R. de Beek

Space‐based near‐infrared CO2 measurements: Testing the Orbiting Carbon Observatory retrieval algorithm and validation concept using SCIAMACHY observations over Park Falls, Wisconsin

Space-based measurements of reflected sunlight in the near-infrared (NIR) region promise to yield accurate and precise observations of the global distribution of atmospheric CO_2. The Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) is a future NASA mission, which will use this technique to measure the column-averaged dry air mole fraction of CO_2 (X_(CO)_2) with the precision and accuracy needed to quantify CO_2 sources and sinks on regional scales (∼1000 × 1000 km^2) and to characterize their variability on seasonal timescales. Here, we have used the OCO retrieval algorithm to retrieve (X_(CO)_2) and surface pressure from space-based Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography (SCIAMACHY) measurements and from coincident ground-based Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) measurements of the O_2 A band at 0.76 μm and the 1.58 μm CO_2 band for Park Falls, Wisconsin. Even after accounting for a systematic error in our representation of the O_2 absorption cross sections, we still obtained a positive bias between SCIAMACHY and FTS (X_(CO)_2) retrievals of ∼3.5%. Additionally, the retrieved surface pressures from SCIAMACHY systematically underestimate measurements of a calibrated pressure sensor at the FTS site. These findings lead us to speculate about inadequacies in the forward model of our retrieval algorithm. By assuming a 1% intensity offset in the O_2 A band region for the SCIAMACHY (X_(CO)_2) retrieval, we significantly improved the spectral fit and achieved better consistency between SCIAMACHY and FTS (X_(CO)_2) retrievals. We compared the seasonal cycle of (X_(CO)_2)at Park Falls from SCIAMACHY and FTS retrievals with calculations of the Model of Atmospheric Transport and Chemistry/Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach (MATCH/CASA) and found a good qualitative agreement but with MATCH/CASA underestimating the measured seasonal amplitude. Furthermore, since SCIAMACHY observations are similar in viewing geometry and spectral range to those of OCO, this study represents an important test of the OCO retrieval algorithm and validation concept using NIR spectra measured from space. Finally, we argue that significant improvements in precision and accuracy could be obtained from a dedicated CO_2 instrument such as OCO, which has much higher spectral and spatial resolutions than SCIAMACHY. These measurements would then provide critical data for improving our understanding of the carbon cycle and carbon sources and sinks.

Sciatran - a new radiative transfer model for geophysical applications in the 240–2400 NM spectral region: the pseudo-spherical version

Abstract A radiative transfer model, SCIATRAN, has been developed mainly for the retrieval of atmospheric constituents from global nadir radiance measurements of the SCIAMACHY satellite spectrometer. This is a further development of the successful GOMETRAN. SCIATRAN solves the radiative transfer equation using the Finite Difference Method for a plane-parallel vertically inhomogeneous atmosphere taking into account multiple scattering. The present program version utilizes the pseudo-spherical approach, including refraction, appropriate for solar zenith angles up to about 92°. SCIATRAN comprises, amongst others, the following features: (i) quasi-analytical calculation of weighting functions of atmospheric and surface parameters, (ii) DOAS airmass factor calculations, (iii) height resolved radiation fluxes, including actinic fluxes for photolysis rate calculations, (iv) inelastic rotational Raman scattering by N 2 and O 2 molecules, (v) parameterization schemes for aerosols and clouds, (vi) a line-by-line and a correlated-k distribution mode for line absorption, and (vii) thermal emission. This paper presents an overview of the SCIATRAN model, focusing on the pseudo-spherical approach developed to consider the sphericity of the Earth. SCIATRAN will be made available via the world wide web for non-commercial scientific applications.