Samuele Masieri

MOCRA: a Monte Carlo code for the simulation of radiative transfer in the atmosphere

This paper describes the radiative transfer model (RTM) MOCRA (MOnte Carlo Radiance Analysis), developed in the frame of DOAS (Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy) to correctly interpret remote sensing measurements of trace gas amounts in the atmosphere through the calculation of the Air Mass Factor. Besides the DOAS-related quantities, the MOCRA code yields: 1- the atmospheric transmittance in the vertical and sun directions, 2- the direct and global irradiance, 3- the single- and multiple- scattered radiance for a detector with assigned position, line of sight and field of view. Sample calculations of the main radiometric quantities calculated with MOCRA are presented and compared with the output of another RTM (MODTRAN4). A further comparison is presented between the NO2 slant column densities (SCDs) measured with DOAS at Evora (Portugal) and the ones simulated with MOCRA. Both comparisons (MOCRA-MODTRAN4 and MOCRA-observations) gave more than satisfactory results, and overall make MOCRA a versatile tool for atmospheric radiative transfer simulations and interpretation of remote sensing measurements.

Cruise ships flow rate emission evaluated by means of a passive DOAS instrument

The emissions of the cruise ships, in terms of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2), are evaluated with the DOAS scanning spectrometer TropoGAS (Tropospheric Gas Analyser Spectrometer) developed at ISAC CNR in close collaboration with the CGE-UE. The slant columns amounts of the above mentioned compounds are obtained with the application of the Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) technique to the spectral measurements carried out with the TropoGAS instrument. This last is linked with an optical fibre to a simple scanning optical system allowing for measurements in multiple axis configurations. The measurements are carried out across the Giudecca Channel in Venice, during two field campaigns performed in July and in October 2007. The instrumental setup, the DOAS method and the technique for the evaluation of the ships emissions, are described. The results of flow rate emissions for NO2 and SO2 are presented and discussed. Their mean values are about 12g/s and 4 g/s for NO2 and SO2 respectively.

A Monte Carlo simulation of radiative transfer in the atmosphere applied to ToTaL-DOAS

In the frame of DOAS, a Monte Carlo code has been developed, to calculate, for a given detector with assigned diameter and field of view, the single and multiple scattering radiance. Very general 3-D geometry is foreseen. Spatial distribution along the detector axis for the single and total scattering radiance are computed. Ground reflected contributions to the solar radiance are estimated. Differential effects due to small perturbations in physical parameters, such as ozone density, can simultaneously be taken into account in the same calculation. The code has been applied to ToTaL-DOAS (Topographic Target Light scattering-Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy) measurements.

Retrieval of Gas Pollutants Vertical Profile in the Boundary Layer by Means of Multiple-Axis DOAS

This paper presents a methodology for the retrieval of the vertical profile of atmospheric gas pollutants in the boundary layer from ground-based remote sensing measurements. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) slant column amounts were obtained with the differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) technique used in the multiple-axis configuration (referred to as multiaxis DOAS). The measurements were carried out in the Presidential Estate at Castel Porziano (near Rome) from September to November 2006, within a program started in 1994 for studying and monitoring the Estates environment. The retrieval of information on trace gas vertical profiles from the slant column amounts requires as follows: (1) the simulation of the radiative transfer in the atmosphere for air mass factor calculation and (2) the application of inversion schemes. This paper illustrates and discusses the vertical profiles of NO2 and O3 obtained from multiaxis DOAS measurements and their daily evolution on October 29, 2006.

Stratospheric NO2 trends over the high mountain 'Ottavio Vittori' station, Italy

This paper presents an evaluation of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) trend inferred from UV–visible zenith-sky measurements performed at the ‘Ottavio Vittori’ ground-based research station (http://www.isac.cnr.it/cimone) at Monte Cimone (44.18° N, 10.7° E, 2165 m above sea level (a.s.l.)). Experimental data series are obtained from the measured spectra adopting a retrieval procedure according to differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) methodology. Data series cover the period from 1993 to 2009, with limited interruptions due to technical maintenance of the instrument or poor meteorological conditions. The NO2 trends are calculated with a linear regression model considering different factors assumed to contribute to NO2 atmospheric content. Before running the model, a procedure for data quality control was applied to reduce or exclude the influence of measurements affected by poor meteorological conditions or the vertical transport of polluted air masses from the lower troposphere. The negative trends obtained for sunrise (a.m.) and sunset (p.m.) NO2 measurements are in good agreement with previous studies accomplished for ground-based stations in the northern hemisphere.

Tropospheric profile of NO2 over the Po Valley measured with scan DOAS spectrometer

A simple method to determine the vertical distribution of a pollutant gas, namely NO2, by means of the spectral measurements obtained with a scan-DOAS spectrometer, is presented. The developed technique can be summarized as follows: i) a series of quasi simultaneous measurements in the zenith and in others directions allowing for the determination of the Slant Column Density of NO2 for different elevation angles; ii) an active DOAS measurement for the determination of the NO2 concentration at the ground; iii) a set of Radiative Transfer Model (RTM) calculation of the scattering distance from the spectrometer, for a set of visibility values; iv) a recursive procedure of profile calculation starting from the first measurement and subtracting the value of NO2 Slant Column Density (SCD) retrieved from the measurement taken at the previous angle of sight. Measurements are carried out during summer 2007 in S. Pietro Capofiume (Bologna-Italy). The vertical distribution for NO2 obtained with the above described method has been compared with the profiles calculated with the GAMES (Gas Aerosol Modelling Evaluation System) model. The results of this comparison show some differences between the modelled and the measured profiles, probably due to box approximations in RTM calculation for measured profiles and to the large pixel grid (about 10x10 km2), for model evaluation.

Airborne UV/Vis Actinic Measurements in the lower Antarctic Stratosphere

The present work deals with UV/Vis up-welling and down-welling irradiation measurements carried out in the lower Antarctic stratosphere by means of GASCOD-A/4pi spectroradiometer on board the M55-Geophysica aircraft during the APE-GAIA campaign. Very few such measurements have been performed in the lower stratosphere. The experimental data are used for the calculation of NO2 photodissociation rate coefficients in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere along the altitude of the flight. A detailed description of the measurement method, instrumentation and calibration procedures is presented. Experimental results are presented and discussed too.

Observations of tropospheric compounds at Evora station with multi-axis hyperspectral measurements

The multi purpose UV-Vis. Spectrometer for Atmospheric Tracers Measurement (SPATRAM) is installed at the Observatory of the Geophysics Centre of Evora (38.5º N, 7.9º W) - Portugal, since 2004, measuring the zenith scattered radiation in the 300-550 nm spectral range. The main products are the total column and the vertical profiles of NO2 and O3 obtained with the application of the Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) algorithms and with inversion schemes based on the Optimal Estimation methods respectively. Recently (February 2009), the MIGE (Multiple Input Geometry Equipment) was coupled to the SPATRAM instrument allowing for the measurements of the diffused radiation in directions away from the zenith one (Off-Axis). MIGE is an alt-azimuth platform based on a very simple optical layout, using an optical fibre to transmit the radiation inside the monochromator of the SPATRAM equipment. Thanks to the solution adopted in the developing phase, MIGE is able to scan the whole hemisphere. In this work, after a brief description of the MIGE, the first and preliminary results for vertical profiles of NO2 in the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL), and the values of Slant Column Densities (SCD) of O3 and SO2 measured in Off-Axis configuration at Evora Station, are presented and discussed.

A semianalytic Monte Carlo code for modelling LIDAR measurements

LIDAR (LIght Detection and Ranging) is an optical active remote sensing technology with many applications in atmospheric physics. Modelling of LIDAR measurements appears useful approach for evaluating the effects of various environmental variables and scenarios as well as of different measurement geometries and instrumental characteristics. In this regard a Monte Carlo simulation model can provide a reliable answer to these important requirements. A semianalytic Monte Carlo code for modelling LIDAR measurements has been developed at ISAC-CNR. The backscattered laser signal detected by the LIDAR system is calculated in the code taking into account the contributions due to the main atmospheric molecular constituents and aerosol particles through processes of single and multiple scattering. The contributions by molecular absorption, ground and clouds reflection are evaluated too. The code can perform simulations of both monostatic and bistatic LIDAR systems. To enhance the efficiency of the Monte Carlo simulation, analytical estimates and expected value calculations are performed. Artificial devices (such as forced collision, local forced collision, splitting and russian roulette) are moreover foreseen by the code, which can enable the user to drastically reduce the variance of the calculation.

Multiple axis DOAS measurements for the retrieval of nitrogen dioxide and ozone vertical profiles in the presidential estate of Castel Porziano, Rome

In this paper we present a methodology for the retrieval of the vertical profile of atmospheric gas pollutants in the boundary layer from ground based remote sensing measurements. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) slant column amounts have been obtained with the Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) technique used in the multiple axis configuration (the so called MAX-DOAS). The measurements have been carried out in the Presidential Estate at Castel Porziano (Rome) in the period from September to November 2006 in the frame of a programme started in 1994 for studying and monitoring the Estates environment. The retrieval of information on the vertical profile of trace gases from their slant column amounts requires: (1) the simulation of the radiative transfer in the atmosphere for Air Mass Factor (AMF) calculation; (2) the application of inversion schemes. In this paper the vertical profiles of NO2 and O3 obtained from multiple axis DOAS measurements and their daily evolution are presented and discussed. The day under study is the 29th of October, 2006.