NO2 Limb Retrieval in the Upper Troposphere/ Lower Stratosphere Region

Abstract

As reactive nitrogen amounts in the stratosphere increase, accurate measurements of these trace gases is of high importance. The SCIAMACHY (SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartog raphY) instrument on ENVISAT (European Environmental Satellite) performs measurements in limb geometry since 2002, providing global coverage of NO2 retrieval results every six days. In this study, a novel approach to improve the sensitivity of SCIAMACHY NO2 limb retrieval results at the UTLS (Upper Troposphere/ Lower Stratosphere) altitude layer is described. Additionally, the current NO2 limb retrieval product is validated in detail and both methods are used for case studies at the North Atlantic region.