Satellite Nitric Acid Zonal Averages on Vertical Pressure Grid

1991 to present source data provides zonal means of nitric acid (HNO3) concentrations from three satellite instruments: UARS MLS, ACE-FTS, and Aura MLS. The data includes calculated statistics like standard deviation and minimum/maximum values on a vertical pressure grid from 147 to 1 hPa. This source dataset is produced by the GES DISC organization for creating merged atmospheric products.

Use Cases

• Analyze long-term trends in HNO3 concentrations using the zonal mean values from 1991 to present.
• Assess variability in atmospheric HNO3 by examining the provided standard deviation for each pressure level.
• Validate chemical transport models by comparing simulated HNO3 profiles against the satellite-derived minimum and maximum value ranges.
• Study the vertical distribution of nitric acid across pressure levels from 147 hPa to 1 hPa.

Strengths

• Multi-decadal temporal coverage from 1991 to present.
• Data consolidated from three established satellite instruments: UARS MLS, ACE-FTS, and Aura MLS.
• Includes derived statistics like standard deviation and min/max values alongside zonal means.

Limitations

• Data last updated in 2012, indicating potential staleness for recent years.
• Specific row counts, sample sizes, and geographic granularity are unknown.
• Limited vertical range (147 to 1 hPa) may not capture the full atmospheric column.

Provenance

Source

GES_DISC, NASA

Collection Method

Calculated zonal means and statistics from original Level 2 satellite instrument data.

Time Range

1991 - present

Freshness

null

Geography

Global zonal averages (10-degree latitude bands)