Differences in ozone retrieval in MIPAS channels A and AB: a spectroscopic issue

<p>Discrepancies in ozone retrievals in MIPAS channels A (685–970&thinsp;cm<sup>−1</sup>) and AB (1020–1170&thinsp;cm<sup>−1</sup>) have been a long-standing problem in MIPAS data analysis, amounting to an interchannel bias (AB–A) of up to 8&thinsp;% betwe...

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Main Authors: N. Glatthor, T. von Clarmann, G. P. Stiller, M. Kiefer, A. Laeng, B. M. Dinelli, G. Wetzel, J. Orphal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2018-08-01
Series:Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
Online Access:https://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/11/4707/2018/amt-11-4707-2018.pdf
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author N. Glatthor
T. von Clarmann
G. P. Stiller
M. Kiefer
A. Laeng
B. M. Dinelli
G. Wetzel
J. Orphal
author_facet N. Glatthor
T. von Clarmann
G. P. Stiller
M. Kiefer
A. Laeng
B. M. Dinelli
G. Wetzel
J. Orphal
author_sort N. Glatthor
collection DOAJ
description <p>Discrepancies in ozone retrievals in MIPAS channels A (685–970&thinsp;cm<sup>−1</sup>) and AB (1020–1170&thinsp;cm<sup>−1</sup>) have been a long-standing problem in MIPAS data analysis, amounting to an interchannel bias (AB–A) of up to 8&thinsp;% between ozone volume mixing ratios in the altitude range 30–40&thinsp;km. We discuss various candidate explanations, among them forward model and retrieval algorithm errors, interchannel calibration inconsistencies and spectroscopic data inconsistencies. We show that forward-modelling errors as well as errors in the retrieval algorithm can be ruled out as an explanation because the bias can be reproduced with an entirely independent retrieval algorithm (GEOFIT), relying on a different forward radiative transfer model. Instrumental and calibration issues can also be refuted as an explanation because ozone retrievals based on balloon-borne measurements with a different instrument (MIPAS-B) and an independent level-1 data processing scheme produce a rather similar interchannel bias. Thus, spectroscopic inconsistencies in the MIPAS database used for ozone retrieval are practically the only reason left. To further investigate this issue, we performed retrievals using additional spectroscopic databases. Various versions of the HITRAN database generally produced rather similar channel AB–A differences. Use of a different database, namely GEISA-2015, led to similar results in channel AB, but to even higher ozone volume mixing ratios for channel A retrievals, i.e. to a reversal of the bias. We show that the differences in MIPAS channel A retrievals result from about 13&thinsp;% lower air-broadening coefficients of the strongest lines in the GEISA-2015 database. Since the errors in line intensity of the major lines used in MIPAS channels A and AB are reported to be considerably lower than the observed bias, we posit that a major part of the channel AB–A differences can be attributed to inconsistent air-broadening coefficients as well. To corroborate this assumption we show some clearly inconsistent air-broadening coefficients in the HITRAN-2008 database. The interchannel bias in retrieved ozone amounts can be reduced by increasing the air-broadening coefficients of the lines in MIPAS channel AB in the HITRAN-2008 database by 6&thinsp;%–8&thinsp;%.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-8d1a2b0bf813454c99751fa29b292ae72022-12-21T19:19:49ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Measurement Techniques1867-13811867-85482018-08-01114707472310.5194/amt-11-4707-2018Differences in ozone retrieval in MIPAS channels A and AB: a spectroscopic issueN. Glatthor0T. von Clarmann1G. P. Stiller2M. Kiefer3A. Laeng4B. M. Dinelli5G. Wetzel6J. Orphal7Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Karlsruhe, GermanyKarlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Karlsruhe, GermanyKarlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Karlsruhe, GermanyKarlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Karlsruhe, GermanyKarlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Karlsruhe, GermanyNational Research Council of Italy, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, Bologna, ItalyKarlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Karlsruhe, GermanyKarlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Karlsruhe, Germany<p>Discrepancies in ozone retrievals in MIPAS channels A (685–970&thinsp;cm<sup>−1</sup>) and AB (1020–1170&thinsp;cm<sup>−1</sup>) have been a long-standing problem in MIPAS data analysis, amounting to an interchannel bias (AB–A) of up to 8&thinsp;% between ozone volume mixing ratios in the altitude range 30–40&thinsp;km. We discuss various candidate explanations, among them forward model and retrieval algorithm errors, interchannel calibration inconsistencies and spectroscopic data inconsistencies. We show that forward-modelling errors as well as errors in the retrieval algorithm can be ruled out as an explanation because the bias can be reproduced with an entirely independent retrieval algorithm (GEOFIT), relying on a different forward radiative transfer model. Instrumental and calibration issues can also be refuted as an explanation because ozone retrievals based on balloon-borne measurements with a different instrument (MIPAS-B) and an independent level-1 data processing scheme produce a rather similar interchannel bias. Thus, spectroscopic inconsistencies in the MIPAS database used for ozone retrieval are practically the only reason left. To further investigate this issue, we performed retrievals using additional spectroscopic databases. Various versions of the HITRAN database generally produced rather similar channel AB–A differences. Use of a different database, namely GEISA-2015, led to similar results in channel AB, but to even higher ozone volume mixing ratios for channel A retrievals, i.e. to a reversal of the bias. We show that the differences in MIPAS channel A retrievals result from about 13&thinsp;% lower air-broadening coefficients of the strongest lines in the GEISA-2015 database. Since the errors in line intensity of the major lines used in MIPAS channels A and AB are reported to be considerably lower than the observed bias, we posit that a major part of the channel AB–A differences can be attributed to inconsistent air-broadening coefficients as well. To corroborate this assumption we show some clearly inconsistent air-broadening coefficients in the HITRAN-2008 database. The interchannel bias in retrieved ozone amounts can be reduced by increasing the air-broadening coefficients of the lines in MIPAS channel AB in the HITRAN-2008 database by 6&thinsp;%–8&thinsp;%.</p>https://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/11/4707/2018/amt-11-4707-2018.pdf
spellingShingle N. Glatthor
T. von Clarmann
G. P. Stiller
M. Kiefer
A. Laeng
B. M. Dinelli
G. Wetzel
J. Orphal
Differences in ozone retrieval in MIPAS channels A and AB: a spectroscopic issue
Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
title Differences in ozone retrieval in MIPAS channels A and AB: a spectroscopic issue
title_full Differences in ozone retrieval in MIPAS channels A and AB: a spectroscopic issue
title_fullStr Differences in ozone retrieval in MIPAS channels A and AB: a spectroscopic issue
title_full_unstemmed Differences in ozone retrieval in MIPAS channels A and AB: a spectroscopic issue
title_short Differences in ozone retrieval in MIPAS channels A and AB: a spectroscopic issue
title_sort differences in ozone retrieval in mipas channels a and ab a spectroscopic issue
url https://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/11/4707/2018/amt-11-4707-2018.pdf
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