Using GOME NO2 satellite data to examine regional differences in TOMCAT model performance

[摘要] This paper compares column measurements ofNO₂ made by the GOME instrument on ERS-2 to modelresults from the TOMCAT global CTM. The overall correlationbetween the model and observations is good (0.79 for thewhole world, and 0.89 for North America) but the modelledcolumns are larger than GOME over polluted areas (gradient of 1.4 forNorth America and 1.9 for Europe). NO₂ columns in theregion of outflow from North America into the Atlanticare higher in winter in the model compared to the GOME results,whereas the modelled columns are smaller off the coast of Africawhere there appear to be biomass burning plumes in the satellite data.Several hypotheses are presented to explain thesediscrepancies. Weaknesses in the model treatment of verticalmixing and chemistry appear to be the most likely explanations.

[学科分类] 大气科学