Merged Nitric Acid Zonal Averages from Satellite Instruments

1991 to present merged nitric acid (HNO3) zonal means on a vertical pressure grid from 147 to 1 hPa. The dataset combines measurements from UARS MLS, ACE-FTS, and Aura MLS satellite instruments, processed by the GES DISC. It provides monthly Level 3 data as 10-degree zonal averages.

Use Cases

• Analyze long-term trends in HNO3 concentration using the zonal mean values from 1991 onward.
• Validate atmospheric chemistry models by comparing simulated vertical profiles against the standard deviation and min/max values per pressure level.
• Study inter-hemispheric differences in nitric acid by comparing zonal averages across different latitude bands.
• Investigate instrument bias and merging consistency by referencing the separate source data product (GozSmlpHNO3).

Strengths

• Multi-decadal coverage from 1991 to present.
• Data merged from three major satellite instruments (UARS MLS, ACE-FTS, Aura MLS) for consistency.
• Includes derived statistics like standard deviation and minimum/maximum values for each zonal mean.

Limitations

• Primary data source last updated in 2012, potentially missing recent algorithm improvements.
• Vertical coverage is limited to the pressure range from 147 to 1 hPa.
• Spatial resolution is coarse at 10-degree zonal averages.

Provenance

Source

GES DISC (Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center).

Collection Method

Merging and bias removal of source datasets from UARS MLS, ACE-FTS, and Aura MLS satellite instruments.

Time Range

1991 - present

Freshness

null

Geography

Global zonal coverage.