A new stratospheric and tropospheric NO2 retrieval algorithm for nadir-viewing satellite instruments : applications to OMI

We describe a new algorithm for the retrieval of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) vertical columns from nadir-viewing satellite instruments. This algorithm (SP2) is the basis for the Version 2.1 OMI This algorithm (SP2) is the basis for the Version 2.1 Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) NO2 Standard Product and features a novel method for separating the stratospheric and tropospheric columns. NO2 Standard Product and features a novel method for separating the stratospheric and tropospheric columns. The approach estimates the stratospheric NO2 directly from satellite data without using stratospheric chemical transport models or assuming any global zonal wave pattern. Tropospheric NO2 columns are retrieved using air mass factors derived from high-resolution radiative transfer calculations and a monthly climatology of NO2 profile shapes. We also present details of how uncertainties in the retrieved columns are estimated. The sensitivity of the retrieval to assumptions made in the stratosphere-troposphere separation is discussed and shown to be small, in an absolute sense, for most regions. We compare daily and monthly mean global OMI NO2 retrievals using the SP2 algorithm with those of the original Version 1 Standard Product (SP1) and the Dutch DOMINO product. The SP2 retrievals yield significantly smaller summertime tropospheric columns than SP1, particularly in polluted regions, and are more consistent with validation studies. SP2 retrievals are also relatively free of modeling artifacts and negative tropospheric NO2 values. In a reanalysis of an INTEX-B validation study, we show that SP2 largely eliminates an similar to 20% discrepancy that existed between OMI and independent in situ springtime NO2 SP1 measurements

The 2005 and 2006 DANDELIONS NO2 and aerosol intercomparison campaigns

Dutch Aerosol and Nitrogen Dioxide Experiments for Validation of OMI and SCIAMACHY (DANDELIONS) is a project that encompasses validation of spaceborne measurements of NO\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Cartography (SCIAMACHY), and of aerosol by OMI and Advanced Along-Track Scanning Radiometer (AATSR), using an extensive set of ground-based and balloon measurements over the polluted area of the Netherlands. We present an extensive data set of ground-based, balloon, and satellite data on NO\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e, aerosols, and ozone obtained from two campaigns within the project, held during May-June 2005 and September 2006. We have used these data for first validation of OMI NO\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e, and the data are available through the Aura Validation Data Center website for use in other validation efforts. In this paper we describe the available data, and the methods and instruments used, including the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) NO\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e lidar. We show that NO\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e from Multi-Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) compares well with in situ measurements. We show that different MAX-DOAS instruments, operating simultaneously during the campaign, give very similar results. We also provide unique information on the spatial homogeneity and the vertical and temporal variability of NO\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e, showing that during a number of days, the NO\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e columns derived from measurements in different directions varied significantly, which implies that, under polluted conditions, measurements in one single azimuth direction are not always representative for the averaged field that the satellite observes. In addition, we show that there is good agreement between tropospheric NO\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e from OMI and MAX-DOAS, and also between total NO\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e from OMI and direct-sun observations. Observations of the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) show that values derived with three ground-based instruments correspond well with each other, and with aerosol optical thicknesses observed by OMI. Copyright 2008 by the American Geophysical Union. U7 - Export Date: 2 August 2010 U7 - Source: Scopus U7 - Art. No.: D16S4