Daily Zonal Nitric Acid Mixing Ratios from Aura Satellite

Microwave Limb Sounder data provides daily binned nitric acid mixing ratios from August 2005 to present. The EOS Aura MLS instrument measures radiances at 240 GHz and 190 GHz to derive these atmospheric profiles. Data is processed and archived by the NASA GES DISC.

Use Cases

• Model validation by comparing simulated HNO3 concentrations against the lat vs pressure zonal mean data.
• Analyzing seasonal and interannual variability of nitric acid using the time series of daily binned averages.
• Studying polar vortex chemistry by examining the vortex average vs potential temperature group data.
• Investigating vertical transport processes using profiles across the useful range from 215 to 1.47 hPa.
• Mapping near-global spatial distribution of HNO3 from -82 to +82 degrees latitude at 4-degree increments.

Strengths

• Continuous daily data coverage from August 2, 2005 to present.
• Near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude.
• Provides multiple statistical views per day (average, min, max, std dev, rms) across four group objects.
• Vertical resolution between 3 and 5 km within the recommended useful range.

Limitations

• Useful vertical range is limited to 215 to 1.47 hPa, excluding higher and lower atmospheric layers.
• Spatial resolution is coarse at 4-degree latitude zonal increments.
• Data quality and interpretation require consulting the specific EOS MLS Level 2 Version 5 Quality Document.

Provenance

Source

NASA EOS Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instrument.

Collection Method

Derived from radiances measured by the 240 GHz and 190 GHz radiometers, processed to Level 3 daily binned product.

Time Range

August 2, - to present.

Freshness

Updated daily with current data.

Geography

Near-global (-82 to +82 degrees latitude).