Retrieval of ozone profiles from OMPS-LP observations and merging with SCIAMACHY and SAGE II time series to study long-term changes

Stratospheric ozone is considered one of the most important trace gases in the atmosphere. After the strong ozone depletion observed at the end of last century, an ozone recovery is expected in the next decades, in response to the decreasing emissions of chlorine-containing ozone-depleting substances. This recovery is predicted to have a complex spatial structure and is modulated by the ongoing climate change. Within this framework, this dissertation is articulated in 3 main steps. First, the set-up of an ozone retrieval algorithm to be applied to limb observations from the OMPS-LP satellite instrument and its characterization in terms of error budget. Second, the comparison and the validation of the retrieved ozone profiles using independent data sets, e.g., ozonesondes and MLS. Third, the merging of OMPS-LP time series with other satellite data sets (in particular SCIAMACHY) to study long term changes over the last decades, as a function of altitude, latitude and longitude.