Advancing measurements of tropospheric NO2 from space: New algorithm and first global results from OMPS. Issue 13 (10th July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Kai; Carn, Simon A.; Ge, Cui; Wang, Jun; Dickerson, Russell R.
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 41:Issue 13(2014:Jul.)
• Page Start: 4777
• Page End: 4786
• Publication Date: 2014-07-10
• Subjects: Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1002/2014GL060136
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="grl51836-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p id="grl51836-para-0001">We present a new algorithm based on the iterative spectral fitting technique for direct retrieval of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) vertical columns from hyperspectral satellite measurements, and a new spatial technique for separating the stratospheric and tropospheric contributions to the total NO₂ vertical columns. This direct vertical column fitting (DVCF) algorithm allows more complete treatment of underlying algorithm physics compared to the differential optical absorption spectroscopy technique and enables more accurate accounting for the effects of spectral and altitude variations in NO₂ measurement sensitivities. This DVCF algorithm and the stratosphere‐troposphere separation scheme are applied to ultraviolet measurements from the Nadir Mapper of the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) on the Suomi National Polar‐orbiting Partnership spacecraft. The first results demonstrate the potential of OMPS for sensitive global monitoring of tropospheric NO₂. Comparisons show good agreement with Aura Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) tropospheric NO₂ data and that OMPS data have sufficient quality to continue and extend OMI NO₂ data records.</p> </abstract>