Satellite Zonal Means for Hydrogen Chloride on a Pressure Grid

GOZCARDS Source Hydrogen Chloride data provides monthly zonal averages, standard deviations, and min/max values on a vertical pressure grid from 147 to 0.5 hPa. The dataset merges measurements from HALOE, ACE-FTS, and Aura MLS satellite instruments. It was produced by the GES DISC and last updated in December 2012.

Use Cases

• Analyze temporal trends in hydrogen chloride concentrations using the zonal mean values across the 1991-2005 (HALOE) and 2004-onward (ACE-FTS, Aura MLS) periods.
• Assess measurement variability and uncertainty for model validation by examining the provided standard deviation and min/max value fields for each pressure level.
• Study the vertical distribution of HCl in the stratosphere by analyzing data across the pressure grid from 147 to 0.5 hPa.
• Compare source instrument data (HALOE, ACE-FTS, Aura MLS) before they are merged into a unified product.

Strengths

• Data combines measurements from three established satellite instruments: HALOE, ACE-FTS, and Aura MLS.
• Provides derived statistical metrics (zonal mean, standard deviation, minimum, maximum) for analysis.

Limitations

• Dataset has not been updated since 2012, limiting analysis of recent trends.
• Specific row counts, file sizes, and detailed column definitions are not provided.

Provenance

Source

GES DISC, NASA.

Collection Method

Zonal means calculated from original Level 2 data from HALOE, ACE-FTS, and Aura MLS satellite instruments.

Time Range

1991 to onward (coverage varies by instrument: HALOE 1991-2005, ACE-FTS and Aura MLS 2004-onward).

Freshness

Last updated on 2012-12-31.

Geography

Global, presented as 10-degree zonal averages.