Vertical Profile of Ozone Derived from Combined MLS and TES Satellite Observations

Abstract

Ozone is one of the most important gases in the atmosphere as it plays different roles based on the levels it presents. The ozone layer in the stratosphere protects life on Earth by absorbing ultraviolet (UV) radiance while harming life at ground-level. In order to better understand the source of ozone pollution, transport of ozone, stratosphere-troposphere exchange of ozone, it is necessary to estimate the vertical profile of ozone. In this study, we derive the vertical ozone profile throughout the troposphere to the stratosphere by combing ozone retrievals from MLS (Microwave Limb Sounder) and TES (Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer). The combination algorithm is based on the MLS and TES retrieved vertical profiles of ozone, and averaging kernels of MLS, which represent the vertical sensitivity of the instrument. The combination algorithm was applied to the pairs of MLS and TES over the globe in 2007 as examples. The combined vertical profiles were compared with ozonesonde observations for validation, which indicate that the combined products extract information from MLS and TES have less biases than that of MLS or TES alone in general in both stratosphere and troposphere under certain quantitative criteria.