Ozone Monitoring Techniques Continue to Advance, Researchers Report

Ozone Monitoring Techniques Continue to Advance, Researchers Report
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Aug 30, 2024

The troposphere, the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, extends from the surface up to approximately eight miles and contains about 10% of the planet's ozone. This ozone portion, significantly impacted by human activities, plays a crucial role in the formation of smog, which poses serious health risks, as highlighted by an international research team led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

The team recently conducted an evaluation of current tropospheric ozone monitoring capabilities, outlining progress, challenges, and proposing future directions. Their findings were published on Aug. 2 in the 'Journal of Remote Sensing'.

Ozone in the troposphere primarily results from nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, which are byproducts of human activities such as burning fossil fuels. These substances not only contribute to climate change but also are linked to respiratory diseases, similar to the effects of particulate matter 2.5, another climate change-related pollutant.

To monitor ozone levels in the troposphere, researchers either take direct measurements at specific locations on the Earth's surface or employ remote sensing techniques using sensors attached to satellites, airplanes, or weather balloons. While direct measurements provide accuracy, they lack the ability to encompass broader atmospheric conditions. This limitation is akin to measuring the temperature of a rock without understanding the surrounding environment.

"We reviewed the current observation techniques and retrieval algorithms, analyzed their development trend and identified areas needing improvement," said co-corresponding author Jian Xu, professor with the National Space Science Center, CAS. "Our goal was to highlight the limitations of existing methods and propose a few potential technological solutions for more accurate remote sensing of tropospheric ozone from space."

The researchers emphasized that remote sensing remains the most effective method for monitoring ozone. Significant advancements in instruments and data processing techniques have occurred and will continue to progress. Co-corresponding author Husi Letu, a professor at the Aerospace Information Research Institute, CAS, emphasized the importance of better instrument calibration and standardized analysis approaches to advance the field.

"Recent advancements in satellite observation techniques and retrieval algorithms for tropospheric ozone have significantly improved in terms of product accuracy and spatial resolution/coverage," Letu said. "These developments are essential for better air quality management and effective pollution control, highlighting the importance of continued innovation in this field."

The team also recommended future research should focus on refining combined active and passive sensing methods, and integrating physics-based and machine learning retrieval algorithms.

Other contributors to the research include Zhuo Zhang, Lanlan Rao, Gegen Tana, Wenyu Wang, Shuanghui Liu, Entao Shi, Yongmei Wang, Xiaolong Dong, and Jiancheng Shi from the National Space Science Center, CAS, with additional affiliations including the Key Laboratory of Microwave Remote Sensing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Space Environment Exploration, and the University of CAS. Additional collaborators included Yapeng Wang from the National Satellite Meteorological Center, China Meteorological Administration, Chong Shi and Liangfu Chen from the Aerospace Information Research Institute, CAS, and Songyan Zhu from the University of Edinburgh.

The research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Open Fund of Innovation Center for FengYun Meteorological Satellite, FengYun Application Pioneering Project, and the National Civilian Space Infrastructure Project.

Research Report:Remote Sensing of Tropospheric Ozone from Space: Progress and Challenges