Total ozone columns from the environmental trace gases monitoring instrument (EMI) using the DOAS method

Abstract

Global measurements of total ozone are necessary to evaluate ozone hole recovery above Antarctica. The Environmental Trace Gases Monitoring Instrument (EMI) onboard GaoFen 5, launched in May 2018, was developed to measure and monitor the global total ozone column (TOC) and distributions of other trace gases. In this study, some of the first global TOC results of the EMI using the differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) method and validation with ground-based TOC measurements and data derived from Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) observations are presented. Results show that monthly average EMI TOC data had a similar spatial distribution and a high correlation coefficient (R ≥ 0.99) with both OMI and TROPOMI TOC. Comparisons with ground-based measurements from the World Ozone and Ultraviolet Radiation Data Centre also revealed strong correlations (R > 0.9). Continuous zenith sky measurements from zenith scattered light differential optical absorption spectroscopy instruments in Antarctica were also used for validation (R = 0.9). The EMI-derived observations were able to account for the rapid change in TOC associated with the sudden stratospheric warming event in October 2019; monthly average TOC in October 2019 was 45% higher compared to October 2018. These results indicate that EMI TOC derived using the DOAS method is reliable and has the potential to be used for global TOC monitoring.