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Sensitivity Studies for Space-Based Global Measurements of Atmospheric Carbon DioxideCarbon dioxide (CO2) is well known as the primary forcing agent of global warming. Although the climate forcing due to CO2 is well known, the sources and sinks of CO2 are not well understood. Currently the lack of global atmospheric CO2 observations limits our ability to diagnose the global carbon budget (e.g., finding the so-called "missing sink") and thus limits our ability to understand past climate change and predict future climate response. Space-based techniques are being developed to make high-resolution and high-precision global column CO2 measurements. One of the proposed techniques utilizes the passive remote sensing of Earth's reflected solar radiation at the weaker vibration-rotation band of CO2 in the near infrared (approx. 1.57 micron). We use a line-by-line radiative transfer model to explore the potential of this method. Results of sensitivity studies for CO2 concentration variation and geophysical conditions (i.e., atmospheric temperature, surface reflectivity, solar zenith angle, aerosol, and cirrus cloud) will be presented. We will also present sensitivity results for an O2 A-band (approx. 0.76 micron) sensor that will be needed along with CO2 to make surface pressure and cloud height measurements.
Document ID
20020021959
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Mao, Jian-Ping
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Kawa, S. Randolph
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Bhartia, P. K.
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2001
Subject Category
Environment Pollution
Meeting Information
Meeting: 2001 AGU Fall Meeting
Location: San Francisco, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: December 10, 2001
End Date: December 14, 2001
Sponsors: American Geophysical Union
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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