Publication Date:
2019-07-13
Description:
The SHADOZ network was assembled to validate a new generation of ozone-monitoring satellites and to better characterize the vertical structure of tropical ozone in the troposphere and stratosphere. Beginning with nine stations in 1998, more than 7000 ozone and P-T-U profiles are available from 14 SHADOZ sites that have operated continuously for at least a decade. We analyze ozone profiles from the recently reprocessed SHADOZ dataset that is based on adjustments for inconsistencies caused by varying ozonesonde instruments and operating techniques. First, sonde-derived total ozone column amounts are compared to the overpasses from the EP/TOMS, OMI and OMPS satellites that cover 1998-2016. Second, characteristics of the stratospheric and tropospheric columns are examined along with ozone structure in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL). We find that: (1) Relative to our earlier evaluations of SHADOZ data, in 2003, 2007 and 2012, sonde-satellite total ozone column offsets at 12 stations are 2% or less, a significant improvement. (2) As in prior studies, the ten tropical SHADOZ stations, defined as within +19 degrees latitude, display statistically uniform stratospheric column ozone, 229 + 3.9 DU, and a tropospheric zonal wave-one pattern with a 14 DU mean amplitude. (3) The TTL ozone column, which is also zonally uniform, masks complex vertical structure; this argues against using satellites for lower stratospheric ozone trends. (4) Reprocessing has led to more uniform stratospheric column amounts across sites and reduced bias in stratospheric profiles. As a consequence the variability in total column ozone now averages 5%.
Keywords:
Earth Resources and Remote Sensing
Type:
GSFC-E-DAA-TN48313
,
Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres (ISSN 2169-897X) (e-ISSN 2169-8996); 122; 23; 13,000-13,025
Format:
application/pdf
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