Aura MLS Daily Zonal Methyl Chloride Mixing Ratios from 2005

Methyl chloride (CH3Cl) mixing ratio data derived from the Aura satellite's Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) 640 GHz radiometer. The dataset provides daily binned measurements on zonal and vertical grids, with coverage from August 2, 2005, to the present. It is produced by the NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC) as part of the EOS MLS project.

Use Cases

• Analyze lat vs pressure zonal mean fields to map the global distribution of methyl chloride in the lower stratosphere.
• Use equivalent latitude vs potential temperature zonal mean groups to study tracer transport and vortex dynamics.
• Employ the statistical fields (average, min, max, std dev, rms) within each data group to quantify measurement uncertainty and variability.
• Correlate vortex average vs potential temperature data with other atmospheric species to investigate polar chemical processes.

Strengths

• Near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude at 4-degree increments.
• Long-term temporal coverage from August 2005 to the present, enabling trend analysis.
• Data is provided with statistical fields (average, min, max, std dev, rms) for error assessment.
• Vertical resolution is specified as 4-6 km in the lower stratosphere and 8-10 km above 14 hPa.

Limitations

• The useful vertical range is limited to between 147 and 4.64 hPa, excluding higher and lower altitudes.
• Data is binned daily and on zonal grids, which may smooth out finer spatial or sub-daily temporal features.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Derived from radiances measured by the 640 GHz radiometer on the EOS Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS).

Time Range

August 2, 2005 to present.

Freshness

Data coverage is stated as 'to current', but specific last update date is unknown.

Geography

Near-global, -82 to +82 degrees latitude.