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UTLS water vapour from SCIAMACHY limb measurementsV3.01 (2002-2012)
K Weigel1, A Rozanov1, F Azam1
1Institute of Environmental Physics - IUP, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany.
Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
|December 22, 2017
Summary
The SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY (SCIAMACHY) satellite data (V3.01) offers reliable water vapor measurements in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. Validation shows good agreement with other datasets, though some discrepancies exist at higher altitudes and in specific regions.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Science
- Remote Sensing
- Climate Science
Background:
- The SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY (SCIAMACHY) instrument on the Envisat satellite provided atmospheric measurements from 2002 to 2012.
- Water vapor in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS) is crucial for understanding atmospheric dynamics, chemistry, and radiative forcing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present and validate the latest version (V3.01) of water vapor data retrieved from SCIAMACHY limb measurements.
- To assess the reliability and accuracy of SCIAMACHY water vapor data across different atmospheric altitudes and regions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized limb viewing geometry to retrieve water vapor profiles from SCIAMACHY's near-infrared spectral measurements (1353-1410 nm).
- Validated the V3.01 water vapor data through comparisons with other satellite and in situ measurement datasets.
- Analyzed retrieval tests and inter-dataset comparisons to determine data reliability and identify potential biases.
Main Results:
- SCIAMACHY V3.01 water vapor data are reliable between approximately 11-23 km, with best results between 14-20 km.
- Data show good agreement with other datasets, with expected errors typically below 10% for the 14-20 km range.
- Discrepancies were noted above 20 km (drier than other datasets) and below 14 km (wetter than other datasets), with potential drift indicated in the extratropical stratosphere.
Conclusions:
- SCIAMACHY V3.01 provides valuable water vapor data for the UTLS, particularly between 14-20 km.
- The data demonstrate good temporal stability overall, with a noted increase in tropical stratospheric water vapor from 2002-2012.
- Potential issues with vertical resolution above 19 km and possible drift due to aerosol treatment require consideration for specific applications.
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