are in the range of 20–45 pptv. The observed seasonal evolution shows an annual wave where the peak is in phase with the solar radiation. Model simulations with the chemistry-climate CAM-Chem model are in good agreement with the NO2 measurements, and are used to further investigate the possible drivers of the NO2 seasonality observed at Izaña.

Aircraft measurements of nitrous acid in excess of model predictions in the boundary layer and free troposphere

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Schreiner ◽  
Klaus Pfeilsticker ◽  
Flora Kluge ◽  
Meike Rotermund ◽  
Andreas Zahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Free Troposphere ◽  
Aerosol Composition ◽  
Transport And Transformation ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Airborne Measurements ◽  
Photolysis Frequencies ◽  
Model Predictions

&lt;p&gt;Middle and long-term &amp;#160;photo-chemical effects of local and regional pollution are not well quantified and are an area of active study. NO&lt;sub&gt;x&lt;/sub&gt; (here defined as NO, NO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;, and HONO) is a regional pollutant, which influences atmospheric oxidation capacity and ozone formation. Airborne measurements of atmospheric trace gases from the HALO (High Altitude Long Range) aircraft, particularly of NO, NO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;, and HONO were performed as part of the EMeRGe (Effect of Megacities on the Transport and Transformation of Pollutants on the Regional to Global Scales) campaign over continental Europe and southeast Asia in July 2017 and April 2018, respectively. NO (and NO&lt;sub&gt;Y&lt;/sub&gt;), O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;, and the photolysis frequencies of NO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; and HONO were measured in-situ. NO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; and HONO were inferred from Limb measurements of the mini-DOAS (Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy) instrument, using the novel scaling method (H&amp;#252;neke et al., 2017). These measurements were compared with simulations of the MECO/EMAC models. In relatively polluted air-masses in the boundary layer and free troposphere, HONO measured in excess of model predictions (and previous measurements) suggests an in-situ formation and a significant source of OH as well as a pathway for re-noxification. Aerosol composition simultaneously measured &amp;#160;by the C-Tof-AMS instrument may reveal potential reaction mechanisms to explain the discrepancy.&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;

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 Estimates of free-tropospheric NO<sub>2</sub> and HCHO mixing ratios derived from high-altitude mountain MAX-DOAS observations at midlatitudes and in the tropics

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 2803-2817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan F. Schreier ◽  
Andreas Richter ◽  
Folkard Wittrock ◽  
John P. Burrows
Keyword(s):  
Optical Path Length ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Absolute Difference ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Ultraviolet Region ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Geometrical Approach ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Sky Conditions

Abstract. In this study, mixing ratios of NO2 (XNO2) and HCHO (XHCHO) in the free troposphere are derived from two multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) data sets collected at Zugspitze (2650 m a.s.l., Germany) and Pico Espejo (4765 m a.s.l., Venezuela). The estimation of NO2 and HCHO mixing ratios is based on the modified geometrical approach, which assumes a single-scattering geometry and a scattering point altitude close to the instrument altitude. Firstly, the horizontal optical path length (hOPL) is obtained from O4 differential slant column densities (DSCDs) in the horizontal (0°) and vertical (90°) viewing directions. Secondly, XNO2 and XHCHO are estimated from the NO2 and HCHO DSCDs at the 0° and 90° viewing directions and averaged along the obtained hOPLs. As the MAX-DOAS instrument was performing measurements in the ultraviolet region, wavelength ranges of 346–372 and 338–357 nm are selected for the DOAS analysis to retrieve NO2 and HCHO DSCDs, respectively. In order to compare the measured O4 DSCDs and moreover to perform some sensitivity tests, the radiative transfer model SCIATRAN with adapted altitude settings for mountainous terrain is operated to simulate synthetic spectra, on which the DOAS analysis is also applied. The overall agreement between measured and synthetic O4 DSCDs is better for the higher Pico Espejo station than for Zugspitze. Further sensitivity analysis shows that a change in surface albedo (from 0.05 to 0.7) can influence the O4 DSCDs, with a larger absolute difference observed for the horizontal viewing direction. Consequently, the hOPL can vary by about 5 % throughout the season, for example when winter snow cover fully disappears in summer. Typical values of hOPLs during clear-sky conditions are 19 km (14 km) at Zugspitze and 34 km (26.5 km) at Pico Espejo when using the 346–372 (338–357 nm) fitting window. The estimated monthly values of XNO2 (XHCHO), averaged over these hOPLs during clear-sky conditions, are in the range of 60–100 ppt (500–950 ppt) at Zugspitze and 8.5–15.5 ppt (255–385 ppt) at Pico Espejo. Interestingly, multi-year-averaged monthly means of XNO2 and XHCHO increase towards the end of the dry season at the Pico Espejo site, suggesting that both trace gases are frequently lifted above the boundary layer as a result of South American biomass burning.

scholarly journals Multi axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS)

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 231-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Hönninger ◽  
C. von Friedeburg ◽  
U. Platt
Keyword(s):  
Optical Absorption ◽  
Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Significant Advance ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Trace Species ◽  
Highly Sensitive

Abstract. Multi Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) in the atmosphere is a novel measurement technique that represents a significant advance on the well-established zenith scattered sunlight DOAS instruments which are mainly sensitive to stratospheric absorbers. MAX-DOAS utilizes scattered sunlight received from multiple viewing directions. The spatial distribution of various trace gases close to the instrument can be derived by combining several viewing directions. Ground based MAX-DOAS is highly sensitive to absorbers in the lowest few kilometres of the atmosphere and vertical profile information can be retrieved by combining the measurements with Radiative Transfer Model (RTM) calculations. The potential of the technique for a wide variety of studies of tropospheric trace species and its (few) limitations are discussed. A Monte Carlo RTM is applied to calculate Airmass Factors (AMF) for the various viewing geometries of MAX-DOAS. Airmass Factors can be used to quantify the light path length within the absorber layers. The airmass factor dependencies on the viewing direction and the influence of several parameters (trace gas profile, ground albedo, aerosol profile and type, solar zenith and azimuth angles) are investigated. In addition we give a brief description of the instrumental MAX-DOAS systems realised and deployed so far. The results of the RTM studies are compared to several examples of recent MAX-DOAS field experiments and an outlook for future possible applications is given.

scholarly journals High spatial resolution measurements of NO<sub>2</sub> applying Topographic Target Light scattering-Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (ToTaL-DOAS)

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (24) ◽  
pp. 7595-7601 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Frins ◽  
U. Platt ◽  
T. Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Light Scattering ◽  
Optical Absorption ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
High Spatial Resolution ◽  
Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Target Light ◽  
Mixing Ratios

Abstract. Topographic Target Light scattering – Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (ToTaL-DOAS), also called Target-DOAS, is a novel experimental procedure to retrieve trace gas concentrations present in the low atmosphere. Scattered sunlight (diffuse or specular) reflected from natural or artificial targets located at different distances are analyzed to retrieve the spatial distribution of the concentration of different trace gases like NO2, SO2 and others. We report high spatial resolution measurements of NO2 mixing ratios in the city of Montevideo (Uruguay) observing three buildings as targets with a Mini-DOAS instrument. Our instrument was 146 m, 196 m, and 280 m apart from three different buildings located along a main Avenue. We obtain temporal variation of NO2 mixing ratios between 30 ppb and 65 ppb from measurements of November 2007 and mixing ratios up to 50 ppb from measurements of August and September 2008. Our measurements demonstrate that ToTaL-DOAS observations can be made over relative short distances. In polluted air masses, the retrieved absorption signal was found to be sufficiently strong to allow measurements over distances in the range of several tens of meters.

scholarly journals Multi Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS)

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 5595-5658 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Hönninger ◽  
C. von Friedeburg ◽  
U. Platt
Keyword(s):  
Optical Absorption ◽  
Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Significant Advance ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Trace Species ◽  
Highly Sensitive

Abstract. Multi Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) is a novel measurement technique that represents a significant advance on the well-established zenith scattered sunlight DOAS instruments which are mainly sensitive to stratospheric absorbers. MAX-DOAS utilizes scattered sunlight received from multiple viewing directions. The spatial distribution of various trace gases close to the instrument can be derived by combining several viewing directions. Ground based MAX-DOAS is highly sensitive to absorbers in the lowest few kilometres of the atmosphere and vertical profile information can be retrieved by combining the measurements with Radiative Transfer Model (RTM) calculations. The potential of the technique for a wide variety of studies of tropospheric trace species and its (few) limitations are discussed. A Monte Carlo RTM is applied to calculate Airmass Factors (AMF) for the various viewing geometries of MAX-DOAS. Airmass Factors can be used to quantify the light path length within the absorber layers. The airmass factor dependencies on the viewing direction and the influence of several parameters (trace gas profile, ground albedo, aerosol profile and type, solar zenith and azimuth angles) are investigated. In addition we give a brief description of the instrumental MAX-DOAS systems realised and deployed so far. The results of the RTM studies are compared to several examples of recent MAX-DOAS field experiments and an outlook for future possible applications is given.

scholarly journals Estimates of free-tropospheric NO<sub>2</sub> and HCHO mixing ratios derived from high-altitude mountain MAX-DOAS observations in the mid-latitudes and tropics

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (21) ◽  
pp. 31781-31821
Author(s):  
S. F. Schreier ◽  
A. Richter ◽  
F. Wittrock ◽  
J. P. Burrows
Keyword(s):  
Optical Path Length ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Absolute Difference ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Ultraviolet Region ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Geometrical Approach ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Sky Conditions

Abstract. In this study, mixing ratios of NO2 (XNO2) and HCHO (XHCHO) in the free troposphere are derived from two Multi-AXis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) data sets collected at Zugspitze (2650 m a.s.l., Germany) and Pico Espejo (4765 m a.s.l., Venezuela). The estimation of NO2 and HCHO mixing ratios is based on the modified geometrical approach, which assumes a single-scattering geometry and a scattering point altitude close to the instrument. Firstly, the horizontal optical path length (hOPL) is obtained from O4 differential slant column densities (DSCDs) in the horizontal (0°) and vertical (90°) viewing directions. Secondly, XNO2 and XHCHO are estimated from the NO2 and HCHO DSCDs at the 0 and 90° viewing directions and averaged along the obtained hOPLs. As the MAX-DOAS instrument was performing measurements in the ultraviolet region, wavelength ranges of 346–372 and 338–357 nm are selected for the DOAS analysis to retrieve NO2 and HCHO DSCDs, respectively. In order to compare the measured O4 DSCDs and moreover to perform some sensitivity tests, the radiative transfer model SCIATRAN with adapted altitude settings for mountainous terrain is operated to simulate synthetic spectra, on which the DOAS analysis is also applied. The overall agreement between measured and synthetic O4 DSCDs is better for the higher Pico Espejo station than for Zugspitze. Further sensitivity analysis shows that a change in surface albedo (from 0.05 to 0.7) can influence the O4 DSCDs, with a larger absolute difference observed for the horizontal viewing direction. Consequently, the hOPL can vary by about 5 % throughout the season, for example when winter snow cover fully disappears in summer. Typical values of hOPLs during clear sky conditions are 19 km (14 km) at Zugspitze and 34 km (26.5 km) at Pico Espejo when using the 346–372 nm (338–357 nm) fitting window. The estimated monthly values of XNO2 (XHCHO), averaged over these hOPLs during clear sky conditions, are in the range of 60–100 ppt (500–950 ppt) at Zugspitze and 8.5–15.5 ppt (255–385 ppt) at Pico Espejo. Interestingly, multi-year averaged monthly means of XNO2 and XHCHO increase towards the end of the dry season at the Pico Espejo site, suggesting that both trace gases are frequently lifted above the boundary layer as a result of South American biomass burning.

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