Towards validation of SCIAMACHY lunar occultation NO2 vertical profiles

Vertical profiles of stratospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) have been retrieved from moderate resolution lunar occultation transmission spectra measured by Scanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY (SCIAMACHY) on board the European Environmental Satellite (ENVISAT). These measurements were taken over the high southern latitude of 50°–90° during the period of 2003–2005. To assess the accuracy of the retrieved NO₂ profiles, the SCIAMACHY nighttime NO₂ profiles were compared with NO₂ profiles retrieved from sunrise solar occultation spectra measured by the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) and the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiments II (SAGE II) using a photochemical correction model. The validation results show good agreement of SCIAMACHY lunar occultation NO₂ with scaled HALOE and SAGE II profiles. The relative mean differences (rmd) with scaled HALOE profiles are within −13% to +5% and standard deviations (rms) of the relative differences are within 3–19% between 25 and 38 km. The rmd and rms with scaled SAGE II NO₂ profiles are in the range of −9 to +7 and 10–17% respectively between 22 and 39 km.     

Study of satellite retrieved CO2 and CH4 concentration over India

This paper reports a study of spatial and temporal variations of columnar averaged concentration of CO₂ and CH₄ over India using SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY (SCIAMACHY) and Greenhouse gas Observing SATellite (GOSAT) data. Comparison of these data with the global view National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) land data and also location specific flask data is made. The temporal variation in column averaged global CO₂ is similar to that over India and it is also similar to the NOAA surface flask data and global view. The variation in NOAA surface CH₄ is location dependent and its global view appears to vary seasonally in opposite phase with the column averaged CH₄ values from satellites, reflecting the limited comparability of surface and column averaged data. Over India the CO₂ maximum is in May and minimum in August/September while for CH₄ the maximum is in September and minimum in February/March. The seasonal variation of CH₄ over India is correlated with the eastern coastal rice cultivation.     

SCIAMACHY solar irradiance observation in the spectral range from 240 to 2380 nm

The SCanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric CHartographY (SCIAMACHY) is part of the payload of ESA’s Environmental Satellite ENVISAT which was launched into a sun-synchronous polar orbit on 2002-03-01. It is the first spaceborne instrument covering a wavelength range from 240 to 2380 nm thus including ultraviolet, visible and near infrared spectral regions.The main purpose of SCIAMACHY is to determine the amount and distribution of a large number of atmospheric trace constituents by measuring the radiance backscattered from the Earth. In addition, several solar observations are performed with daily or orbital frequency.The presented results will cover the following topics: (a) comparison of the solar irradiance measured by SCIAMACHY with data from the instruments SOLSPEC/SOLSTICE/SUSIM and a solar spectrum derived by Kurucz; (b) comparison of the SCIAMACHY solar Mg II index with GOME and NOAA data; (c) correlation of the relative change of solar irradiance measured by SCIAMACHY with the sun spot index.The mean solar irradiance for each of the 8 SCIAMACHY channels agrees with the Kurucz data within ±2–3%. The presented analysis proves that SCIAMACHY is a valuable tool to monitor solar irradiance variations.     

First results of ozone profiles between 35 and 65 km retrieved from SCIAMACHY limb spectra and observations of ozone depletion during the solar proton events in October/November 2003

Ozone density profiles between 35 and 65 km altitude are derived from scattered sunlight limb radiance spectra measured by the SCIAMACHY instrument on the Envisat satellite. The method is based on the inversion of normalized limb radiance profiles in the Hartley absorption bands of ozone at selected wavelengths between 250 and 310 nm. It employs a non-linear Newtonian iteration version of Optimal Estimation (OE) coupled with the radiative transfer model SCIARAYS. The limb scatter technique combined with a classical OE retrieval in the short-wave UV-B and long-wave UV-C delivers reliable results as shown by a first comparison with MIPAS V4.61 profiles yielding agreement within 10% between 38 and 55 km. An overview of the methodology and an initial error analysis are presented. Furthermore the effect of the solar proton storm between 28 October and 6 November 2003 on the ozone concentration profiles is shown. They indicate large depletion of ozone of about 60% at 50 km in the Northern hemisphere, a weaker depletion in the Southern hemisphere and a dependence of the depletion on the Earth’s magnetic field.     

Chemical heating rates derived from SCIAMACHY vibrationally excited OH limb emission spectra

The SCIAMACHY instrument on board Envisat is able to measure nearly all vibrational transitions of mesospheric hydroxyl – from the ultraviolet to the near infrared spectral region.

In this paper, we analyze SCIAMACHY limb emission data in the 1000–1750 nm spectral region by means of a new vibrational non-LTE model of OH. Several hydroxyl hotbands are identified. Vibrational non-LTE model calculations applying different collisional relaxation models are able to reproduce the measured spectra. Best agreement between model calculations and measured spectra is obtained, if a combination of multiquantum and step ladder single-quantum relaxation model is applied. Emissions from the OH(v = 9) vibrational state are used to derive chemical heating rates from the SCIAMACHY spectra. Instantaneous heating rates are in the order of 10 K/day.     

Comparison of OClO nadir measurements from SCIAMACHY and GOME

The scanning imaging absorption spectrometer for atmospheric chartography was launched successfully onboard ENVISAT on March 1, 2002. It observes the solar radiation transmitted and backscattered from the atmosphere and reflected from the ground in nadir, limb and occultation viewing modes. Chlorine dioxide (OClO), an important indicator for stratospheric chlorine activation, can be measured in the UV spectral range by differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS).

First results of the DOAS retrieval of OClO slant column densities from the SCIAMACHY nadir measurements are presented and compared to measurements of the global ozone monitoring experiment (GOME), which has successfully measured OClO since 1995. While SCIAMACHY operates in the same orbit, it measures ≈30 min earlier than GOME and has an increased spatial resolution (30 × 60 km² compared to 40 × 320 km² for GOME).     

Kinetic temperature and carbon dioxide from broadband infrared limb emission measurements taken from the TIMED/SABER instrument

The Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) experiment is one of four instruments on NASA’s Thermosphere–Ionosphere–Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) satellite. SABER measures broadband infrared limb emission and derives vertical profiles of kinetic temperature (Tk) from the lower stratosphere to approximately 120 km, and vertical profiles of carbon dioxide (CO₂) volume mixing ratio (vmr) from approximately 70 km to 120 km. In this paper we report on SABER Tk/CO₂ data in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region from the version 1.06 dataset. The continuous SABER measurements provide an excellent dataset to understand the evolution and mechanisms responsible for the global two-level structure of the mesopause altitude. SABER MLT Tk comparisons with ground-based sodium lidar and rocket falling sphere Tk measurements are generally in good agreement. However, SABER CO₂ data differs significantly from TIME-GCM model simulations. Indirect CO₂ validation through SABER-lidar MLT Tk comparisons and SABER-radiation transfer comparisons of nighttime 4.3 μm limb emission suggest the SABER-derived CO₂ data is a better representation of the true atmospheric MLT CO₂ abundance compared to model simulations of CO₂ vmr.     

Carbon monoxide spatial gradients over source regions as observed by SCIAMACHY: A case study for the United Kingdom

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an important air pollutant whose emissions and atmospheric concentrations need to be monitored. The measurements of the SCIAMACHY instrument on ENVISAT are sensitive to CO concentration changes at all atmospheric altitude levels including the boundary layer. The SCIAMACHY CO measurements therefore contain information on CO emissions. Until now no studies have been published where the SCIAMACHY CO measurements have been used to quantify CO emissions by applying, for example, inverse modelling approaches. Here we report about a step in this direction. We have analysed three years of CO columns to investigate if spatial gradients resulting from United Kingdom (UK) CO emissions can be observed from space. The UK is an interesting target area because the UK is a relatively well isolated CO source region. On the other hand, the UK is not the easiest target as its emissions are only moderate and because the surrounding water has low reflectivity in the 2.3 μm spectral region used for CO retrieval. We determined horizontal CO gradients from seasonally and yearly averaged CO during 2003–2005 over the UK taking into account daily wind fields. We show that the measured CO longitudinal (downwind) gradients have the expected order of magnitude. The estimated 2σ error of the gradients depends on time period and applied filtering criteria (e.g., land only, cloud free) and is typically 10–20% of the total column. The gradients are barely statistically significant within the 2σ error margin. This is mainly because of the relatively high noise of the SCIAMACHY CO measurements in combination with a quite low number of measurements (∼100) mainly due to cloud cover.     

Venus observations from ENVISAT–SCIAMACHY: Measurements and modeling

This work shows the capability of observing Venus with a sensor originally designed for Earth remote sensing. SCIAMACHY (SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY), onboard ENVISAT, successfully observed visible and near-infrared spectra from the Venusian atmosphere. The Venus spectra were simulated using a line-by-line radiative transfer model. The single scattering approximation was applied in order to consider the effects of an approximately 20 km-thick haze layer above the main cloud deck, which was considered as a reflecting cloud located in the upper atmosphere of the planet. CO₂ absorption lines could be distinguished in both observed and simulated spectra and a good agreement between them was also found.     

Observation of a 27-day solar signature in noctilucent cloud altitude

Previous studies have identified solar 27-day signatures in several parameters in the Mesosphere/Lower thermosphere region, including temperature and Noctilucent cloud (NLC) occurrence frequency. In this study we report on a solar 27-day signature in NLC altitude with peak-to-peak variations of about 400?m. We use SCIAMACHY limb-scatter observations from 2002 to 2012 to detect NLCs. The superposed epoch analysis method is applied to extract solar 27-day signatures. A 27-day signature in NLC altitude can be identified in both hemispheres in the SCIAMACHY dataset, but the signature is more pronounced in the northern hemisphere. The solar signature in NLC altitude is found to be in phase with solar activity and temperature for latitudes $?70°$N. We provide a qualitative explanation for the positive correlation between solar activity and NLC altitude based on published model simulations.     

Seasonal and diurnal behavior of NO2 column density in Antarctica as observed by Mark IV,Brewer Ozone Spectrophotometer Number 153

The Meteorology Department of India has been measuring vertical column density of NO₂ at Maitri (70.7°S, 11.7°E), Antarctica since July 1999 using a Mark IV, Brewer Ozone Spectrophotometer. Maitri is situated at the south of the Antarctic circle. An analysis of 6 years of data shows that NO₂ column has seasonal variation with a maximum value during summer. It is also found that during the period when sun does not set, the NO₂ column exhibits a diurnal variation, with a peak around noon and lower values in the morning and afternoon hours. Using a simple steady-state chemical reaction scheme, an attempt has been made to explain these features.     

The effects of CO2 on growth and transpiration of radish (Raphanus sativus) in hypobaria

Plants grown on long-term space missions will likely be grown in low pressure environments (i.e., hypobaria). However, in hypobaria the transpiration rates of plants can increase and may result in wilting if the water is not readily replaced. It is possible to reduce transpiration by increasing the partial pressure of CO₂ (pCO₂), but the effects of pCO₂ at high levels (>120 Pa) on the growth and transpiration of plants in hypobaria are not known. Therefore, the effects of pCO₂ on the growth and transpiration of radish (Raphanus sativus var. Cherry Bomb II) in hypobaria were studied. The fresh weight (FW), leaf area, dry weight (DW), CO₂ assimilation rates (C_A), dark respiration rates (DR), and transpiration rates from 26 day-old radish plants that were grown for an additional seven days at different total pressures (33, 66 or 101 kPa) and pCO₂ (40 Pa, 100 Pa and 180 Pa) were measured. In general, the dry weight of plants increased with CO₂ enrichment and with lower total pressure. In limiting pCO₂ (40 Pa) conditions, the transpiration for plants grown at 33 kPa was approximately twice that of controls (101 kPa total pressure with 40 Pa pCO₂). Increasing the pCO₂ from 40 Pa to 180 Pa reduced the transpiration rates for plants grown in hypobaria and in standard atmospheric pressures. However, for plants grown in hypobaria and high pCO₂ (180 Pa) leaf damage was evident. Radish growth can be enhanced and transpiration reduced in hypobaria by enriching the gas phase with CO₂ although at high levels leaf damage may occur.     

Comparing IRI and a regional model with ionosonde measurements in Pakistan

We have used the technique of expansion in Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOFs) to develop regional models of the critical frequencies of E and F₂ layers (f_oE, f_oF₂), peak height (h_mF₂), and semi-thickness of F₂ layer (Y_mF₂) over Pakistan. In the present study levels of solar activity specified by Smoothed Sunspot Number (R) from 10 to 200 are taken into account. The magnetic dip angle for the model ranges from 30° to 60°. We have compared the regional model and the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) with measurements of three ionosondes in Pakistan. The model parameters f_oE and f_oF₂ are found overall comparable to the observed hourly median values during daytime at Karachi (geographic latitude = 24.95°N, longitude = 67.13°E, magnetic inclination = 37°), Multan (30.18°N, 71.48°E, 45°) and Islamabad (33.75°N, 73.13°E, 51.5°) during the years 1988, 1996 and 2000. For h_mF₂ the computed values by regional and IRI model for the year 1995 are found close to each other. However, for Y_mF₂the results are better during daytime as compared to nighttime.     

Reconstruction of topside density profile by using the topside sounder model profiler and digisonde data

To improve the accuracy of the real time topside electron density profiles given by the Digisonde software a new model-assisted technique is used. This technique uses the Topside Sounder Model (TSM), which provides the plasma scale height (H_s), O⁺–H⁺ transition height (H_T), and their ratio Rt = H_s/H_T, derived from topside sounder data of Alouette and ISIS satellites. The Topside Sounder Model Profiler (TSMP) incorporates TSM and uses the model quantities as anchor points in construction of topside density (Ne) profiles. For any particular location, TSMP calculates topside Ne profiles by specifying the values of foF2 and hmF2. In the present version, TSMP takes the F2 peak characteristics – foF2, hmF2, and the scale height at hmF2 – from the Digisonde measurements. The paper shows results for the Digisonde stations Athens and Juliusruh. It is found that the topside scale height used in Digisonde reconstruction is less than that extracted from topside sounder profiles. Rough comparison of their bulk distributions showed that they differ by an average factor of 1.25 for locations of Athens and Juliusruh. When the Digisonde scale heights are adjusted by this factor, the reconstructed topside profiles are close to those provided by TSM. Compared with CHAMP reconstruction profiles in two cases, TSMP/Digisonde profiles show lower density between 400 and 2000 km.     

Comparing ionospheric models with mid-latitude ionosonde observations

The purpose of this research work is to validate the ionospheric models (IRI and CHIU) to assess its suitability and usefulness as an operational tool. The ionospheric model is a computer model designed to predict the state of the global ionosphere for 24 h. The scope was limited to conduct comparisons between the predicted F₂ layer critical frequencies (f₀F₂) against observed ionosonde data. The ionospheric prediction model (IPM) was designed to predict by using monthly median sunspot number, while the observation data are taken from two digital ionospheric sounding stations (Okinawa, 26.28N, 127.8E and Wakkanai, 45.38N, 141.66E) which lies within the mid-latitude region of the globe. Analysis of the f₀F₂ data from stations for year (2001) with high solar activity and year (2004) with low solar activity, four months (March, June, September and December) chosen based primarily on data availability. From results it seen that the ratio between monthly median predicted and observed f₀F₂ values for each model used in this research work and for the chosen months was nonlinear with local time, so the empirical formula for applying correction factors were determined, these formula can be used to correct the error occurred in predicted f₀F₂ value.     

Sporadic sodium layers and the average vertical distribution of atmospheric sodium: Comparison of different Nas layer strengths

In an earlier study of sporadic sodium layers (Na_s) [Simonich, D.M., Clemesha B.R., Batista, P.P. Sporadic layers and the vertical distribution of atmospheric sodium. Adv. Space Res. 35, 1976–1980, 2005], observed by lidar at São José do Campos (23°S, 46°W) we found that, although individual profiles give the impression that Na_s layers involve sodium additional to the normal background layer, there is very little difference between the long-term averages of profiles with and without the presence of Na_s. This led us to conclude that Na_s layers result from the redistribution of an omnipresent source, rather than an additional source mechanism. We have now extended this study to investigate whether or not the relative magnitude of Na_s layers influences this conclusion. To this end we manually characterized all the profiles obtained in the time interval from 1900 to 2200 LT for the years 1993–2004. This involved registering the upper and lower limits to each Na_s layer observed, the height of the peak and the sodium concentration at each of these three points. We then computed average profiles for Na_s layers of differing strengths, with strength defined as the concentration at the peak divided by the mean of the concentrations at the upper and lower boundaries. For strengths up to 4 the results confirmed our earlier conclusion but for Na_s layer strengths greater than 4 we found a significant difference between the average profiles with and without Na_s. For the strong Na_s layers both the average abundance and the average peak sodium concentration were about 10% greater than for layers without Na_s. This leads to the possibility that a different mechanism might be responsible for very stronger sporadic layers although we do not think this very likely.     

Study on O2 generation and CO2 absorption capability of four co-cultured salad plants in an enclosed system

The ability to generate O₂ and absorb CO₂ of several co-cultured vegetable plants in an enclosed system was studied to provide theoretical reference for the future man-plant integrated tests. Four kinds of salad plants (Lactuca sativa L. var. Dasusheng, Lactuca sativa L. var. Youmaicai, Gynura bicolor and Cichorium endivia L.) were grown in the CELSS Integration Test Platform (CITP). The environmental factors including O₂ and CO₂ concentration were continuously monitored on-line and the plant biomass was measured at the end of the test. The changing rules of O₂ and CO₂ concentration in the system were basically understood and it was found that the O₂ generated by the plants could satisfy the respiratory needs of 1.75 persons by calculation. It was also found that the plants could absorb the CO₂ breathed out by 2 persons when the light intensity was raised to 550 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹ PPF. The results showed that the co-cultured plants hold good compatibility and excellent O₂-generating and CO₂-absorbing capability. They could also supply some fresh edible vegetable for a 2-person crew.     

H2O concentration in the middle atmosphere: Processing of LIMS radiance measurements with a research algorithm

Transmittance functions as well as inversion algorithms have been developed for deriving H₂O profiles from radiometer measurements. These computer programs have been applied to evaluate own stratospheric balloon occultation measurements and LIMS (Limb Infrared Monitor of the Stratosphere) radiance measurements in the H₂O channel. The results are compared with the H₂O profiles in the LIMS data archive. The differences between corresponding H₂O profiles are discussed in dependence of altitude and latitude.     

Ni75Al4V21合金沉淀早期微观相场法模拟

采用三元体系微观相场动力学模型,对较低铝浓度的Ni₇₅Al₄V₂₁合金中γ′相和θ相沉淀早期进行计算研究,模拟了合金的原子图像演化过程,并计算了θ(Ni₃V)相和γ′(Ni₃Al)相的相内成分序参数分布和长程序参数分布.结果表明,θ相先析出,其沉淀机制为等成分有序化+失稳分解,等成分有序化产生非化学计量比的单相θ有序畴,并被相界分开,失稳分解为一特殊的分解类型,主要发生在相界处,形成化学计量比θ有序相;此失稳分解过程同时又是γ′相在θ相界处以非经典异相形核方式析出的过程,先形成非化学计量比γ′有序相,并逐渐长成为化学计量比γ′有序相,从而形成2种有序相共存的组织形态.     

A mathematical description of the annual variation of the temperature-height profile of the stratosphere at Berlin

Since 1958, daily temperature-height profiles have been measured up to 35–40 km at Berlin by means of radiosondes. An attempt is made here to describe these profiles as a function of the noon solar zenith angle, χ. It is shown that the basic annual variation of the measured profiles, T(h), can be presented as T(h) = T_o(h) cos^n(h)_χ. The subsolar temperature, T_o(h), and exponent, n(h), have been determined empirically from the summer and autumn data when the radiative balance is obviously dominant. Neither term depends on the solar cycle. Warmings in winter and coolings in spring are treated as disturbances in the annual variation, due to dynamics, and are described separately as ± ΔT(h).