SBUV2N18L3zm: NOAA-18 Ozone Profile and Column Monthly Zonal Means

SBUV2/NOAA-18 Ozone (O3) Profile and Total Column Ozone 1 Month Zonal Mean L3 Global 5.0 degree Latitude Zones V1 (SBUV2N18L3zm) is a Level-3 satellite-derived dataset from the GES DISC. It provides 90 months of processed ozone data from July 2005 through December 2012, averaged into 36 five-degree latitude bands. The dataset includes ozone profile data at 21 pressure layers and mixing ratios at 15 layers, generated using the v8.6 SBUV algorithm with specific quality screening criteria.

Use Cases

• Analyzing long-term stratospheric ozone trends based on 90 months of processed satellite observations.
• Studying latitudinal (zonal) distribution of ozone using data averaged across 36 five-degree latitude bands.
• Validating atmospheric chemistry and climate models with profile data from 21 pressure layers.
• Investigating ozone mixing ratios in the upper atmosphere using data from 15 specific pressure levels.

Strengths

• Provides a continuous 7.5-year time series covering 90 months from July 2005 to December 2012.
• Offers spatially resolved data across 36 five-degree latitude zones, enabling hemispheric analysis.
• Includes detailed vertical structure with ozone profiles at 21 pressure layers and mixing ratios at 15 layers.
• Employs a defined quality screening protocol based on error flags to ensure data reliability.

Limitations

• Metadata completeness is low; column names, row counts, and exact data size are not provided.
• The 'last updated' metadata conflicts between sources (2012 vs. 2026), creating uncertainty about data currency.
• Some profiles have 20 layers instead of 21, indicating potential inconsistencies in data reporting.

Provenance

Source

GES_DISC (NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center)

Collection Method

Derived from Level-2 retrieved ozone profiles using the v8.6 Solar Backscattered Ultraviolet (SBUV) algorithm on NOAA-18 satellite data.

Time Range

July 2005 through December 2012

Freshness

2026-04-09 22:30:35.497032

Geography

Global, binned into 5-degree latitude zones (36 bands total)