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P18: Retrieval of tropospheric ozone from space

 

Supervisor: Prof Dr. J. P. Burrows (Uni-HB/IUP)

Co-Supervisor: Dr. Annette Ladstätter-Weißenmayer (Uni-HB/IUP)

Related Partners: Dr. Andreas Richter (Uni-HB/IUP), Dr. Mark Weber (Uni-HB/IUP), Dr. Christian von Savigny (Uni-HB/IUP)

 


 

Tropospheric ozone distribution retrieved from measurements of the GOME instrument. The enhanced ozone of the coast of Africa is mainly the result of NOx and VOC emissions from biomass burning with some contributions of stratospheric influx.

Ozone is an important trace gas in the atmosphere, both in the stratosphere where it forms a protecting layer against harmful UV radiation from the sun and in the troposphere, where it is involved in the removal of reactive trace gases from the atmosphere. As result of anthropogenic emissions, mainly of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and hydrocarbons, ozone concentrations have been rising to levels where ozone becomes dangerous for human health (ozone smog). In addition, ozone is a potent greenhouse gas and contributes to radiative forcing in the troposphere.

Using measurements from satellite based spectrometers, ozone columns and profiles in the atmosphere can be determined using UV/visible absorption spectroscopy. This technique can provide very accurate total columns but the separation of the tropospheric ozone amounts is challenging and has so far mainly be applied in tropical regions. In this PhD, data from the GOME. SCIAMACHY and GOME-2 satellite instruments will be used to derive tropospheric ozone columns and to study the spatial and temporal distribution of ozone in the troposphere. One important aspect of the thesis will be to make use of the unique capability of SCIAMACHY to observe the same air mass twice, first in limb and then in nadir geometry within a time period of several minutes. The satellite data will also be compared to sonde measurements for validation.

 


 

Working on this topic demands a very good knowledge of (theoretical and experimental) physics and mathematics and experience in at least one high level programming language. The ideal candidate also has good knowledge in atmospheric physics and chemistry, spectroscopy, atmospheric radiative transfer and inversion theory.

 

For further information or question please contact:
Dr. Annette Ladstätter-Weißenmayer
Institut für Umweltphysik (IUP)
University of Bremen, FB1
D-28334 Bremen, Germany
Otto Hahn Allee 1
Phone: +49 (0)421 218-3526
E-mail: [email protected]

 

Related links: http://www.iup.uni-bremen.de/doas/

 

          Please indicate project P18, when applying for this topic.

 

 


 
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