References

ACP

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics

ACP

1680-7324

Copernicus GmbH

Göttingen, Germany

10.5194/acp-9-3043-2009

Assessing temporal clear-sky errors in assimilation of satellite CO2 retrievals using a global transport model

Corbin

K. D.

¹ Denning

A. S.

¹ Parazoo

N. C.

Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

12 05 2009

9 9 3043 3048

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The Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) and the Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) will make global observations of the total column dry-air mole fraction of atmospheric CO2 (XCO2) starting in 2008. Although satellites have global coverage, XCO2 retrievals will be made only a few times each month over a given location and will only be sampled in clear conditions. Modelers will use XCO2 in atmospheric inversions to estimate carbon sources and sinks; however, if satellite measurements are used to represent temporal averages, modelers may incur temporal sampling errors. We investigate these errors using a global transport model. Temporal sampling errors vary with time and location, exhibit spatially coherent patterns, and are greatest over land and during summer. These errors often exceed 1 ppm and must be addressed in a data assimilation system by correct simulation of synoptic CO2 variations associated with cloud systems.

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