Berlin 2014 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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UP: Fachverband Umweltphysik

UP 11: Postersession

UP 11.3: Poster

Mittwoch, 19. März 2014, 17:00–18:30, MAG Poster

A multi-wavelength retrieval of tropospheric NO₂ from GOME-2 observations — Andreas Richter, •Andreas Hilboll, and John P. Burrows — Institut für Umweltphysik, Universität Bremen, Bremen, Deutschland

Satellite observations of tropospheric NO₂ columns are frequently used when applying satellite measurements in atmospheric pollution research. They have been used for the identification and evaluation of natural and anthropogenic NO_x emissions and their changes over time, for process studies, and for the investigation of atmospheric transport events.

One limitation of the commonly used DOAS retrieval of NO₂ columns from satellite observed radiances is the lack of vertical resolution. Together with the altitude-dependence of retrieval sensitivity, this necessitates the use of a priori information on the NO₂ vertical profile. This is one of the major sources of uncertainties in the retrieval, which could be reduced if information on the vertical location of the NO₂ could be retrieved from the measurements themselves.

In this study, the vertical information content of nadir NO₂ observations in the wavelength range 400–500 nm is investigated using both synthetic spectra and real GOME-2 measurements over polluted regions. We show that at least for cloud free scenes, some information on the vertical location of tropospheric NO₂ plumes can be retrieved. Limitations of the method as well as possible applications for future sensors such as S-5P are discussed.