Impact of Spectroscopic and Atmospheric State Knowledge on Retrieved
XCO2 and XCH4 Column Amounts from Laser Differential Absorption
Spectrometer Measurements
Abstract
In this work we extend previous studies by exploring the potential
impact of spectroscopic knowledge along with atmospheric state knowledge
on retrievals of carbon dioxide (XCO2) and methane (XCH4) column amounts
from laser differential absorption spectrometer (LAS) measurements. This
has been done for multiple CO2 absorption lines in the 1.57 and 2.05 μm
regions, and for CH4 in the 1.65 μm region. One such potential source of
error in performing XCO2 retrievals is modeled surface pressure. Since
it has been proposed to derive surface pressure from LAS-based O2
measurements in lieu of modeled surface pressure for use in XCO2
retrievals as a means of error reduction, our past work has also
attempted to characterize and quantify potential improvements in XCO2
retrieval error associated with O2-derived surface pressure for a set of
CO2 and O2 absorption line combinations. All of our previous analyses
have relied on a radiative-transfer-based simulation framework utilizing
the Line-by-Line Radiative Transfer Model (LBLRTM), version 12.2
(release date November, 2012). LBLRTM has undergone several upgrades
since version 12.2, to include updates to its line parameter database,
updates to its continuum model, and bug fixes. Our current work revisits
our prior assessments using the latest version of LBLRTM (version 12.8)
and comparisons are provided and discussed.