Tropospheric NO ₂ retrieval algorithm for geostationary satellite instruments: applications to GEMS

Abstract. In this study, we develop an advanced retrieval algorithm for tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from the geostationary satellite instruments and apply it to Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) observations. Overall, the algorithm follows previous heritage for the polar-orbiting satellites Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment-2 (GOME-2) and Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), but several improvements are implemented to account for specific features of geostationary satellites. The DLR GEMS NO2 retrieval employs an extended fitting window compared to the current fitting window used in GEMS operational v2.0 NO2 retrieval, which results in improved spectral fit quality and lower uncertainties. For the stratosphere–troposphere separation in GEMS measurements, two methods are developed and evaluated: (1) STRatospheric Estimation Algorithm from Mainz (STREAM) as used in the DLR TROPOMI NO2 retrieval and adapted to GEMS and (2) estimation of stratospheric NO2 columns from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) Integrated Forecast System (IFS) cycle 48R1 model data, which introduce full stratospheric chemistry as it will be used in the operational Sentinel-4 NO2 retrieval. While STREAM provides hourly estimates of stratospheric NO2, it has limitations in describing small-scale variations and exhibits systematic biases near the boundary of the field of view. In this respect, the use of estimated stratospheric NO2 columns from the CAMS forecast model profile demonstrates better applicability by describing not only diurnal variation but also small-scale variations. For the improved air mass factor (AMF) calculation, sensitivity tests are performed using different input data. In our algorithm, cloud fractions retrieved from the Optical Cloud Recognition Algorithm (OCRA) adapted to GEMS level 1 data are applied instead of the GEMS v2.0 cloud fraction. OCRA is used operationally in TROPOMI and Sentinel-4. Compared to the GEMS level 2 cloud fraction which is typically set to around 0.1 for clear-sky scenes, OCRA sets cloud fractions close to or at 0. The OCRA-based cloud corrections result in increased tropospheric AMFs and decreased tropospheric NO2 vertical columns, leading to better agreement with results from existing TROPOMI observations. The effects of surface albedo on GEMS tropospheric NO2 retrievals are assessed by comparing the GEMS v2.0 background surface reflectance (BSR) and TROPOMI Lambertian-equivalent reflectivity (LER) climatology v2.0 product. The differences between the two surface albedo products and their impact on tropospheric AMF are particularly pronounced over snow/ice scenes during winter. A priori NO2 profiles from the CAMS forecast model, applied in the DLR GEMS algorithm, effectively capture variations in NO2 concentrations throughout the day with high spatial resolution and the advanced chemical mechanism, which demonstrates its suitability for geostationary satellite measurements. The retrieved DLR GEMS tropospheric NO2 columns show good capability for capturing hotspot signals at the scale of city clusters and describe spatial gradients from city centres to surrounding areas. Diurnal variations of tropospheric NO2 columns over Asia are well described through hourly sampling of GEMS. Evaluation of DLR GEMS tropospheric NO2 columns against TROPOMI v2.4 and GEMS v2.0 operational products shows overall good agreement. The uncertainty of DLR GEMS tropospheric NO2 vertical columns varies based on observation scenarios. In regions with low pollution levels such as open-ocean and remote rural areas, retrieval uncertainties typically range from 10 % to 50 %, primarily due to uncertainties in slant columns. For heavily polluted regions, uncertainties in tropospheric NO2 columns are mainly driven by errors in tropospheric AMF calculations. Notably, the total uncertainty in GEMS tropospheric NO2 columns is most significant in winter, particularly over heavily polluted regions with low-level clouds below or near the NO2 peak.