Monthly Binned Methyl Chloride Mixing Ratios from Aura MLS Satellite

MLS/Aura Level 3 data provides monthly binned methyl chloride (CH3Cl) mixing ratios on assorted vertical grids. The dataset offers near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude and temporal coverage from August 2004 to the present. It is produced by the Microwave Limb Sounder instrument on NASA's Aura satellite and archived by the GES DISC.

Use Cases

• Analyze lat-lon map vs pressure group data to visualize the global distribution of CH3Cl concentrations across different atmospheric pressure levels.
• Use lat vs pressure zonal mean data to study the meridional transport and latitudinal gradients of methyl chloride in the stratosphere.
• Examine data binned against potential temperature to investigate CH3Cl behavior within isentropic coordinates, relevant for dynamical studies.
• Leverage the equivalent latitude vs potential temperature zonal mean groups to analyze tracer distributions relative to the polar vortex structure.
• Calculate trends and variability using the provided statistical fields (average, min, max, std dev, rms) for each gridded data group.

Strengths

• Long-term temporal coverage spanning from August 2004 to current, enabling trend analysis.
• Near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude at a 4° lat by 5° lon resolution.
• Data provided on multiple vertical coordinate systems (pressure, potential temperature) with specific useful range (147 to 4.64 hPa) and resolution details.
• Each file contains six distinct group objects with statistical summaries (average, std dev, rms) for comprehensive analysis.

Limitations

• The vertical range is limited to between 147 and 4.64 hPa, excluding the troposphere and higher stratosphere.
• Spatial resolution of 4°x5° may be too coarse for regional-scale atmospheric process studies.
• Data quality and interpretation require consulting the specific MLS Version 4 Quality Document, indicating potential complexities for new users.

Provenance

Source

Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instrument on NASA's Aura satellite, processed and archived by the Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC).

Collection Method

Derived from radiances measured by the 640 GHz radiometer, processed to Level 3 monthly binned products.

Time Range

August 2004 to current.

Freshness

Updated monthly with data coverage to current.

Geography

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