Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Measuring Stratospheric H2O with an Airborne Spectrometer

Maziar Bani Shahabadi Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

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Yi Huang Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

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Print Publication:
01 Jul 2014
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-13-00191.1
Page(s):
1502–1515
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Abstract

This study examines the ability of an infrared spectral sensor flying at the tropopause level for retrieving stratospheric H2O. Synthetic downwelling radiance spectra simulated by the line-by-line radiative transfer model are used for this examination. The potential of high-sensitivity water vapor retrieval is demonstrated by an ideal sensor with low detector noise, high spectral resolution, and full infrared coverage. A suite of hypothetical sensors with varying specifications is then examined to determine the technological requirements for a satisfactory retrieval. This study finds that including far infrared in the sensor’s spectral coverage is essential for achieving accurate H2O retrieval with an accuracy of 0.4 ppmv (1-sigma). The uncertainties in other gas species such as CH4, N2O, O3, and CO2 do not significantly affect the H2O retrieval. Such a hyperspectral instrument may afford an advantageous tool, especially for detecting small-scale lower-stratospheric moistening events.

Corresponding author address: Maziar Bani Shahabadi, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, McGill University, Room 945, Burnside Hall, 805 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal QC H3A 0B9, Canada. E-mail: maziar.banishahabadi@mail.mcgill.ca

Abstract

This study examines the ability of an infrared spectral sensor flying at the tropopause level for retrieving stratospheric H2O. Synthetic downwelling radiance spectra simulated by the line-by-line radiative transfer model are used for this examination. The potential of high-sensitivity water vapor retrieval is demonstrated by an ideal sensor with low detector noise, high spectral resolution, and full infrared coverage. A suite of hypothetical sensors with varying specifications is then examined to determine the technological requirements for a satisfactory retrieval. This study finds that including far infrared in the sensor’s spectral coverage is essential for achieving accurate H2O retrieval with an accuracy of 0.4 ppmv (1-sigma). The uncertainties in other gas species such as CH4, N2O, O3, and CO2 do not significantly affect the H2O retrieval. Such a hyperspectral instrument may afford an advantageous tool, especially for detecting small-scale lower-stratospheric moistening events.

Corresponding author address: Maziar Bani Shahabadi, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, McGill University, Room 945, Burnside Hall, 805 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal QC H3A 0B9, Canada. E-mail: maziar.banishahabadi@mail.mcgill.ca
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