The Vertical Distribution of Ozone with OMI/AIRS and from GEO: Empirical, Iteratively Derived Geophysical Relationships and Tropospheric O3
Abstract
The empirical fact of strong correlations of potential temperature (θ ) and ozone mixing ratio (χ ) in all parts of the stratosphere is the basis of a method for empirical description for the full O3 profile in the atmosphere. Full, empirical, global pictures can be constructed whenever OMI total O3 and AIRS temperatures are available. (AIRS 9.6-μm retrieved O3 can also add information). Li et al. (2001) describe an earlier technique using GOES geostationary thermal structure. We evaluate the utility of our method using periods with many O3 sondes. In accord with theory, the empirical θ -χ relationship varies with altitude and latitude. Furthermore, monthly re-evaluations allow the θ -χ relationship to reflect with chemistry, etc., within the stratosphere. Additive-model theory allowed us to estimate the relationships for August, 2006, and a few other periods. θ -χ relationships continue downwards from the tropopause, and lose predictive power in the lowermost troposphere. Here the conservation-period for both χ and θ shortens. Our estimation shows predictive ability with R varying from 0.86 to 0.91 in estimating OMI total O3 using the AIRS θ information. How well can these geophysical techniques aid in determining lower tropospheric O3 using UV and thermal sounders from geostationary orbit?. We start by presenting full-atmosphere O3 profiles following AIRS θ. We describe methodologies for estimating O3 column above 4 km, above 10 km, … etc. Another geophysical effect must be remembered: strong vertical autocorrelation between O3 in neighboring layers. Hence, OMI seems often to reveal processes at 0-1 km, where sensitivity is only 15% of the sensitivity above 5 km. We present autocorrelation studies with O3 sondes and other data sources over North America suggesting 0.5-2.5 km auto-correlation scales, depending upon location. We must emphasize that it very likely that many methods must contribute if we are to determine 0-1 km O3 from space. Li, J., et al., 2001: Estimation of total O3 from GOES sounder radiances with high temporal resolution. J Atmos Ocean Tech. 157 - 168. Total O3 Column (OMI) and the approximation of that column using AIRS theta only (p < 425 hPa). Tropospheric O3, instrument/retrieval errors, and estimation error account for the spread. Using more tropospheric data increases the R above 0.86.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2009
- Bibcode:
- 2009AGUFM.A53A0252C
- Keywords:
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- 0340 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE / Middle atmosphere: composition and chemistry;
- 0345 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE / Pollution: urban and regional;
- 0365 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE / Troposphere: composition and chemistry;
- 0394 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE / Instruments and techniques