Measurements of long-term changes in atmospheric OCS (carbonyl sulfide) from infrared solar observations

in Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy & Radiative Transfer (2008), 109(16), 2679-2686

Multi-decade atmospheric OCS (carbonyl sulfide) infrared measurements have been analyzed with the goal of quantifying long-term changes and evaluating the consistency of the infrared atmospheric OCS ... [more ▼]

Multi-decade atmospheric OCS (carbonyl sulfide) infrared measurements have been analyzed with the goal of quantifying long-term changes and evaluating the consistency of the infrared atmospheric OCS remote-sensing measurement record. Solar-viewing grating spectrometer measurements recorded in April 1951 at the Jungfraujoch station (46.5°N latitude, 8.0°E longitude, 3.58 km altitude) show evidence for absorption by lines of the strong ν3 band of OCS at 2062 cm(−1). The observation predates the earliest previously reported OCS atmosphere remote-sensing measurement by two decades. More recent infrared ground-based measurements of OCS have been obtained primarily with high-resolution solar-viewing Fourier transform spectrometers (FTSs). Long-term trends derived from this record span more than two decades and show OCS columns that have remained constant or have decreased slightly with time since the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, though retrievals assuming different versions of public spectroscopic databases have been impacted by OCS ν3 band line intensity differences of 10%. The lower stratospheric OCS trend has been inferred assuming spectroscopic parameters from the high-resolution transmission (HITRAN) 2004 database. Volume mixing ratio (VMR) profiles measured near 30°N latitude with high-resolution solar-viewing FTSs operating in the solar occultation mode over a 22 years time span were combined. Atmospheric Trace MOlecucle Spectroscopy (ATMOS) version 3 FTS measurements in 1985 and 1994 were used with Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) measurements during 2004–2007. Trends were calculated by referencing the measured OCS VMRs to those of the long-lived constituent N2O to account for variations in the dynamic history of the sampled airmasses. Means and 1-sigma standard deviations of VMRs (in ppbv, or 10−9 per unit air volume) averaged over 30–100 hPa from measurements at 25–35°N latitude are 0.334±0.089 ppbv from 1985 (ATMOS Spacelab 3 measurements), 0.297±0.094 ppbv from 1994 ATLAS 3 measurements, 0.326±0.074 ppbv from ACE 2004 measurements, 0.305±0.096 ppbv from ACE 2005 measurements, 0.328±0.074 from ACE 2006 measurements, and 0.305±0.090 ppbv from ACE measurements through August 2007. Assuming these parameters, we conclude that there has been no statistically significant trend in lower stratospheric OCS over the measurement time span. We discuss past measurement sets, quantify the impact of changes in infrared spectroscopic parameters on atmospheric retrievals and trend measurements, and discuss OCS spectroscopic uncertainties of the current ν3 band parameters in public atmospheric databases. [less ▲]

Validation of ACE-FTS N2O measurements

in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (2008), 8(16), 4759-4786

The Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE), also known as SCISAT, was launched on 12 August 2003, carrying two instruments that measure vertical profiles of atmospheric constituents using the solar ... [more ▼]

The Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE), also known as SCISAT, was launched on 12 August 2003, carrying two instruments that measure vertical profiles of atmospheric constituents using the solar occultation technique. One of these instruments, the ACE Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS), is measuring volume mixing ratio (VMR) profiles of nitrous oxide (N2O) from the upper troposphere to the lower mesosphere at a vertical resolution of about 3-4 km. In this study, the quality of the ACE-FTS version 2.2 N2O data is assessed through comparisons with coincident measurements made by other satellite, balloon-borne, aircraft, and ground-based instruments. These consist of vertical profile comparisons with the SMR, MLS, and MIPAS satellite instruments, multiple aircraft flights of ASUR, and single balloon flights of SPIRALE and FIRS-2, and partial column comparisons with a network of ground-based Fourier Transform InfraRed spectrometers (FTIRs). Between 6 and 30 km, the mean absolute differences for the satellite comparisons lie between -42 ppbv and +17 ppbv, with most within +/- 20 ppbv. This corresponds to relative deviations from the mean that are within +/- 15%, except for comparisons with MIPAS near 30 km, for which they are as large as 22.5%. Between 18 and 30 km, the mean absolute differences for the satellite comparisons are generally within +/- 10 ppbv. From 30 to 60 km, the mean absolute differences are within +/- 4 ppbv, and are mostly between -2 and +1 ppbv. Given the small N2O VMR in this region, the relative deviations from the mean are therefore large at these altitudes, with most suggesting a negative bias in the ACE-FTS data between 30 and 50 km. In the comparisons with the FTIRs, the mean relative differences between the ACE-FTS and FTIR partial columns (which cover a mean altitude range of 14 to 27 km) are within +/- 5.6% for eleven of the twelve contributing stations. This mean relative difference is negative at ten stations, suggesting a small negative bias in the ACE-FTS partial columns over the altitude regions compared. Excellent correlation (R=0.964) is observed between the ACE-FTS and FTIR partial columns, with a slope of 1.01 and an intercept of -0.20 on the line fitted to the data. [less ▲]

Technical Note: New ground-based FTIR measurements at Ile de La Réunion: observations, error analysis, and comparisons with independent data

in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (2008), 8(13), 3483-3508

Ground-based high spectral resolution Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) solar absorption spectroscopy is a powerful remote sensing technique to obtain information on the total column abundances and on the ... [more ▼]

Ground-based high spectral resolution Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) solar absorption spectroscopy is a powerful remote sensing technique to obtain information on the total column abundances and on the vertical distribution of various constituents in the atmosphere. This work presents results from two FTIR measurement campaigns in 2002 and 2004, held at Ile de La Réunion (21° S, 55° E). These campaigns represent the first FTIR observations carried out at a southern (sub)tropical site. They serve the initiation of regular, long-term FTIR monitoring at this site in the near future. To demonstrate the capabilities of the FTIR measurements at this location for tropospheric and stratospheric monitoring, a detailed report is given on the retrieval strategy, information content and corresponding full error budget evaluation for ozone (O3), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon monoxide (CO), ethane (C2H6), hydrogen chloride (HCl), hydrogen fluoride (HF) and nitric acid (HNO3) total and partial column retrievals. Moreover, we have made a thorough comparison of the capabilities at sea level altitude (St.-Denis) and at 2200 m a.s.l. (Maïdo). It is proved that the performances of the technique are such that the atmospheric variability can be observed, at both locations and in distinct altitude layers. Comparisons with literature and with correlative data from ozone sonde and satellite (i.e., ACE-FTS, HALOE and MOPITT) measurements are given to confirm the results. Despite the short time series available at present, we have been able to detect the seasonal variation of CO in the biomass burning season, as well as the impact of particular biomass burning events in Africa and Madagascar on the atmospheric composition above Ile de La Réunion. We also show that differential measurements between St.-Denis and Maïdo provide useful information about the concentrations in the boundary layer. [less ▲]

Validation of ACE-FTS v2.2 methane profiles from the upper troposphere to the lower mesosphere

in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (2008), 9(9), 2421-2435

The ACE-FTS (Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment – Fourier Transform Spectrometer) solar occultation instrument that was launched onboard the Canadian SCISAT-1 satellite in August 2003 is measuring vertical ... [more ▼]

The ACE-FTS (Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment – Fourier Transform Spectrometer) solar occultation instrument that was launched onboard the Canadian SCISAT-1 satellite in August 2003 is measuring vertical profiles from the upper troposphere to the lower mesosphere for a large number of atmospheric constituents. Methane is one of the key species. The version v2.2 data of the ACE-FTS CH4 data have been compared to correlative satellite, balloon-borne and ground-based Fourier transform infrared remote sensing data to assess their quality. The comparison results indicate that the accuracy of the data is within 10% in the upper troposphere – lower stratosphere, and within 25% in the middle and higher stratosphere up to the lower mesosphere (<60 km). The observed differences are generally consistent with reported systematic uncertainties. ACE-FTS is also shown to reproduce the variability of methane in the stratosphere and lower mesosphere. [less ▲]

Validation of MIPAS ClONO2 measurements

in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (2007), 7

Altitude profiles of ClONO2 retrieved with the IMK (Institut fur Meteorologie und Klimaforschung) science-oriented data processor from MIPAS/Envisat (Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric ... [more ▼]

Altitude profiles of ClONO2 retrieved with the IMK (Institut fur Meteorologie und Klimaforschung) science-oriented data processor from MIPAS/Envisat (Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding on Envisat) mid-infrared limb emission measurements between July 2002 and March 2004 have been validated by comparison with balloon-borne (Mark IV, FIRS2, MIPAS-B), airborne (MIPAS-STR), ground-based (Spitsbergen, Thule, Kiruna, Harestua, Jungfraujoch, Izana, Wollongong, Lauder), and spaceborne (ACE-FTS) observations. With few exceptions we found very good agreement between these instruments and MIPAS with no evidence for any bias in most cases and altitude regions. For balloon-borne measurements typical absolute mean differences are below 0.05 ppbv over the whole altitude range from 10 to 39 km. In case of ACE-FTS observations mean differences are below 0.03 ppbv for observations below 26 km. Above this altitude the comparison with ACE-FTS is affected by the photochemically induced diurnal variation of ClONO2. Correction for this by use of a chemical transport model led to an overcompensation of the photochemical effect by up to 0.1 ppbv at altitudes of 30-35 km in case of MIPAS-ACE-FTS comparisons while for the balloon-borne observations no such inconsistency has been detected. The comparison of MIPAS derived total column amounts with ground-based observations revealed no significant bias in the MIPAS data. Mean differences between MIPAS and FTIR column abundances are 0.11 +/- 0.12 x 10(14) cm(-2) (1.0 +/- 1.1%) and -0.09 +/- 0.19 x 10(14) cm(-2) (-0.8 +/- 1.7%), depending on the coincidence criterion applied. chi(2) tests have been performed to assess the combined precision estimates of MIPAS and the related instruments. When no exact coincidences were available as in case of MIPAS-FTIR or MIPAS-ACE-FTS comparisons it has been necessary to take into consideration a coincidence error term to account for chi(2) deviations. From the resulting chi(2) profiles there is no evidence for a systematic over/underestimation of the MIPAS random error analysis. [less ▲]

First space-based observations of formic acid (HCOOH): Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment austral spring 2004 and 2005 Southern Hemisphere tropical-mid-latitude upper tropospheric measurements

in Geophysical Research Letters (2006), 33(23),

The first space-based measurements of upper tropospheric ( 110 - 300 hPa) formic acid (HCOOH) are reported from 0.02 cm(-1) resolution Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) Fourier transform spectrometer ... [more ▼]

The first space-based measurements of upper tropospheric ( 110 - 300 hPa) formic acid (HCOOH) are reported from 0.02 cm(-1) resolution Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) Fourier transform spectrometer solar occultation measurements at 16 degrees S - 43 degrees S latitude during late September to early October in 2004 and 2005. A maximum upper tropospheric HCOOH mixing ratio of 3.13 +/- 0.02 ppbv ( 1 ppbv = 10(-9) per unit volume), 1 sigma, at 10.5 km altitude was measured during 2004 at 29.97 degrees S latitude and a lower maximum HCOOH mixing ratio of 2.03 +/- 0.28 ppbv, at 9.5 km altitude was measured during 2005. Fire counts, back trajectories, and correlations of HCOOH mixing ratios with ACE simultaneous measurements of other fire products confirm the elevated HCOOH mixing ratios originated primarily from tropical fire emissions. A HCOOH emission factor relative to CO of 1.99 +/- 1.34 g kg(-1) during 2004 in upper tropospheric plumes is inferred from a comparison with lower mixing ratios measured during the same time period assuming HITRAN 2004 spectroscopic parameters. [less ▲]

A global inventory of stratospheric chlorine in 2004

in Journal of Geophysical Research. Atmospheres (2006), 111(D22), 22312

[1] Total chlorine (Cl-TOT) in the stratosphere has been determined using the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS) measurements of HCl, ClONO2, CH3Cl, CCl4, CCl3F (CFC ... [more ▼]

[1] Total chlorine (Cl-TOT) in the stratosphere has been determined using the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS) measurements of HCl, ClONO2, CH3Cl, CCl4, CCl3F (CFC-11), CCl2F2 (CFC-12), CHClF2 (HCFC-22), CCl2FCClF2 (CFC-113), CH3CClF2 (HCFC-142b), COClF, and ClO supplemented by data from several other sources, including both measurements and models. Separate chlorine inventories were carried out in five latitude zones (60 degrees - 82 degrees N, 30 degrees - 60 degrees N, 30 degrees S - 30 degrees N, 30 degrees - 60 degrees S, and 60 degrees - 82 degrees S), averaging the period of February 2004 to January 2005 inclusive, when possible, to deal with seasonal variations. The effect of diurnal variation was avoided by only using measurements taken at local sunset. Mean stratospheric Cl-TOT values of 3.65 ppbv were determined for both the northern and southern midlatitudes (with an estimated 1 sigma accuracy of +/- 0.13 ppbv and a precision of +/- 0.09 ppbv), accompanied by a slightly lower value in the tropics and slightly higher values at high latitudes. Stratospheric Cl-TOT profiles in all five latitude zones are nearly linear with a slight positive slope in ppbv/km. Both the observed slopes and pattern of latitudinal variation can be interpreted as evidence of the beginning of a decline in global stratospheric chlorine, which is qualitatively consistent with the mean stratospheric circulation pattern and time lag necessary for transport. [less ▲]

Trends of HF, HCl, CCl2F2, CCl3F, CHClF2 (HCFC-22), and SF6 in the lower stratosphere from Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) and Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy (ATMOS) measurements near 30 degrees N latitude

in Geophysical Research Letters (2005), 32(16),

[ 1] Volume mixing ratios ( VMRs) of HF, HCl, CCl2F2, CHClF2 ( HCFC-22), and SF6 in the lower stratosphere have been derived from solar occultation measurements recorded with spaceborne high resolution ... [more ▼]

[ 1] Volume mixing ratios ( VMRs) of HF, HCl, CCl2F2, CHClF2 ( HCFC-22), and SF6 in the lower stratosphere have been derived from solar occultation measurements recorded with spaceborne high resolution Fourier transform spectrometers. Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment ( ACE) VMRs measured during 2004 have been compared with those obtained in 1985 and 1994 by the Atmospheric Trace MOlecule Spectroscopy ( ATMOS) instrument. Trends are estimated by referencing the measured VMRs to those of the long-lived constituent N2O to account for variations in the dynamic history of the sampled air masses. Pressure-gridded measurements covering 10-100 hPa ( similar to 16 to 30 km altitude) were used in the analysis that includes typically 25 degrees N-35 degrees N latitude. The VMR changes provide further evidence of the impact of the emission restrictions imposed by the Montreal Protocol and its strengthening amendments and adjustments and are consistent with model predictions and known sources and sinks of halocarbons. Decreases in the lower stratospheric mixing ratios of CCl3F and HCl are measured in 2004 with respect to 1994, providing important confirmation of recent ground-based solar absorption measurements of a decline in inorganic chlorine. Trends estimates are compared with other reported measurements and model predictions. [less ▲]

Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE): Mission overview

in Geophysical Research Letters (2005), 32(15),

SCISAT-1, also known as the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment ( ACE), is a Canadian satellite mission for remote sensing of the Earth's atmosphere. It was launched into low Earth circular orbit ( altitude ... [more ▼]

SCISAT-1, also known as the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment ( ACE), is a Canadian satellite mission for remote sensing of the Earth's atmosphere. It was launched into low Earth circular orbit ( altitude 650 km, inclination 74 degrees) on 12 Aug. 2003. The primary ACE instrument is a high spectral resolution (0.02 cm(-1)) Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) operating from 2.2 to 13.3 mm ( 750 - 4400 cm(-1)). The satellite also features a dual spectrophotometer known as MAESTRO with wavelength coverage of 285 - 1030 nm and spectral resolution of 1 - 2 nm. A pair of filtered CMOS detector arrays records images of the Sun at 0.525 and 1.02 mu m. Working primarily in solar occultation, the satellite provides altitude profile information ( typically 10 - 100 km) for temperature, pressure, and the volume mixing ratios for several dozen molecules of atmospheric interest, as well as atmospheric extinction profiles over the latitudes 85 degrees N to 85 degrees S. This paper presents a mission overview and some of the first scientific results. [less ▲]