Long-term series of tropospheric water vapour amounts and HDO/H2O ratio profiles above Jungfraujoch

in Geophysical Research Abstracts (2012), 14

Water vapour is a crucial climate variable involved in many processes which widely determine the energy budget of our planet. In particular, water vapour is the dominant greenhouse gas in the Earth’s ... [more ▼]

Water vapour is a crucial climate variable involved in many processes which widely determine the energy budget of our planet. In particular, water vapour is the dominant greenhouse gas in the Earth’s atmosphere and its radiative forcing is maximum in the middle and upper troposphere. Because of the extremely high variability of water vapour concentration in time and space, it is challenging for the available relevant measurement techniques to provide a consistent data set useful for trend analyses and climate studies. Schneider et al. (2006a) showed that ground-based Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, performed from mountain observatories, allows for the detection of H2O variabilities up to the tropopause. Furthermore, the FTIR measurements allow the retrieval of HDO amounts and therefore the monitoring of HDO/H2O ratio profiles whose variations act as markers for the source and history of the atmospheric water vapour. In the framework of the MUSICA European project (Multi-platform remote Sensing of Isotopologues for investigating the Cycle of Atmospheric water, http://www.imk-asf.kit.edu/english/musica.php), a new approach has been developed and optimized by M. Schneider and F. Hase, using the PROFFIT algorithm, to consistently retrieve tropospheric water vapour profiles from high-resolution ground-based infrared solar spectra and so taking benefit from available long-term data sets of ground-based observations. The retrieval of the water isotopologues is performed on a logarithmic scale from 14 micro-windows located in the 2600-3100 cm-1 region. Other important features of this new retrieval strategy are: a speed dependant Voigt line shape model, a joint temperature profile retrieval and an interspecies constraint for the HDO/H2O profiles. In this contribution, we will combine the quality of the MUSICA strategy and of our observations, which are recorded on a regular basis with FTIR spectrometers, under clear-sky conditions, at the NDACC site (Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change, http://www.ndacc.org) of the Jungfraujoch International Scientific Station (Swiss Alps, 46.5°N, 8.0°E, 3580m asl). Information content analysis of the retrieved H2O products allows us to produce a long-term trend from 1996 to 2011 for different tropospheric levels. We will compare the annual cycle of tropospheric HDO/H2O ratio profiles with those already produced at other sites (Schneider et al., 2010). We will also focus on the diurnal variability of water vapour to determine a time limit in the inter-comparison of different water vapour measurement techniques. [less ▲]

Hydrogen fluoride total and partial column time series above the Jungfraujoch from long-term FTIR measurements: Impact of the line-shape model, characterization of the error budget and seasonal cycle, and comparison with satellite and model data

in Journal of Geophysical Research. Atmospheres (2010), 115

Time series of hydrogen fluoride (HF) total columns have been derived from ground-based Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) solar spectra recorded between March 1984 and December 2009 at the International ... [more ▼]

Time series of hydrogen fluoride (HF) total columns have been derived from ground-based Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) solar spectra recorded between March 1984 and December 2009 at the International Scientific Station of the Jungfraujoch (Swiss Alps, 46.5°N, 8.0°E, 3580 m asl) with two high resolution spectrometers (one home-made and one Bruker 120-HR). Solar spectra have been inverted with the PROFFIT 9.5 algorithm, using the optimal estimation method. An inter-comparison of HF total columns retrieved with PROFFIT and SFIT-2 – the other reference algorithm in the FTIR community - is performed for the first time. The effect of a Galatry line shape model on HF retrieved total columns and vertical profiles, on the residuals of the fits and on the error budget is also quantified. Information content analysis indicates that, in addition to HF total vertical abundance, three independent stratospheric HF partial columns can be derived from our Bruker spectra. A complete error budget has been established and indicates that the main source of systematic error is linked to HF spectroscopy and that the random error affecting our HF total columns does not exceed 2.5%. Ground-based middle and upper stratospheric HF amounts have been compared to satellite data collected by the HALOE or ACE-FTS instruments. Comparisons of our FTIR HF total and partial columns with runs performed by two 3D numerical models (SLIMCAT and KASIMA) are also included. Finally, FTIR and model HF total and partial columns time series have been analyzed to derive the main characteristics of their seasonal cycles. [less ▲]

Validation of SCIAMACHY CH4 scientific products using ground-based FTIR measurements

Poster (2008, September)

In the framework of the past EVERGREEN project, the development of three scientific algorithms, namely WFM-DOAS (henceforward called WFMD), IMAP-DOAS (henceforward called IMAP) and IMLM, commenced in ... [more ▼]

In the framework of the past EVERGREEN project, the development of three scientific algorithms, namely WFM-DOAS (henceforward called WFMD), IMAP-DOAS (henceforward called IMAP) and IMLM, commenced in order to retrieve the total column amounts of key atmospheric trace gases, including CH4, from SCIAMACHY nadir observations in its near-infrared channels. Since then, the retrieval products of these three algorithms, have undergone serious improvements. At key phases in their development, the products have been validated by using a network of ground-based FTIR instruments. Parallel with the improved SCIAMACHY data, the FTIR groups have taken steps to optimise and harmonise their own datasets and as such the different validation efforts always used the state-of-the-art FTIR dataset. Here we present an overview of the evolution of the CH4 algorithms by re-validating the data, using the same FTIR dataset (as developed under the UFTIR project) for all algorithm versions. [less ▲]

Impact of different spectroscopic datasets on CH4 retrievals from Jungfraujoch FTIR spectra

Poster (2008, August)

Methane (CH4) is released in the atmosphere by natural processes (e.g. wetlands, termites) as well as by anthropogenic activities (e.g. fossil fuel exploitation, rice agriculture, biomass burning, etc ... [more ▼]

Methane (CH4) is released in the atmosphere by natural processes (e.g. wetlands, termites) as well as by anthropogenic activities (e.g. fossil fuel exploitation, rice agriculture, biomass burning, etc). Due to its high warming potential and its relatively long chemical lifetime (~9 years), atmospheric methane plays a major role in the radiative forcing responsible of the greenhouse effect. Methane also affects climate by influencing tropospheric ozone and stratospheric water. The cycle of methane is complex and to understand it requires a complete study of its emissions and its budget of sources and sinks. High quality methane data sets are needed to perform such studies. CH4 vertical distributions as well as total and partial column time series can be retrieved from high-resolution ground-based FTIR spectra, using, e.g., the SFIT-2 algorithm which implements the Optimal Estimation Method of Rodgers. A set of 5 microwindows - located in the 2 to 5.5 µm range and jointly adopted by all partners involved in the European HYMN project (www.knmi.nl/samenw/hymn/) - are fitted simultaneously during the retrieval procedure. Although this approach provides relatively high information content, CH4 retrieved profiles very often present large oscillations in the troposphere, which might result partly from inappropriate or inconsistent spectroscopic parameters. Significant improvements on retrieval quality could be reached by using more accurate CH4 spectroscopic parameters. This contribution compares 3 different sets of CH4 spectroscopic parameters (including HITRAN 2004 and 2 versions where HITRAN 2004 have been updated by recent laboratory measurements), which have been tested using one year of high resolution FTIR solar observations performed at the International Scientific Station of the Jungfraujoch (Swiss Alps, 46.5°N, 8.0 °E, 3580m a.s.l.). The impact of these different spectroscopic datasets on retrieved CH4 partial columns and vertical profiles, as well as on the fitting quality (residuals) and on the error budget characterizing our CH4 products will be evaluated and discussed. [less ▲]

Measured and modeled trends of stratospheric Cly and Fy column amounts in the northern hemisphere

Poster (2008, July)

The german HGF virtual institute PEP (Pole-Equator-Pole) has been established in 2004 in order to investigate the variability of atmospheric trace constituents along a north-south transection. Within PEP ... [more ▼]

The german HGF virtual institute PEP (Pole-Equator-Pole) has been established in 2004 in order to investigate the variability of atmospheric trace constituents along a north-south transection. Within PEP the HGF centres AWI and FZK as well as the german Universities of Bremen, Karlsruhe and Potsdam combine their knowledge and capabilities in ground-based measurements and global and regional modelling of atmospheric trace constituents and aerosols. Here we present results of long-term measurements of the stratospheric column of HCl, ClONO2, HF, and O3 obtained at the different PEP stations in the northern hemisphere and in addtion at Jungfraujoch. All stations are affiliated to the NDACC (Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change). The measured time series are compared with long-term model calculations performed with a state of the art 2-D model of the University of Bremen and the 3-D CTM KASIMA. Please note, that the lowest altitude for the determination of the total columns is about 7 km leading to a slight underestimation w.r.t. the measurements. [less ▲]

Impact of different spectroscopic datasets on CH4 retrievals from Jungfraujoch FTIR spectra

(2008)

Due to its high warming potential and its relatively long chemical lifetime (~9 years), atmospheric methane (CH4) plays a major role in the radiative forcing responsible of the greenhouse effect. Methane ... [more ▼]

Due to its high warming potential and its relatively long chemical lifetime (~9 years), atmospheric methane (CH4) plays a major role in the radiative forcing responsible of the greenhouse effect. Methane also affects climate by influencing tropospheric ozone and stratospheric water. High quality methane data sets are needed to understand its cycle and evaluate its budget of sources and sinks. Methane vertical distribution as well as total and partial column time series can be retrieved from high-resolution ground-based FTIR spectra, using, e.g., the SFIT-2 algorithm which implements the Optimal Estimation Method of Rodgers . However, although several retrieval approaches characterized by relatively high information content exist, methane retrieved profiles very often present large oscillations in their tropospheric range, which might result partly from inappropriate or inconsistent parameters. Significant improvements on retrieval quality should therefore be reached by using more accurate or compatible CH4 spectroscopic data. The main purpose of this contribution is to test and compare three different sets of CH4 spectroscopic parameters and to quantify their impact on CH4 retrieved products as well as on the fitting quality. [less ▲]

Comparisons between ground-based FTIR and MIPAS N2O and HNO3 profiles before and after assimilation in BASCOE

in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (2007), 7

Within the framework of the Network for Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC), regular ground-based Fourier transform infrared ( FTIR) measurements of many species are performed at several ... [more ▼]

Within the framework of the Network for Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC), regular ground-based Fourier transform infrared ( FTIR) measurements of many species are performed at several locations. Inversion schemes provide vertical profile information and characterization of the retrieved products which are therefore relevant for contributing to the validation of MIPAS profiles in the stratosphere and upper troposphere. We have focused on the species HNO3 and N2O at 5 NDACC-sites distributed in both hemispheres, i.e., Jungfraujoch (46.5 degrees N) and Kiruna (68 degrees N) for the northern hemisphere, and Wollongong (34 degrees S), Lauder (45 degrees S) and Arrival Heights (78 degrees S) for the southern hemisphere. These ground-based data have been compared with MIPAS offline profiles (v4.61) for the year 2003, collocated within 1000 km around the stations, in the lower to middle stratosphere. To get around the spatial collocation problem, comparisons have also been made between the same ground-based FTIR data and the corresponding profiles resulting from the stratospheric 4D-VAR data assimilation system BASCOE constrained by MIPAS data. This paper discusses the results of the comparisons and the usefullness of using BASCOE profiles as proxies for MIPAS data. It shows good agreement between MIPAS and FTIR N2O partial columns: the biases are below 5% for all the stations and the standard deviations are below 7% for the three mid-latitude stations, and below 10% for the high latitude ones. The comparisons with BASCOE partial columns give standard deviations below 4% for the mid-latitude stations to less than 8% for the high latitude ones. After making some corrections to take into account the known bias due to the use of different spectroscopic parameters, the comparisons of HNO3 partial columns show biases below 3% and standard deviations below 15% for all the stations except Arrival Heights ( bias of 5%, standard deviation of 21%). The results for this species, which has a larger spatial variability, highlight the necessity of defining appropriate collocation criteria and of accounting for the spread of the observed air-masses. BASCOE appears to have more deficiencies in producing proxies of MIPAS HNO3 profiles compared to N2O, but the obtained standard deviation of less than 10% between BASCOE and FTIR is reasonable. Similar results on profiles comparisons are also shown in the paper, in addition to partial column ones. [less ▲]

Validation of MIPAS HNO3 operational data

in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (2007), 7(18), 4905-4934

Nitric acid (HNO3) is one of the key products that are operationally retrieved by the European Space Agency (ESA) from the emission spectra measured by the Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric ... [more ▼]

Nitric acid (HNO3) is one of the key products that are operationally retrieved by the European Space Agency (ESA) from the emission spectra measured by the Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS) onboard ENVISAT. The product version 4.61/4.62 for the observation period between July 2002 and March 2004 is validated by comparisons with a number of independent observations from ground-based stations, aircraft/balloon campaigns, and satellites. Individual HNO3 profiles of the ESA MIPAS level-2 product show good agreement with those of MIPAS-B and MIPAS-STR (the balloon and aircraft version of MIPAS, respectively), and the balloon-borne infrared spectrometers MkIV and SPIRALE, mostly matching the reference data within the combined instrument error bars. In most cases differences between the correlative measurement pairs are less than 1 ppbv (5-10%) throughout the entire altitude range up to about 38 km (similar to 6 hPa), and below 0.5 ppbv (15-20% or more) above 30 km (similar to 17 hPa). However, differences up to 4 ppbv compared to MkIV have been found at high latitudes in December 2002 in the presence of polar stratospheric clouds. The degree of consistency is further largely affected by the temporal and spatial coincidence, and differences of 2 ppbv may be observed between 22 and 26 km (similar to 50 and 30 hPa) at high latitudes near the vortex boundary, due to large horizontal inhomogeneity of HNO3. Similar features are also observed in the mean differences of the MIPAS ESA HNO3 VMRs with respect to the ground-based FTIR measurements at five stations, aircraft-based SAFIRE-A and ASUR, and the balloon campaign IBEX. The mean relative differences between the MIPAS and FTIR HNO3 partial columns are within +/- 2%, comparable to the MIPAS systematic error of similar to 2%. For the vertical profiles, the biases between the MIPAS and FTIR data are generally below 10% in the altitudes of 10 to 30 km. The MIPAS and SAFIRE HNO3 data generally match within their total error bars for the mid and high latitude flights, despite the larger atmospheric inhomogeneities that characterize the measurement scenario at higher latitudes. The MIPAS and ASUR comparison reveals generally good agreements better than 10-13% at 20-34 km. The MIPAS and IBEX measurements agree reasonably well (mean relative differences within +/- 15%) between 17 and 32 km. Statistical comparisons of the MIPAS profiles correlated with those of Odin/SMR, ILAS-II, and ACE-FTS generally show good consistency. The mean differences averaged over individual latitude bands or all bands are within the combined instrument errors, and generally within 1, 0.5, and 0.3 ppbv between 10 and 40 km (similar to 260 and 4.5 hPa) for Odin/SMR, ILAS-II, and ACE-FTS, respectively. The standard deviations of the differences are between 1 to 2 ppbv. The standard deviations for the satellite comparisons and for almost all other comparisons are generally larger than the estimated measurement uncertainty. This is associated with the temporal and spatial coincidence error and the horizontal smoothing error which are not taken into account in our error budget. Both errors become large when the spatial variability of the target molecule is high. [less ▲]

Comparisons between ACE-FTS and ground-based measurements of stratospheric HCl and ClONO2 loadings at northern latitudes

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

We report first comparisons of stratospheric column abundances of hydrogen chloride (HCl) and chlorine nitrate (ClONO2) derived from infrared solar spectra recorded in 2004 at selected northern latitudes ... [more ▼]

We report first comparisons of stratospheric column abundances of hydrogen chloride (HCl) and chlorine nitrate (ClONO2) derived from infrared solar spectra recorded in 2004 at selected northern latitudes by the spaceborne Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment-Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS) and by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) instruments at the NDSC (Network for Detection of Stratospheric Change)-affiliated sites of Thule ( Greenland), Kiruna ( Sweden), Jungfraujoch ( Switzerland), and Egbert and Toronto ( Canada). Overall, and within the respective uncertainties of the independent measurement approaches, the comparisons show that the ACE-FTS measurements produce very good stratospheric volume mixing ratio profiles. Their internal precision allows to identify characteristic distribution features associated with latitudinal, dynamical, seasonal and chemical changes occurring in the atmosphere. [less ▲]

The exploitation of ground-based Fourier transform infrared observations for the evaluation of tropospheric trends of greenhouse gases over Europe

in Environmental Sciences (2005), 2(2-3), 283-293

Solar absorption measurements using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry carry information about the atmospheric abundances of many constituents, including non-CO2 greenhouse gases. Such ... [more ▼]

Solar absorption measurements using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry carry information about the atmospheric abundances of many constituents, including non-CO2 greenhouse gases. Such observations have regularly been made for many years as a contribution to the Network for the Detection of Stratospheric Change (NDSC). They are the only ground-based remote sensing observations available nowadays that carry information about a number of greenhouse gases in the free troposphere. This work focuses on the discussion of the information content of FTIR long-term monitoring data of some direct and indirect greenhouse gases (CH4, N2O, O3 and CO and C2H6, respectively), at six NDSC stations in Western Europe. This European FTIR network covers the polar to subtropical regions. At several stations of the network, the observations span more than a decade. Existing spectral time series have been reanalyzed according to a common optimized retrieval strategy, in order to derive distinct tropospheric and stratospheric abundances for the above-mentioned target gases. A bootstrap resampling method has been implemented to evaluate trends of the tropospheric burdens of the target gases, including their uncertainties. In parallel, simulations of the target time series are being made with the Oslo CTM2 model: comparisons between the model results and the observations provide valuable information to improve the model and, in particular, to optimize emission estimates that are used as inputs to the model simulations. The work is being performed within the EC project UFTIR. The paper focuses on N2O for which the first trend results have been obtained. [less ▲]