Ozonesonde Quality Assurance: The JOSIE-SHADOZ (2017) Experience

Area of Science:

• Atmospheric science
• Ozone layer research
• Instrument calibration

Background:

• Ozonesondes measure ozone profiles up to 35 km, vital for satellite calibration and trend analysis, especially in the uncertain lower stratosphere.
• Electrochemical-concentration cell (ECC) ozonesondes have been used globally since the 1960s, but manufacturing and procedural changes cause data biases and discontinuities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the performance of ozonesondes used in the Southern Hemisphere Additional Ozonesondes (SHADOZ) network.
• To assess the impact of operator training and standardized protocols on data quality.

Main Methods:

• The Jülich Ozone Sonde Intercomparison Experiment (JOSIE) simulated real-world conditions in a WMO-designated World Calibration Centre for Ozonesondes (WCCOS).
• Operators from eight SHADOZ stations participated in the 2017 JOSIE campaign, testing their specific sonde configurations and procedures.

Main Results:

• SHADOZ stations adhering to World Meteorological Organization (WMO) protocols achieved total ozone measurements within 3% of the JOSIE reference instrument.
• The campaign highlighted the effectiveness of standardized protocols and operator training in minimizing biases.

Conclusions:

• Periodic intercomparison experiments like JOSIE are essential for maintaining best practices in ozonesonde operations.
• Ensuring high-quality, consistent ozonesonde data is critical for accurate satellite calibration and global ozone assessments.