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www.atmos-meas-tech-discuss.net/3/3987/2010/
doi:10.5194/amtd-3-3987-2010
© Author(s) 2010. This work is distributed
under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Remote sensing of water vapour profiles in the framework of the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON)
1Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), IMK-ASF, Karlsruhe, Germany
2University of La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
3Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET), CIAI, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
*now at: Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET), CIAI, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Abstract. We show that the near infrared solar absorption spectra recorded in the framework of the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) can be used to derive the vertical distribution of tropospheric water vapour. Using spectral H2O signatures in the 4500–4700 cm−1 region one can well distinguish lower from middle/upper tropospheric water vapour concentrations. The vertical resolution is about 3 and 6 km, for the lower and middle/upper troposphere, respectively. We document the quality of the remotely-sensed profiles by comparisons with coincident in-situ Vaisala RS92 radiosonde measurements. The agreement of both techniques is very satisfactory. Due to the long-term strategy of the network and the high measurement frequency, the TCCON water vapour profile data offer novel opportunities for estimating the water vapour variability at different time scales and altitudes.
Discussion Paper (PDF, 862 KB) Interactive Discussion (Closed, 4 Comments) Final Revised Paper (AMT)
Notice on Discussion StatusCitation: Schneider, M., Sepúlveda, E., García, O., Hase, F., and Blumenstock, T.: Remote sensing of water vapour profiles in the framework of the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON), Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., 3, 3987-4007, doi:10.5194/amtd-3-3987-2010, 2010. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager XML
