Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
AMT
Articles | Volume 9, issue 8
Articles | Volume 9, issue 8
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-3999-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-3999-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Articles | Volume 9, issue 8
Research article
 | 
23 Aug 2016
Research article |  | 23 Aug 2016

Validation and analysis of MOPITT CO observations of the Amazon Basin

M. N. Deeter, S. Martínez-Alonso, L. V. Gatti, M. Gloor, J. B. Miller, L. G. Domingues, and C. S. C. Correia

Abstract. We analyze satellite retrievals of carbon monoxide from the MOPITT (Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere) instrument over the Amazon Basin, focusing on the MOPITT Version 6 "multispectral" retrieval product (exploiting both thermal-infrared and near-infrared channels). Validation results based on in situ vertical profiles measured between 2010 and 2013 are presented for four sites in the Amazon Basin. Results indicate a significant negative bias in retrieved lower-tropospheric CO concentrations. The possible influence of smoke aerosol as a source of retrieval bias is investigated using collocated Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) aerosol optical depth (AOD) measurements at two sites but does not appear to be significant. Finally, we exploit the MOPITT record to analyze both the mean annual cycle and the interannual variability of CO over the Amazon Basin since 2002.

How to cite. Deeter, M. N., Martínez-Alonso, S., Gatti, L. V., Gloor, M., Miller, J. B., Domingues, L. G., and Correia, C. S. C.: Validation and analysis of MOPITT CO observations of the Amazon Basin, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 3999–4012, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-3999-2016, 2016.
Received: 20 Apr 2016 – Discussion started: 26 Apr 2016 – Revised: 29 Jul 2016 – Accepted: 02 Aug 2016 – Published: 23 Aug 2016
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Short summary
Satellite methods allow biomass burning emissions to be accurately quantified with high spatial and temporal resolution. With that ultimate goal, we analyze satellite retrievals of carbon monoxide from the MOPITT instrument over the Amazon Basin. Validation results for four Amazonian sites indicate a significant negative bias in retrieved lower-tropospheric CO concentrations. The interannual variability of biomass burning emissions from 2000 to 2015 is also studied using the MOPITT record.
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