Impact of high-resolution <i>a priori</i> profiles on satellite-based formaldehyde retrievals Journal Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Abstract. Formaldehyde (HCHO) is either directly emitted from sources or produced during the oxidation of volatile organic compounds in the troposphere. It is possible to infer atmospheric HCHO concentrations using space-based observations, which may be useful for studying emissions and tropospheric chemistry at urban to global scales depending on the quality of the retrievals. In the near future, an unprecedented volume of satellite-based HCHO measurement data will be available from both geostationary and polar-orbiting platforms. Therefore, it is essential to develop retrieval methods appropriate for the next-generation satellites that measure at higher spatial and temporal resolution than the current ones. In this study, we examine the importance of fine spatial and temporal resolution a priori profile information on the retrieval by conducting approximately 45 000 radiative transfer model calculations in the Los Angeles Basin megacity. Our analyses suggest that an air mass factor (AMF, ratio of slant columns to vertical columns) based on fine spatial and temporal resolution a priori profiles can better capture the spatial distributions of the enhanced HCHO plumes in an urban area than the nearly constant AMFs used for current operational products. For this urban area, the AMF values are inversely proportional to the magnitude of the HCHO mixing ratios in the boundary layer. Using our optimized model HCHO results in the Los Angeles Basin that mimic the HCHO retrievals from future geostationary satellites, we illustrate the effectiveness of HCHO data from geostationary measurements for understanding and predicting tropospheric ozone and its precursors.;

publication date

  • November 28, 2017

has restriction

  • green

Date in CU Experts

  • June 3, 2021 10:18 AM

Full Author List

  • Kim S-W; Natraj V; Lee S; Kwon H-A; Park R; de Gouw J; Frost G; Kim J; Stutz J; Trainer M

author count

  • 12

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