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The MLS CH3CN Product

Contact: Michelle Santee


Basic Information

CH3CN is a long-lived pollutant whose atmospheric source is, primarily, biomass burning.
CH3CN Molecule visualization


How it is part of MLS Science Objectives

One of the MLS objectives is to quantify aspects of how pollution affects chemistry of the upper troposphere and stratosphere, with consequent effects on climate and ozone layer stability. CH3CN is a long-lived pollutant whose atmospheric source is, primarily, biomass burning. The MLS CH3CN data will help quantify the extent to which biomass burning might affect upper troposphere and stratosphere chemistry.


How EOS MLS measures CH3CN


The standard methyl cyanide product is taken from the 640 GHz (Core+R4A) retrieval.


CH3CN Information from the Spectroscopy Database


Quick Prouduct Information for data version v3.3

In v3.3, MLS CH3CN data are deemed scientifically useful over the range 46 to 1 hPa, except in the winter polar vortex regions, where they may exhibit large biases below 10 hPa. In addition, the data at lower retrieval levels (i.e., higher pressures) may be used with caution in certain circumstances; please consult with the MLS Science Team for further guidance.

  • Swath Name: CH3CN
  • Vertical Resolution: ~5-6km in lower stratosphere
    ~7-8 km in the upper stratosphere
  • Useful Range: 46 - 1.0 hPa
  • DAAC Short Name: ML2CH3CN
  • Precision: +/-100 pptv at 1.0 and 147 hPa
    +/- 50 pptv at 1.5-100 hPa
  • Quality Threshold: 1.4


v3.3 CH3CN Averaging Kernel
CH3CN averaging kernel diagrams

colored lines are individual kernels; thick dashed line is full width at half maximum, thick solid is integrated kernel value



Publications related to the MLS CH3CN data product

2011

  1. Pumphrey, H.C., "Microwave Limb Sounder observations of biomass-burning products from the Australian bush fires of February 2009", vol doi:10.5194/acp-11-6285-2011, num 11, pgs. 2, 2011. Reprint Preprint

2006

  1. Cofield, R.E., "Design and field-of-view calibration of 114-660 GHz optics of the Earth Observing System Microwave Limb Sounder", num 44, pgs. no. 5, 2006. Preprint

2004

  1. Livesey, N.J., "Enhancements in lower stratospheric CH3CN observed by UARS MLS fillowing boreal forest fires", vol doi:10.1029/2003JD004055, num 109, 2004. Preprint

2001

  1. Livesey, N.J., "Stratospheric CH3CN from the UARS Microwave Limb Sounder", num 28, 2001. Preprint


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