A Comparison of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Height Determination Methods Using GNSS Radio Occultation Data
The accurate determination of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Height (ABLH) is crucial in various atmospheric studies and practical applications. In this study, we present a comprehensive comparative analysis of five distinct methods for estimating ABLH using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Rad...
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Atmosphere |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/14/11/1654 |
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| author | Cong Qiu Xiaoming Wang Haobo Li Kai Zhou Jinglei Zhang Zhe Li Dingyi Liu Hong Yuan |
| author_facet | Cong Qiu Xiaoming Wang Haobo Li Kai Zhou Jinglei Zhang Zhe Li Dingyi Liu Hong Yuan |
| author_sort | Cong Qiu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The accurate determination of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Height (ABLH) is crucial in various atmospheric studies and practical applications. In this study, we present a comprehensive comparative analysis of five distinct methods for estimating ABLH using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Radio Occultation (RO) data. These methods encompass the use of bending angle and refractivity profiles, namely Minimum Gradient methods of the Bending Angle (MGBA) and Refractivity (MGR) profiles, breaking point, Wavelet Covariance Transform (WCT), and Double-Parameter Model Function (DPMF). GNSS-RO data from COSMIC-2 and Spire are used. To establish robust validation, radiosonde data are employed as a reference, ensuring the reliability of our findings. The results reveal notable variations in the performances of these ABLH estimation methods. Specifically, the MGBA, MGR, breaking point, and DPMF methods exhibit strong correlations with the reference data. Conversely, the WCT method displays weaker correlations, higher biases, and elevated root-mean-square-errors, suggesting limitations in capturing the true ABLH. Furthermore, we remove outlier screening to facilitate a comparison of the differences among the five methods. The WCT and DPMF methods can detect strong variations in the profiles near the Earth’s surface and consider them as ABLH. However, these variations are caused by errors. The MGBA method emerges as a reliable and stable option, while the WCT and DPMF methods should be used with caution due to the lower quality of the GNSS-RO profiles near the Earth’s surface. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:02:17Z |
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| id | doaj.art-2d2848066b6849dd86bf3428f1bbcb8b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:02:17Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-2d2848066b6849dd86bf3428f1bbcb8b2023-11-24T14:28:35ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332023-11-011411165410.3390/atmos14111654A Comparison of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Height Determination Methods Using GNSS Radio Occultation DataCong Qiu0Xiaoming Wang1Haobo Li2Kai Zhou3Jinglei Zhang4Zhe Li5Dingyi Liu6Hong Yuan7Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.9 Dengzhuang South Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100094, ChinaAerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.9 Dengzhuang South Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100094, ChinaSchool of Science (Geospatial), RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, AustraliaAerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.9 Dengzhuang South Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100094, ChinaAerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.9 Dengzhuang South Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100094, ChinaAerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.9 Dengzhuang South Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100094, ChinaAerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.9 Dengzhuang South Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100094, ChinaAerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.9 Dengzhuang South Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100094, ChinaThe accurate determination of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Height (ABLH) is crucial in various atmospheric studies and practical applications. In this study, we present a comprehensive comparative analysis of five distinct methods for estimating ABLH using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Radio Occultation (RO) data. These methods encompass the use of bending angle and refractivity profiles, namely Minimum Gradient methods of the Bending Angle (MGBA) and Refractivity (MGR) profiles, breaking point, Wavelet Covariance Transform (WCT), and Double-Parameter Model Function (DPMF). GNSS-RO data from COSMIC-2 and Spire are used. To establish robust validation, radiosonde data are employed as a reference, ensuring the reliability of our findings. The results reveal notable variations in the performances of these ABLH estimation methods. Specifically, the MGBA, MGR, breaking point, and DPMF methods exhibit strong correlations with the reference data. Conversely, the WCT method displays weaker correlations, higher biases, and elevated root-mean-square-errors, suggesting limitations in capturing the true ABLH. Furthermore, we remove outlier screening to facilitate a comparison of the differences among the five methods. The WCT and DPMF methods can detect strong variations in the profiles near the Earth’s surface and consider them as ABLH. However, these variations are caused by errors. The MGBA method emerges as a reliable and stable option, while the WCT and DPMF methods should be used with caution due to the lower quality of the GNSS-RO profiles near the Earth’s surface.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/14/11/1654GNSSROABLH |
| spellingShingle | Cong Qiu Xiaoming Wang Haobo Li Kai Zhou Jinglei Zhang Zhe Li Dingyi Liu Hong Yuan A Comparison of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Height Determination Methods Using GNSS Radio Occultation Data Atmosphere GNSS RO ABLH |
| title | A Comparison of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Height Determination Methods Using GNSS Radio Occultation Data |
| title_full | A Comparison of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Height Determination Methods Using GNSS Radio Occultation Data |
| title_fullStr | A Comparison of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Height Determination Methods Using GNSS Radio Occultation Data |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Comparison of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Height Determination Methods Using GNSS Radio Occultation Data |
| title_short | A Comparison of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Height Determination Methods Using GNSS Radio Occultation Data |
| title_sort | comparison of atmospheric boundary layer height determination methods using gnss radio occultation data |
| topic | GNSS RO ABLH |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/14/11/1654 |
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