Daily Binned Nitric Acid Mixing Ratios from Aura MLS Satellite

Nitric acid (HNO3) mixing ratio data derived from NASA's Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) satellite instrument. The dataset provides daily binned measurements on assorted vertical grids, with near-global spatial coverage from August 2, 2004, to the present. It is produced by the Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC) as part of the MLS/Aura Level 3 data products.

Use Cases

• Analyze HNO3 lat-lon map vs pressure group to study the global distribution and transport of reactive nitrogen in the stratosphere.
• Use lat vs pressure zonal mean data to examine seasonal and interannual variability of nitric acid across different latitudes and altitudes.
• Investigate polar chemistry by analyzing the vortex average vs potential temperature group during Arctic or Antarctic winter conditions.
• Correlate HNO3 levels from the equivalent latitude vs potential temperature zonal mean group with other trace gases to understand partitioning within the nitrogen family.
• Utilize the provided statistical fields (average, min, max, std dev, rms) within each group for uncertainty quantification in model evaluation studies.

Strengths

• Long-term record spanning from August 2004 to current, enabling climate trend analysis.
• Near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude at a resolution of 4° lat by 5° lon.
• Data is provided on multiple vertical grids (pressure, potential temperature) with statistical summaries (average, std dev, min, max, rms) for each bin.

Limitations

• Vertical coverage is limited to the recommended useful range of 215 to 1.47 hPa, excluding the lower troposphere.
• Spatial resolution of 4°x5° may be too coarse for studying small-scale atmospheric phenomena.
• Data quality and interpretation require consulting specific documentation (EOS MLS Level 2 Version 4 Quality Document), indicating complexity for new users.

Provenance

Source

NASA Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instrument, processed by GES DISC.

Collection Method

Derived from radiances measured by the 240 GHz and 190 GHz radiometers, binned daily onto assorted grids.

Time Range

August 2, 2004 to current.

Freshness

Updated with current data; coverage is to present.

Geography

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