Berlin 2012 – scientific programme

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UP: Fachverband Umweltphysik

UP 14: Atmosphere 2

UP 14.4: Talk

Thursday, March 29, 2012, 14:45–15:00, HFT-FT 131

Retrieval of atmospheric CO2 from satellite near-infrared nadir spectra — •M. Reuter, M. Buchwitz, O. Schneising, J. Heymann, H. Bovensmann, and J.P. Burrows — Institute of Environmental Physics, University of Bremen, Germany

Carbon dioxide is the most important anthropogenic greenhouse gas. Its global increasing concentration in the Earth*s atmosphere is the main driver for global warming. However, in spite of its importance, there are still large uncertainties on its global sources and sinks. Satellite measurements, if accurate and precise enough, have the potential to reduce these surface flux uncertainties. At present, there are only two satellite instruments orbiting the Earth which are able to measure the CO2 mixing ratio (XCO2) with large sensitivity also in the boundary layer. In 2002 SCIAMACHY aboard ENVISAT started the time series of XCO2 observation from space followed by GOSAT which was launched in 2009. Recent XCO2 retrieval results of global SCIAMACHY nadir observations will be the focus of the presentation.