Daily Satellite Nitrous Oxide Measurements On Global Grids

MLS/Aura satellite data provides daily binned nitrous oxide (N2O) mixing ratios on assorted vertical grids. Spatial coverage is near-global from -82 to +82 degrees latitude at 4 by 5-degree resolution. The data is produced by NASA's EOS Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instrument and archived by the GES DISC.

Use Cases

• Analyze lat-lon map vs pressure group data to study the global horizontal distribution of N2O concentrations across pressure levels.
• Use lat vs pressure zonal mean data to examine meridional (north-south) gradients and seasonal variations in nitrous oxide.
• Investigate vortex average vs potential temperature data to understand polar vortex dynamics and N2O behavior in polar regions.
• Employ equivalent latitude vs potential temperature zonal mean data for studying tracer transport and atmospheric mixing processes.
• Utilize the min, max, and standard deviation fields within each data group to assess measurement variability and uncertainty for specific regions or time periods.

Strengths

• Near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude.
• Data provides multiple derived views (e.g., zonal means, vortex averages) with statistical fields (average, min, max, std dev, rms).
• Recommended useful vertical range spans from 68.1 to 0.464 hPa with 4-6 km vertical resolution.

Limitations

• The dataset's temporal continuity is affected by a change in the primary measurement radiometer from 640 GHz to 190 GHz after August 6, 2013.
• Spatial resolution of 4 degrees latitude by 5 degrees longitude may be coarse for regional-scale analysis.
• Specific sample size (number of daily files or total observations) is not provided in the description.

Provenance

Source

NASA EOS Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instrument, archived at the Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC).

Collection Method

Derived from radiances measured by the MLS 640 GHz radiometer (Band 12) until August 6, 2013, and the 190 GHz radiometer (Band 3) thereafter, processed to Level 3 binned daily products.

Time Range

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Freshness

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Geography

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